I am thinking about importing a used bike into the US and wondering if I would have to pay import tax (and what the rate would be).
I live in the US and a bike that I had there got stolen some time ago. I am currently visiting family in Europe and considering to bring back an old road bike. I bought that bike a few years back second hand in the UK while I was living there. I paid cash, so I have no receipt or any proof of how much it is worth.
My question is, aside from the 90 or so dollars that I'll pay to the airline to transport sports equipment, how much should I expect US customs to charge me? How do they determine the value if I can't prove it?
Is it considered a Household or Personal Effect?
According to this page houshold effects are free to import as long as I have "used them for at least one year while abroad." That does apply to the bike, although I wouldn't know how to prove it. Or is it considered a "vehicle", because that rule doesn't apply to vehicles. Bikes are not specifically listed here at all, and I was unable to find any specific policy on the official CBP sites.
Any help from people more knowledgeable about these rules, or others' experiences would be much appreciated.
