Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

As a new DHBC member, I thought I'd make my first contribution to the forums. Today my SRAM Force grouppo finally arrived (compact 175 cranks, 11-26 cassette). I ordered it 3 weeks ago from totalcycling.com but, because it was over $1000, customs siezed it.

For complete bikes, frames and forks, you have to pay a 5% duty. Most parts are exempt (under point 8714 of Schedule 3 of the Customs Tarrif Act 1995), but you still have to pay GST and a $48 Customs handling fee (plus whatever your time is worth). Be warned.







The grouppo looks pretty nice and is light, at around 2107g. Unfortunately, there's a scratch on the rear brake caliper. I'm debating whether to return it: on one hand, who cares; on the other hand, you're paying all this money, so you might as well not get a scratched one, right? Also, what's with all the packaging?



I also lucked into a nice UVEX Anna Meares mouse pad. Cool!

Looks nice, i wouldn't worry about the scratch, not too big and won't effect performance, plus sending the caliper back would cost money. Don't forget to post photo's of the bike when it's built up.

Sometimes you can get expensive stuff past customs, but it depends on who sends it (the value they put on the customs form), and the shipping company.

I have been caught previously when i was sent a groupset i bought from USA by UPS, and they seem to make sure you pay everything. So i'd advise if at all possible, avoid shipping by Fedex or UPS, as they generally cost more, and make sure you pay customs of some sort.

I'm considering SRAM fro my next road bike, I'll be interested in what you think of it. Be sure to post a report once you have the bike built up. What frame are you building on?

It's a custom Jim Bundy, 57.5 x 57cm c-c, built with Columbus Neuron. Fully lugged with internal cable routing for the rear brake, 1" threadless steerer with externally crown on the steel fork, plus an additional carbon fork.

















Right now it's at Star Enamellers, getting the magical treatment by Peter. Something along these lines, but with black seat/tape.

Ooo la la!

Hi All,

Just in regards to what has been posted, I just want to clarify a couple of things. Bikes do attract a 5% duty rate in the Customs tariif under Schedule 3, however there is a tariff concession in Sch.4 which can be used when the goods are entered. The concession basically readys :

BICYCLES
Op. 18.06.01 Dec. date 31.08.01 - TC 0104891 50

This means they would be Duty Free as long as the concession is used. It is true that anything over a customs value of AUD 1000.00 that you have to pay Duty & GST on the Imported Goods. Saying that, if you brought in a shipment that makes a complete bike, ( including all the components ) it should be entered as one line being a bike making it duty free.

The frame/forks do attract 5% duty, whereas items such as brakes, pedals, gears,saddles are duty free. Also to be aware of is that GST on the Imported Goods is 10% and is calculated on the cost of goods, overseas freight & insurance plus any duties paid.

Just for your information, be aware that Australian Customs can do random document checks so if you have put in a lower value to avoid paying duties that they can ask for evidence of payment.

Thanks

Andres

Customs problems can be avoided by splitting the purchase into two packages, each under $1,000 AUD and sending them on different days.

I recently saw a similar Jim Bundy paint scheme, except it was white where you have black. A really stunning bike. I'd say this one will look as good.

Be careful with splitting the shipments. I recently had a customer who tried to do this on a parcel post shipment and got caught out by Customs. The customer was advised to pay duty & taxes before they released the shipment.


Andres

I rang Customs and asked whether splitting shipment was permitted. I was told that it was both commonly done, and completely acceptable. I have since heard that there could be issues where the two packages can be treated as one consignment if they arrive in Customs on the same day, but if they arrive on separate days, Customs won't have any issues.

You could do that as long as they arrived on seperate flights and had two seperate orders. The only thing you would have to factor in is shipping cost and customs clearance fees. Would it be worth doing it that way with the additional costs involved?

I rang Customs and asked whether splitting shipment was permitted. I was told that it was both commonly done, and completely acceptable. I have since heard that there could be issues where the two packages can be treated as one consignment if they arrive in Customs on the same day, but if they arrive on separate days, Customs won't have any issues.

Correct. My Record gruppo was sent from the US in two packages, separated by quite a few days apart. It was initiated by the mail-order store without me prompting. Free shipping for both packages.

I'm waiting to see if the rest of the components get lumped with another order, from two separate online vendors. Fingers crossed.

The paint job is actually a sort-of dark khaki and a champagne kinda colour, with the red strip between.

Peter's work is so good, I'm sure he'll make it look nice.

He paints 180 frames a week. It's amazing any of them look nice! I've had a frame sitting in his shop for nearly a year, because he's so busy. That's a special job though, and I'm in no rush, so I figure it's gonna be worth the wait.

Your paint job reminds me of something.

Was this your inspiration?

Lots of similar ones here.

Yep, but crossed with the colours of a Murray Cod.

And, there's no way he paints 180 frames a week!

6 days a week, 30 frames a day...

Is that what he told you? Every time I've been to his workshop, he's had no more than 60 frames in the whole place! Given that it often takes months to get a frame painted, I can't possibly see how he's doing 30 a day - especially with the quality of the work he's producing.

It's not that I don't believe you, I'm just very surprised. I'll ask him on Monday and see what he says...

Picked up my new frame (plus one steel and one carbon fork) today. Peter told me he paints about 6 frames a week, depending on how much motocycle work he's got on. More photos here.

motorcycle work?
does he paint motorbikes?

Mostly small panels and tanks for vintage rides.

oh ok, i have a dream of a bulldogs paint job, ill have to get in contact with him..

bulldogs paint job

oh dear.

The bike is finished.

Nice!

Did you consider a chain stay protector to avoid chain damage? Some thick clear tape works well.

Looks very nice!!

Just remove those valve caps!! I'm also not sure about that non standard rear brake cable routing, but i'd have to see it in person, as i'm probably missing something. (i'm also being extremely picky to find anything i don't like)