How to Import a Bicycle

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

Bicycles are a great way to get around, but sometimes the best bicycles are not sold in your country. You may wonder how you can import a bike from another country to your home without breaking the bank. One option is to the import the bike through a service, but you can also choose to import the bike yourself.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Importing the Bike Through a Bike Shipping Service

1
Determine the legal requirements for importing the bike. Start by looking up the legality around importing a bike from a foreign country to your country. Your country will have specific guidelines around what you can import into the country. Make sure you are legally able to import a bike to your location.^{[1]
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- You can also find detailed information about importing personal items like bikes on your country’s Custom and Border Protection’s website.
2
Search for a bike shipping service online. There are several bike shipping services that you can hire to make importing the bicycle easy. Services like Luggage Forward and BikeFlights can box and ship the bike through the mail or by air. UPS also offers a by-mail option for shipping bikes for a fee.^{[2]
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- Do some research and look up several bike shipping services online. Read testimonials on their website to ensure they are reliable and trustworthy. Make sure their pricing is within your budget.
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3
Arrange for the service to get the bike. Most shipping services will offer to pick up the bicycle for you and ship it. If you are buying the bicycle from a dealer online, have the dealer ship the bike through the service, or to your address directly. If you are importing the bicycle yourself, see if you can get the service to get it from you to ship.^{[3]
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- The service will likely be able to break the bike down for you so it is easier to ship. Contact the service directly to find out more.
4
Pay the service to import the bike. The cost of importing the bike will depend on the size and weight of the bike as well as the import fees for your country. A standard bike can cost between $150 and $200 to import. The shipping service should let you know all fees and costs upfront.^{[4]
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- Once you pay the service, they will give you a timeline of when you can expect the bike to arrive. You can also track the bike in the mail. It usually takes at least five to seven business days for the bike to arrive to an international destination.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Importing the Bike Yourself by Mail or Air

1
Check the legal requirements for importing bikes. Before you try importing the bike yourself, look up the legality around importing bikes to your country. Most countries allow you to import bicycles as long as they are subject to a safety inspection at the border. You may also not be able to import bicycles from certain countries, based on the rules around importing and shipping in your country.^{[5]
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- You can also look at your country’s Customs and Border Protection website for more information.
2
Decide if you are going to ship by air or by ground. Shipping a bike by air is often done if you are also flying from the country and want to fly the bike with you. Shipping by ground is more common and may be easier to do if you are importing the bike from afar. It may also be cheaper to ship the bike by mail.
- If you are buying the bike from a foreign bike dealer, ask them if they’d suggest shipping by air or by ground. They may be able to advise the easiest option for you.
3
Get a shipping box for the bike. You will need to package the bicycle so it can be shipped or flown to your country. You can purchase cardboard boxes made for bicycle parts at your local bike shop or post office.^{[6]
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- You can also invest in bike travel cases made of durable plastic. A bike travel case may be a good idea if you plan to ship the bike again or travel with it in the future.
4
Pay the importing costs. You will need to pay the importing costs for bringing the bike into your country. The import fees may be a percentage of the total cost of the bike, usually around 4-5%. You can find the exact import fee costs by contacting the Customs and Borders Protection department in your country.^{[7]
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