Import or not?

[scud]

Okay, I've been watching and learning loads for a while now... what an ace forum! The time has finally cometh when I can celebrate my divorce with a brand new twin spark 1150GS!! but would like to save what pennies I can. (more toys for afters!!!)
I've heard loads of people say "buy abroad, save £1,000's!" but how does it work?
If I don't pay the VAT in say, Belgium, but pay it in the UK, how can I save any money? Is there a better/worse country to buy it in? Is the reality of going abroad, paying for flights/ferries, stopping over, riding god knows how far...(the journey will be a joy, I know!) , paying this tax and that, registration fees etc, really make a difference to just popping down the local dealer and swiping the plastic? Should I just buy the bike "bare" then the accessories separately?
I have spoken to a few dealers, who say they don't really bother anymore because of the exchange rates now. and only imported 2nd hand anyway..
Any advice/links on the ins and outs would be greatly appreciated....

 

[Gecko]

The basic 1150GS has a list price here of Euro 11,800 (GBP 7950) but this includes 21% Belgium VAT so what you pay here would be GBP 6570 excluding VAT then when you get back to the UK you have to declare it to HM Customs & Excise and pay 17.5% on the GBP 6570 , or GBP 1149.75 so you should be all legal in the UK for GBP 7719.75. Don't quote me on the exact amounts but I think you get the idea. You will have some extra cost perhaps a couple of hundred quid to cover transit plates, DVLA docs etc so if you budget GBP 8000 you should have a brand spanking new bike back in the UK. Bear in mind you need to get here and drive it back (ferry/Eurotunnel/petrol). New vehicle warranties are European wide so no problems on warranty.
If you buy second hand the VAT is already paid so you just need to make sure you have the certificate of EU confirmity and you can import it into the UK at no cost other than the cist of registring and road tax.
I hope this helps . I don't know how this compares to UK prices. generally BMW dealers here will either allow you a 2% cash discount or 4% in equivalent value in accesories. If you are lucky you may squeeze 3% and 6% so the price I mention above above should be worse case scenario.

 

[Gecko]

Import Adventure

New 1150GS Adventure -

The basic bike is listed as Euro 12,600 (no extras) The extras will be pretty much the same as you would pay in the UK.
Euro 12600 = GBP 8518 but this includes 21% Belgium VAT which you don't have to pay if you are exporting. so you would pay GBP 7039 being GBP 8518 minus 21% = GBP 1478.33 You then have some costs to get transit number plates and temporary insurance so reckon on GBP 250 to be sure to cover everything.
Some dealers will say they can do this for you but the will charge a lot for it which makes the whole deal far less attractive. GBP 250 quid for these costs is plenty to see you alright.
So we have 7039+250=7289 and you are on the road heading back to the UK. Then when you get back you have to pay the UK VAT at 17.5% on 7039 = 1231.83. End result GBP 8270.83 plus whatever the DVLA charges you for registration and road tax and you are finished.

How does this compare to the UK prices ?

 

[scud]

Thanks Gecko!!

A new bare advent is £8400, the GS bare is £7900 here in the UK. (on the road). ABS is £750, Heated grips is £175, panniers and rails are £400.
There doesn't seem much in it!?
www.mobile.de are showing a fully kitted GS's for £7900... is that becoz the base models are cheaper in Germany?
I heard somewhere of a guy who converted his 2001 to a twin spark... perhaps thats the way to get a twin spark bargain, ... buy abroad and convert it later.... although I don't know whats involved!!

 

[L]

Scud.. Stop farting around and just get off your arse and buy one will you!!!

Get a UK base model and ride it!!! Chances are, you won't need any extras to start with, and dealers don't like doing deals above 25% on them anyway, so you'll be better off waiting for 2nd hand deals to come up.

It'll be more fun for you to meet more GS'ers and see first hand what they've got and what they don't. You'll also be able to appreciate what you do and don't need.

So phone around some dealers, see who's got one in and who can do you the best deal and we'll go and pick it up on Saturday whilst your girls are out shopping!!! ))

 

[scud]

OUCH!!

Now that hurts!!!

Would this encouragement be forthcoming because you want a go on it????

Well, in that case we'll see whats around on Saturday!!!!

 

[Gecko]

I believe the cheapest list price before any tax is Denmark . This is because new vehicles have about 100% tax on them - yes 100% !!!! So just to be able to sell anything the list prices tend to be lower than other countries. So if you can get one to export from there you are off to a good start. If anyone has any contacts in Denmark maybe they can confirm ???

 

[luke scott]

Liv... Norway ?

If anyone has any contacts in Denmark maybe they can confirm ???

What about Liv ? I know Norway is different but its nearer than Dublin or London... Come on Liv help us.

 

[Shurv]

The tax in Denmark is even worse than that. It's actually 180%. I'd have a look on the old internurd for a danish dealer and see what you can get.



Marcus.

 

[Gecko]

Re: Liv... Norway ?

What about Liv ? I know Norway is different but its nearer than Dublin or London... Come on Liv help us.

Won't work Luke, Norway is outside the European Union so you have to deal with import duties, EU certificates of conformity and a bundle of red tape . I wouldn't recommend it. Nothing against Norway but the trick is to find a cheaper source inside the EU then moving it to another EU country is a relatively simple formality.

 

[Gecko]

The tax in Denmark is even worse than that. It's actually 180%. I'd have a look on the old internurd for a danish dealer and see what you can get.



Marcus.

Flippin heck 180% ....I need a drink I thought it was 100% and that was already outrageous.....don't think I fancy moving there then !!