Advice needed on bringing a bike home from the USA

ilikesleeves

I'm lucky enough to be going to Colorado in September for a few weeks. So while I'm out there I'm going to get a good bit of mountain biking in. Rather than throw money at a rental big for two weeks I'm gonna try pick something up out there either new or second hand and bring it back.

Some people have advised me to bring a clunker out with me in a bike bag and ditch it to bring the "new" bike home to avoid customs, has anyone any experience with this? Any advice would be great!!

slap/dash

never had an issue with customs, but you might have to pay extra baggage for oversized. check with airline. the bike box might be a good idea though

unichall

Once the bike isn't in showroom condition bringing it back how are customs to know its new?

I cant see you having much trouble, a 'friend' brought back golf clubs before having used them for a few rounds, wasnt even stopped, how are they to know?

Inquitus

Aye just cover it in muck and all will be grand.

bazermc

. This is not a forum to get advice on tax evasion

ballyharpat

Well since you are not doing it to evade tax, just to save money by not having to pay for a rental, it's not illegal. I brought back my bike from the USA in the original bike box-cardboard. I did get the bike shop to pack it for me though...... A lot of airlines will not charge you extra to bring the bike. Go out, buy your bike, ride it like you stole it, box it up and bring it home, no problem.....

ilikesleeves

bazermc wrote: »

. This is not a forum to get advice on tax evasion

Thanks for the input, you sound like a fun person!

ilikesleeves

ballyharpat wrote: »

Well since you are not doing it to evade tax, just to save money by not having to pay for a rental, it's not illegal.

Do you think it's overkill so to bring out a dumpable bike on the outgoing flight just so it's marked on my baggage or whatever?

Squidgy Black

Bringing a cheap bike would be way too much hassle. I assume you're flying with Aer Lingus? If so there's a charge for bikes. My Da's a baggage handler, and I've flown a couple of times with bikes. He says the best thing to do is just deflate the tires and turn the handlebars sideways, and then you stick it in a cardboard box. Everything's stuck into large cargo bins anyways instead of loose in the hull so it'll be fine.

ballyharpat

ilikesleeves wrote: »

Do you think it's overkill so to bring out a dumpable bike on the outgoing flight just so it's marked on my baggage or whatever?

Yeah man, deffo overkill, sure it could be a used bike you're picking up out there, or a gift from a cousin, it will deffo be used by the time you're bringing it home....

ford2600

ballyharpat wrote: »

Yeah man, deffo overkill, sure it could be a used bike you're picking up out there, or a gift from a cousin, it will deffo be used by the time you're bringing it home....

It's the the only scenario where it's ok no to wash your mtb after a ride.

ilikesleeves

ford2600 wrote: »

It's the the only scenario where it's ok no to wash your mtb after a ride.

hahaha!!