The EU bike-price worksheet: keep VAT, duty and shipping separate
“€1,000 plus shipping” is not yet a delivered price. “€1,000 including taxes” needs confirmation of which taxes and destination. Put the quote into separate lines before comparing it with an EU dealer’s ready-to-collect price.
Get the missing inputs
Record seller, exact product, origin, ship-from location, destination, invoice currency, delivery term and tax inclusions. A GRARO frameset and a complete bicycle may require different classifications. The EU Common Customs Tariff depends on product classification and origin; additional measures can matter. Get the applicable calculation from the carrier, broker or customs authority.
Calculate once per cost line
Use the confirmed import-VAT base rather than assuming VAT applies only to the frame price. The EU’s VAT guidance includes relevant duties and incidental costs in that base. Here is pure arithmetic with invented inputs: goods €1,000, shipping €100 and duty €70 make an assumed €1,170 VAT base; illustrative 20% VAT is €234, giving €1,404. Handling and assembly are not included in this example: add them only after confirming the quote and tax treatment. None of these rates or amounts is a quote for your order.
If a later-confirmed charge belongs in the import-VAT base, recalculate that base and VAT; do not simply append its pre-tax amount to the €1,404 example.
| Line | Evidence needed |
|---|---|
| Goods and delivery | Invoice quote; avoid overlapping shipping lines |
| Duty and other measures | Confirmed classification, origin and applicable basis |
| Import VAT | Confirmed rate/base; already included or still due? |
| Handling/clearance | Carrier or broker quote; tax treatment confirmed |
| Assembly | Local workshop scope and price |
| Total | Only complete when every applicable line is resolved |
Compare a complete total with a complete total
Suppose an itemised quote covers the same lines as the example and already shows €1,170 plus €234 VAT, totalling €1,404. Adding €234 again produces €1,638 and counts that VAT twice. A bare “tax included” label does not establish this breakdown or explain a later carrier bill: reconcile the same goods, destination, payer and covered charges first.
If duty or VAT treatment remains unknown, label the subtotal incomplete. For a tax-inclusive delivery quote, ask what evidence supports that inclusion before adding or removing any tax line. Use the broader Europe buying guide to choose the purchase route; this worksheet is for checking its numbers. Rules and quotes need rechecking at the actual order date.
Sources
Source review began . Research methodology.