40ft container coming to Brisbane - what do you need?

[750hp]

A friend of mine is bringing in a 40 foot container from Longbeach, California. This should be leaving around the second week of February. Have a bit of a think about what you'll need to bring in from the States, and let me know. There will be shipments from wheel/tyre wholesalers and speed shops for starters. Even if it's not car related, let me know.

It's going to be just a matter of everyone paying their share of the shipping costs. Believe me, it'll work out HEAPS cheaper than getting parts sent via UPS, DHL etc...

[400TT]

Also 1 Jan is when duty drops from 15% to 10% for spare parts.

Well Craig I'm definitely interested, you already know that. I'll hold off on my purchases for now.

I'm definite for set of tyres and maybe a radiator. I was also going to bring in some bushes, rocker covers etc. For smaller stuff it will be a tough call as I can bring then in duty/gst free and that offsets the not so big delivery cost.

What else big do I need. I'm pretty much set of 17" set of Simmons, unless anyone can point me to some nice cheap forged 3 piece wheels.

Sounds like we might have a couple of people purchasing from TireRack.

[400TT]

Any ideas of how much our share of the container will cost. Just wondering if there is anyway to guesstimate shipping to work out what is worth bringing over.

And also how long does it take for container to come in and clear customs etc.

[Aussie Mike]

I reckon a set of these might be the go: Kumho ECSTA V700

Cheers

[PCC]

Craig,

I would'nt mind a set of yanky tyres (tires). Their choice is far better than here.

Can you confirm the following so that I'm aware of costs etc:

1. Cost of freight - no doubt it will depend upon how much space is utilised and by how many people.

2. Import Duties - I presume that will be based upon 1 above.

3. Timing - Orders by date and expected delivery time

4. When to pay and who to pay

If anyone else is bringing in tyres may be easier to use the same retailer etc. If anyone is doing this let me know the USA contact.

On an aside, I presume tyre fitters here would fit someone elses tyres??????

Worth noting as any saving in the yre itself may be lost in fitting / balancing costs.

Hope the above makes sense.

[400TT]

Peter, check out www.tirerack.com. This is where I expect all people will be buying tyres from. Craig has used them before. You can use Longbeach, CA address to work out shipping from them to container.

The only missing amount is cost for your use of container.

Normal duty is 10%, then 10% on top of that for GST. You also have to include shipping costs when applying duty & gst.

You can play around a bit and work out roughly if it is worth it.

For small items, worth less than AU$250 delivered probably best to send directly here as they won't attract duty or gst. And the extra shipping costs would be offset by duty & gst savings. I've got to buy some polyurethane bushes, but these would be cheaper to buy directly as shipping is relatively cheap.

There is a bit more risk and hassle buying this way from US. You've just got to weigh up whether the savings are worthwhile.

Peter, you should also look at aluminium radiators in the US, much cheaper than here. I'm thinking about a cheap AFCO radiator myself. Which I know have been bagged a little here, but work fine for people with more stock applications.

[PCC]

Thanks Craig,

Based upon a tyre fitted here (Toyo) for $350, to buy and ship from the US would be in the order of:

Tyre price in $AUS $238

Postage say $AUS $50

Fitting say $AUS $25

Total estimated cost is $313 excluding any duty etc.

Therefore not much of a saving assuming my costings are right!

From a tyre front probably not worth it unless you are importing a tyre that is simply not available from here.

[400TT]

Peter, what size tyre is that? Toyo are hard as TireRack don't sell them.

Here is my comparison:

Pirelli PZero 335/35ZR17

Cheapest price here is AU$800ea.

TireRack price: US$315

Shipping to container: US$15ea(assuming shipping a set of 4)

Total: US$330 = AU$430

Lets say share container costs are $50 per tyre(before duty & gst).

Plus 10% duty, plus 10% gst.

Total $480 + 10% + 10% = AU$580

Even with $25ea fitting it is cheaper.

Now look at the fact I'm buying 2 of these and a pair of 245's for front. My savings are greater than AU$500 on a set of tyres.

Different savings for different brands and of course the more expensive the tyre, the more savings.

Let me know if I have this wrong anyone. I'm no expert.

[PCC]

The difference is in the size of tyre (the bigger the size the bigger the saving).

I was basing mine on a 245/45 x 16 whereas your's is a 335 (big or what!!!)

The toyo US prices was from Tire101.com

If you can't make a saving of over $50 per tyre is it really worth it considering the wait???

[400TT]

Peter, is that a normal street tyre or road/race tyre like RA1

For normal street how about Yokohama AVS Sport. Not cheapest, not the most expensive:

Yokohama AVS Sport 245/45WR16

Cheapest price here is AU$???ea.

