Well, let's start with real numbers first, and lets assume you play by the rules. I.e., if you smuggle a bike into your country and break the local laws by avoiding duty or tax, I am sure you can save some money. You can save money on anything that way, but obviously cannot compare that price with the price of a bike that has duties and taxes paid. Furthermore, you start off with the wrong prices, any argument can be won that way. The Soloist Team is US$2300, and that is excluding sales tax (which is the way prices are quoted in North America, unlike Europe). To get the bike into Europe requires 16% duty. I don't know the exact sales tax in Switzerland, but in most European countries it is close to 20%. These two charges get the price to US$ 3200. This is without factoring in any of the costs of transportation and distribution. So as you can see, the prices are quite close, and the real solution is as simple as it is complicated: Convince your local government to lower sales tax (VAT) and the duty charges.
Gerard Vroomen
3T.bike OPEN cycle