Shipping a Bike Box Europe to Australia

[Shredden]

Hey guys, I'm heading to Europe and thinking I'll do a month of riding / relaxing up in the French alps. I'm then continuing on for another month or two on non-MTB related stuff.

Very undecided what to do regarding a bike. I don't want to drag one around with me after the riding trip finishes. I don't currently own a bike of my own (riding a shop loaner which I'll have to give back) so either way I need to buy a new bike. This leaves me with 2 main options, I think:

1. Buy a nice new bike over there, ride it for a month and ship it back to Aus.
2. Buy an average used bike over there ride it for a month and then try to sell it again a little cheaper.

Has anyone got first-hand experience shipping a bike box from Europe (I'll be in France but headed to the UK afterward so could ship from there) to Australia and can share what it cost them? CRC seems to ship new bikes for $200 which would be great, but unsure if this sort of pricing is available to consumers.

Keen to if anyone has first hand experience here - otherwise I'll look at getting a few quotes.

Cheers!

 

[kten]

Option one every time.

Bring an empty bike bag with you though.

 

[safreek]

Can't help with shipping info but I found s perfect bike for you

VTT DH ENDURO FREERIDE

Bonjours à tous, je mets en vente ce VTT DH descente enduro freeride monté à la carte ; Cadre Vario techno Fourche double T Rockshox boxxer (Valeur 1200 euros) Amortisseur Rockshox Pearl 2.1...

www.facebook.com

 

[Jabubu]

I'd probably go for number 1 too only because there's no guarantee you'll sell a bike before you leave.

But so many great UK bikes to choose from that aren't readily available or have a hefty markup here like Stanton, Orange, Bird, Atherton, Hope and Pace.

 

[Shredden]

Option one every time.

Bring an empty bike bag with you though.

Option 1's the preference, but not if I'm gonna get reamed like a grand for shipping :/

Can't help with shipping info but I found s perfect bike for you

VTT DH ENDURO FREERIDE

Bonjours à tous, je mets en vente ce VTT DH descente enduro freeride monté à la carte ; Cadre Vario techno Fourche double T Rockshox boxxer (Valeur 1200 euros) Amortisseur Rockshox Pearl 2.1...

www.facebook.com

Yep and I'll mail it back to you! Right up your alley.

 

[leitch]

Option 1 for sure. Claim the VAT back when you leave and use it to pay the excess baggage charge.

 

[Tubbsy]

Find somewhere at or near an airport and pay to store it there, bring back as excess baggage.

As others have said, go over with a bike bag so you're 'bringing back' the bike you brought with you from oz...

 

[ForkinGreat]

Find somewhere at or near an airport and pay to store it there, bring back as excess baggage.

As others have said, go over with a bike bag so you're 'bringing back' the bike you brought with you from oz...

& Fill the bike bag with all the parts you need to fit to your shiny new frame

 

[pink poodle]

Don't ship the bike back home, take it as your checked luggage. Find a courier that will take it to your departure airport and hold it for you. I use a service like this in Japan and it is ace.

 

[ozzybmx]

Option 1 for sure. Claim the VAT back when you leave and use it to pay the excess baggage charge.

Ask the shop to give you a VAT refund form, then claim the VAT at the booth at the airport on leaving the UK.

Make sure the bike is clean but used... a couple of well places tacky stickers doesn't hurt in making it look used.

If declared on arriving back in Aus, you will pay GST

 

[wesdadude]

Last time I looked into shipping back a bike I ended up lugging it around and taking it on the plane. Pre-paid excess luggage was much cheaper and it seems couriers/shipping companies are more interested in businesses.