I recently imported a bike from the UK (while visiting there)
I received 17 1/2 % VAT refund and paid about 10% of the cost on
getting back to Australia.This was not just GST. Ride the bike once
O/S so as to get depreciation.
I had previously emailed customs for more details prior to leaving
Australia (& only an approximate price for the bike) and they were
extremely helpful. They had the import costs correct to the dollar.
The whole process was not nearly as painful as I thought - claiming
back the VAT was only 15 minutes in line at Heathrow (it is next to
the fast-track lane in terminal 4) and most of that time was waiting
in line.
Having done it once - I would have no hesitation in doing it again -
the price of bike both i the UK and US is much cheaper than here.


On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 01:06:16 +1000, "DRS"
wrote:

"Stomper" wrote in message


[...]

You would have to pay GST of 10% but that's possibly less than the
loc al taxes you may have paid - and may be able to have refunded as
you export the bike?

Anyone know the specifics?

It's all on the Customs web site.

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?