TireRack price: US$139

Shipping to container: US$10ea(assuming shipping a set of 4)

Total: US$149 = AU$195

Lets say share container costs are $50 per tyre(before duty & gst).

Plus 10% duty, plus 10% gst.

Total $245 + 10% + 10% = AU$297(plus fitting)

How much is a Yokohama AVS Sport worth here? Wouldn't it be a better/more expensive tyre than Toyo. You could save a few bucks and go back to tyre like Bridgestone Potenza RE750. Would work out to be AU$277.

Glad I'm not buying 16" tyres, it's such a nice wheel diameter, but so few tyres available for right price.

[400TT]

Set of Ford Racing polished alloy rocker covers from Summit(M-6582-E302P)

Assumung AU$50(before duty & gst) container shipping charge would work out to be $244 landed with duty & gst paid.

Cheapest place I've found to buy these are from VPW for $297 plus delivery. Haven't looked real hard though.

[BMK]

Any room for my friend Mary at Hooters Long Beach...

Bernie

[PCC]

Craig,

The Toyo tyre I'm getting is the Proxes T1-R, apparantly exceptional performance for the price ($350 fitted in Aus).

Toyo

You're right about the 16" wheels - the main manufacturers seem not to want to produce them in the "wider" sizes, although plenty of "sporty" commodores and falcons use this diameter

Reluctant to upsize wheels so will use the "lesser known" tyre manufacturers to sort my 16" problem

[750hp]

To those wanting to know if the guy bringing the container in is trustworthy, well all I can say in response is that he's a friend of mine..........


















Ummmm, yeah - that mean's he's OK ! Seriously though, he runs his own auto related small business, he is 100% legit, and he'll be bringing in lots of fast car bits for himself. He's building a 6 second '57 Chev Nomad Doorslammer complete with a 3000hp Hemi, so it's safe to say there'll be some automotive jewellery in his part of the container !!!

I'm certainly not fishing for deposits now. I would just like to give the guy an indication of how many cubic metres of shipping space we'll need amongst us. I have previously worked out "Group Purchases" through Todd @ www.discounttiredirect.com They also offer free shipping (from their shop to the shipping company). Craig - I can find out if they can get 335 tyres in, as their P-Zero range doesn't list that size currently...

So, keep mentioning parts (or packaging box sizes if you want to keep secrets), and I'll get some shipping prices in a week or so.

[400TT]

Thanks Craig. Yeah, when you take free shipping into account www.discounttiredirect.com look attractive. Here is hoping that they get larger sizes in, they carry Pirelli, so there is a chance.

I'm also definite for some smaller stuff: Ford Racing Rocker Covers, Oil Filter Cover, Corvette Front Arm Bushes, braided hose. Summit Racing look attractive for this. Have you get any preference for suppliers for this stuff.

Also thinking about aluminium radiator, but it would have to be custom made...which we should have time for.

Also looking into brake upgrades. Wasn't going to, but tempting since I can get all or most to just bolt on. :-)

3 piece wheels seem to be cheaper to buy here than US. Anyone found any in the US for reasonable price.

[750hp]

www.jegs.com or www.summitracing.com or usually pretty close in price. Summit will price match anyone if necessary. i know they aren't 3 piece, and the offset wouldn't suit, but did you notice the 17x10.5" Halibrand wheels for the princely sum of $195. I think we'll be ordering a bit of stuff !!!

[TUF-427]

Hi Craig,
put me on the maybe list for the moment,
I am thinking of bringing in a sump and a few "undisclosed " engine parts,
not real big but hard to get here in oz for the right price.
did your photo disc work ok?
cheers Peter..

[750hp]

Hi Peter - thanks again for the disk. There are some really great photos on it ! After seeing you out at Queensland Raceway yesterday, I think that one-wheeled burnout machine of yours will force you to bring back some differential parts in the container...

[TUF-427]

Hi Craig,
wasnt a bad day at the track,
the lap times for the cobra boys just keep getting faster.
I could definatly improve my lap times if I could get drive off the corner onto the main straight,seriously fries the inside wheel most of the way thru third,even with plenty of feathering of the throttle..
The LSD seems to have given up the fight,
but not sure if I want the harshness of a detroit locker.
Will have to see whats available in the good ol USA....
When are we going to see your beast there?
now that would definatly fry the tyres everywhere!

peter.

[750hp]

I spoke with the guy today about the dates that we need to have parts delivered to the shipping company by. They will start packing the container on the 14th of Feb. The container is actually leaving from San Diego (not Longbeach). He is a pretty casual sort of a guy. I asked him to work out a cubic metre shipping rate, and he simply said that he'll be shipping empty space otherwise, so the shipping costs won't be anything significant. Sounds good to me !