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Is it possible and worth buying a BWM in USA ride it, and then ship back to UK Is it possible and worth buying a BWM in USA ride it, and then ship back to UK
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 23 Jan 2007
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Is it possible and worth buying a BWM in USA ride it, and then ship back to UK
Hi everyone,

Figured this was the best forum to post it in...

My father and I want to do a coast to coast tour of the US this summer. For this we want to buy a single BWM R1200GS Adventure (I'll be using it in 2008 for a RTW trip).

So my question to you is:

- Is it possible to buy a bike in the US without a fixed address and legally ride it for three weeks before shipping it back to the UK?

- When shipping it back to the UK, what taxes other than VAT need to be paid? I understand I'd have to put it through a MSVA test, etc...

- Finally, am I completely bonkers and should I just abandon buying the bike abroad? I'm hoping there was some savings to be had given the single shipment and the weak $ rate

Any comments and thoughts will be grately appreciated.

Thanks everyone, Ben
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  #2  
Old 23 Jan 2007
Riq Riq is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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A place to start
While I can't speak for the U.S. it is possible to buy one in Canada and if you can "borrow" an address it is even easier.

The cost in Edmonton is CA$20,000 around 8,550 pounds.

At least this gives you a starting point. Now just figure your shipping, extras and taxes (Canadian GST is 6% and all provinces other than Alberta have a sales tax ) as well as your import fees and your away.

Rick
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Old 24 Jan 2007
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Hi Rick,

Thanks for your advice... we are actually planning on going through Canada, but need to drop by Las Vegas and pick up some friends on Harley's for a week (hence the LA start).

Having said that if it makes sense financially and buying in the US isn't possible then I could be persuaded to start in Canada.

Looking at it more closely, it seems the difference between UK and US prices aren't that great. Perhaps not enough to justify the extra hassle of buying abroad.

I would be able to supply a friend's address in the US if that helps.

Ben
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