Post-Brexit - buying bike parts abroad . . (incl. Rose/DutchBikeParts)

[Stevek76]

I notice that the Rose Bikes information page about deliveries to the UK suspended contains the phrase ‘we hope to be able to ship to our UK customers soon again.’

Well they ship to other non EU countries so I don't think they have any long term plans to stop, however, given their strict interpretation of the brake situation compared to some other companies, including UK ones who will happily ship you a euro style setup they evidently have a fairly by the book legal person. As a result they're awaiting clarity on what the rules actually are.

The alternative is to go for an 'easier to ask forgiveness' approach and just carry on as is on the basis that customs won't have a clue what's going on straight away either.

[Brucey]

re Last.... perhaps Rose et al are concerned that most new machines are hydro brakes these days, and that is no 5 min job.. and even more on drop bar bikes especially those now hidden cabled as I don't think the hoses would do length wise.. WILL

I agree; hose and cable lengths are often not the same, because the hose/cable runs are set to one side of the bike, so it isn't always just a question of swapping things over. Also bleeding hydros is indeed not a five minute job, and in inadequate fill is a real safety issue (it can result in a brake that fails before the pads wear out).

In addition Rose may have taken the view that orders placed before Brexit but fulfilled after Brexit may leave them liable for additional taxes, or having to fulfil further safety obligations, all at the agreed sale price. There may be additional complications (to do with company registration) when they sell via a .co.uk website which means It is easier for them to 'just say no' until the trade deal terms are agreed and understood.

A further issue is that certain couriers have (because of covid) had major problems meeting delivery dates between the continent and the UK, and if their normal terms of business include accepting penalties for late delivery, all that may be suspended.

cheers

[the snail]

If you read what Rose actually said re brakes, it's not a technical issue, they've changed their business model.They used to offer lots of customisation options, presumably assembling the bikes in house, and they could accommodate UK style brakes within the assembly process. Now they are dropping the custom options, becoming more of a box-shifting operation. Presumably their volume of UK sales isn't big enough to justify ordering UK-spec bikes across their range, or spending extra money converting them. I doubt they would sell non-conforming bikes in the UK, that would be a law-suit waiting to happen the first time someone reached for the wrong brake and crashed.

[Bmblbzzz]

Good point about hydros.

[Bmblbzzz]

I doubt they would sell non-conforming bikes in the UK, that would be a law-suit waiting to happen the first time someone reached for the wrong brake and crashed.

That's a decent argument for worldwide standardisation, along the lines of motorcycles in the 1970s.

[Audax67]

No problems with Rose here ( ) but I'm going to miss some of the good suppliers in the UK.

[willcee]

Trek, ref euro spec brakes have been supplying exactly that for many years with any machines that are sourced directly from the republic of Ireland, this I know as being involved technically with a touring operation covering Ireland North and South and they source all their Treks south of the border, and they are USA/continental spec brake side wise, nor have I heard of any legal cases for brake involved issues, anyway it suits lot of foreign cyclists who are accustomed to left front right rear position...will

[sun ra]

Sorry if this has been asked before (and apologies in advance for asking again and coming across as the total ignoramus I must sound). I’ve dipped in and out of a few of the Brexit posts on here, read info on gov.uk site and I’m still not one hundred percent sure on where I stand as regards any extra import fees on goods from the EU.

I purchased a few cycling goods from an online German store near the beginning of December, with the aim my goods would be here before January 1st 2021. Apparently there was a delay due to the site having to fill out ‘paper work’ and now the goods won’t arrive until the 4th January. Am I correct to assume I will now get charged import fees on the said goods coming into the UK from Germany?

[Jdsk]

I'm not now expecting any fees or tariffs on that sort of goods from EU Member States.

I think that this is the correct description of the required process:
https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-import-to-great-britain-from-january-2021
(All corrections welcome.)

But there may be a transition period where some of that isn't applied.

...

Please let us know how it works out.

Jonathan

[st599_uk]

No fees or tarrifs, but an import declaration (which is time and effort) and VAT.

[Sweep]

I notice that the Rose Bikes information page about deliveries to the UK suspended contains the phrase ‘we hope to be able to ship to our UK customers soon again.’

I think the suspension of deliveries/acceptance of orders is due to the timing of the Brexit ‘agreement’. Perhaps no one is available in the holiday season to consider the terms and adjust the website/shopping cart to include the UK as a non EU overseas location?
Bike 24 similarly offers non EU postage - interestingly including to Norway - for 19.99€ instead of the 5.99€ for mainland Europe.
I think deliveries will resume but at a much increased cost and the likelihood of delays/goods lost in transit.

On postage, Rose's rates had nothing to do with us being in the EU. They varied for all sorts of countries, I presume on that most old-fashioned of factors, distance etc. The EU couldn't change basic geography, any more than I can do a day ride to the Med.
If Rose do start shipping to the UK again, I see no reason at all why more stuff should go missing en-route.
Anyone know anything about Taylor Wheels? Having just discovered them (or rather experienced them) I am kind of interested.

[Sweep]

No problems with Rose here ( ) but I'm going to miss some of the good suppliers in the UK.

Why do you think you will be denied reasonable access to UK suppliers?

[Jdsk]

On postage, Rose's rates had nothing to do with us being in the EU. They varied for all sorts of countries, I presume on that most old-fashioned of factors, distance etc. The EU couldn't change basic geography, any more than I can do a day ride to the Med.

Postage has a lot to do with politics, and good politics can overcome many barriers of distance.

Within the UK the implementation of uniform rates was a major political achievement:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Penny_Post

And internationally the Universal Postal Union was one of the earliest products of treaties that weren't related to countries killing each others citizens:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Postal_Union

If Rose do start shipping to the UK again, I see no reason at all why more stuff should go missing en-route.

I don't know how the extra bureaucracy will pan out in practice. Added delays and added steps in the process would be expected to increase losses and other failures. (That's why Lean methodology etc improves quality.)

Jonathan

[PH]

I'm not now expecting any fees or tariffs on that sort of goods from EU Member States.

I think that this is the correct description of the required process:
https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-import-to-great-britain-from-january-2021
(All corrections welcome.)

Jonathan

That link appears to be the process for trade imports, does it have any relevance to this thread?
The regulations for overseas Online Marketplaces (OMPs) was reviewed and published earlier this year, unless the agreement makes any changes to that, which I doubt, EU countries will be treated the same as any other. The main points, from memory:
The £15 VAT free concession is going (Or gone)
The VAT on parcels under £135 should be collected by the retailer, who will need to register
The VAT on parcels over £135 will be collected from the customer on delivery/collection (So expect a handling charge)
Bulk declarations (For parcels under £135) will be permitted to reduce paperwork
There's a new category for goods already in the UK, but sold by overseas OMPs (I didn't read this chapter)

We'll see what happens, as has been said, the margins can be small, it's possible the extra administration will eat away the viability. It'll take a while to settle down and for any re-adjustments to be made. I stocked up on consumables and also brought forward a couple of larger purchases, so hopefully won't need to spend much next year.

[Jdsk]

I think that this is the correct description of the required process:
https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-import-to-great-britain-from-january-2021
(All corrections welcome.)

That link appears to be the process for trade imports, does it have any relevance to this thread?

i was hesitant about that: is there any guidance on small personal imports, please?

Thanks

Jonathan