Shipping & LAW (Germany/Europe)

[MaxTex]

Hey guys,

I am really interested in buying the onewheel. Are there other germans who can give me any tips? 300$ for shipping is quite high. I think about using a shipping company with a US address. Then I would save about 100$.

Man this is so bad expensive -.-

1500$ + 300$ shipping = ~1640€
+ german duty ~ 100€
+ german tax ~ 330€
------------
= 2070€ -> ~2273$ WTF!!!

Are there any tips to get this awesome onewheel at a bit lower price?
How did you do it german / european guys?
I appreciate any help & advice,
LG MaxTex

[Franky]

Sounds like all international buyers have had to pay the piper. Anyone you know planning on traveling to the U.S. anytime soon?:)

[Polle]

@MaxTex Your estimation is correct, I paid more or less the same. Was really surprised about the duties and taxes for import...
It actually hurt my budget as we finished building our house not so long ago. But you cannot imagine how nice it is to ride on the Onewheel :satisfied:

My only (rather big) concern is that there will be a malfunction and I have to send it back for repair... The cost for shipping is just too high to do it again. Really hope there will be a European repairstation soon...

[vafreak]

hello @MaxTex ich bin auch aus Deutschland und interessiere mich auch SEHR für OneWheel ich glaube das es mit der Zeit jedoch billiger werden könnte da OneWheel bekannter werden wir und Vl.. in grösseren Massen produziert wird.Ich finde auch das es einfach nur unglaublich teuer ist doch ich habe das Gefühl dass es sich wirklich lohnt ! Ich werde mir OneWheel in ungefähr 7 - 10 Monaten holen können (bin dann 14 ) und hoffe dass es dann bereits billiger geworden ist :D

[MaxTex]

Hey @Polle good to hear that these numbers are correct and I will buy some spare parts too. A OW station in Europe would be great and will come soon or later.
I think I will pay this extremely huge amount of money for finishing my Master-Studium =)

Another question:
How are you handling the law? This vehicle is illegal right now in Germany. Any problems with the cops? A friend told me that I could lose my drivers license but I don't think they would be soo harsh. I think I will start to drive it in parks and on outlying streets.

@vafreak danke für deinen Post. Ich glaub auch das sich die 2000€ wirklich lohnen werden =)

[Polle]

@MaxTex the law? :laughing: let's say I like living on the edge ;)
I ride mostly on bikelanes, but I don't think the police will do anything if you don't put others to risk...
How do you know the OW is illegal?

[MaxTex]

@Polle all the new electric vehicles like OW and mono/solowheel are not legal because they drive to fast. Vehicle like this are only legal if they are limited to 6 km/h. Segways require a plate to drive them legally.

Wo darf ich das city-wheel betreiben?
Für elektrische Einräder gilt in Deutschland: Elektrische Einräder welche schneller als 6km/h fahren können, dürfen auf öffentlichen Verkehrsflächen nicht betrieben werden. Es wäre eine Versicherung sowie eine Typengenehmigung erforderlich welche jedoch auf Grund der Fahrzeugbeschaffenheit und der maximalen Geschwindigkeit unter den derzeitigen rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen nicht möglich ist.
(http://www.city-wheel.at/faqs-haeufig-gestellte-fragen/)

That means if the is an accident and you damage something or somebody no insurance will pay. I hope for a new law soon but let's face it... this won't come so soon ;P

I will ask my insurance and the local police station about this. But anyway I will drive the OW. But it's good to know at what circumstances you driving this thing.

[Polle]

@MaxTex thanks for the info (I speak german as well, but more fluent in English...)
For insurance, I understand your concern, I don't have a idea... Wondering how this is for American riders...

[liekensk]

If I have an accident with my bike, it is my 'familial' insurance that covers the responsability.
In Belgium, electric bikes are considered bikes as long as they do not drive faster than 25 km/h assisted.

The max speed of the OW is definitely <25km/h. So, it seems logical to me that also this is covered.

Yet, law and insurance companies are always lagging behind real life.
In Belgium (are we an exception again ;)) however, since 2007, there is a new category of vehicles called 'voortbewegingstoestellen' (=devices that move you forward, I'd translate it)
Here, if they drive faster than walking speed, they must follow the rules of the cyclists. So @Polle, you do already very well :-)
In fact, they are limited to 18 km/h to be legal, so classic mode is for the road. OW is prepared for Belgian law :)
Rgrds,
K

[MaxTex]

@liekensk
"If I have an accident with my bike, it is my 'familial' insurance that covers the responsability.
In Belgium, electric bikes are considered bikes as long as they do not drive faster than 25 km/h assisted.
The max speed of the OW is definitely <25km/h. So, it seems logical to me that also this is covered."

I think the german law is nearly the same. But the big point is that with the OW you don't assist with muscle power to drive it. So it isn't covered.
But you are cover by your special Belgium law... so no worries. In Germany there is no special law like this jet...

[OneDream]

I think the big issue with the Onewheel and other electro skateboards in Germany is that they don't have an "active" break.

[eray_9elements]

Hey @MaxTex,

we've been riding the onewheel for over 6 months now, mostly in germany (Berlin & Bochum).

So far, the only notable thing the police did is stopping us and asking us some questions. They are just curious (like everyone else) and always friendly.

But we're also 'lucky' - we haven't done any damage, because we're cautious when riding in public and avoid riding through pedestrian zones (apart from nighttime).
You're right about the insurance thing. Whatever you do, be prepared that no insurance will cover damage, and with the heavy board and its speed you can easily damage people and things around you.

Technically it's not illegal, it can be considered grey zone as the lawmakers have yet to pass a law on this. At least this is what we learned from a lawyer, and have some buddies who work in the certification business. That said, german regulations might also ask for some "improvements" of the board - good ol" german bureaucracy.

I guess as long as we're dealing with only a handful of germans with onewheels (We actually never saw another one), it will take some more time until there will be more clarity.

[MaxTex]

Yes. I think I will handle this like you do. Soon there will be a OW in Munich =)

[kbern]

$300 euros to import? Illegal? Man, that really stifles innovation and human freedom. I think you need to lobby your government is what you need to do! I'd start by mailing them a copy of Atlas Shrugged :-)

[eish]

What was it classed as for duties as in the UK there are lots of different rates - toys would be 17% duty I think, electric motor 1.7% duty, a Electric motorcycle 6% and a skateboard 2.7%

Also does UPS add any charges?

[flop]

I will ask my insurance and the local police station about this. But anyway I will drive the OW. But it's good to know at what circumstances you driving this thing.

My insurance (Sparkassen Versicherung Wiesbaden) said that Onewheel is not a "zulassungspflichtiges Fahrzeug" and the normal personal liability insurance will cover it.

[eish]

@flop do you have to have insurance just to walk around town then?

[flop]

I think so. The insurance said that it is like a E-Bike.

But I will mail them again because they don't use the word Onewheel in there reply or a reference to my mail. Just in case.. :-D

[forzabucks]

In Berlin now. I wish I had my OW with me. So many awesome places to roll around here.