The real cost of parts from USA

[hogster]

I am after some experience based advice please.

Have just had a bit of a win and I'm ready to a buy gearbox, clutch, bell housing etc.
I want to buy a tko600, and the US price is way cheaper than in Oz.

Has anyone done a similar thing, and what did the gear cost landed here.

The build is always exciting in buying phase.

Thanks
Hogster

[Philm]

HI Hogster,
I have just perchased a TKO600 from summit racing, expecting delivery any day now.

You will have to pay GST and associated customs and bull**** charges.

With the dollar as it is I am saving well over $500 on the best price I could get locally.

Phil

[Tenrocca]

I have some wheels arriving tomorrow - dont forget to factor in credit card foreign currency conversion. works in at around 2.5% on my card.

Make sure its marked as made in the USA. you will get a discount on duty. I had to send a statement to fedex this morning describing the good, and stating they were made in US from US sourced materials. Duty and gst (which you have to pay if total including shipping is over $1000) was going to be $419, and dropped to $269 after I sent the statement through, so from my working out duty dropped from 10% to 2.5% with the free trade stuff factored in. Also, and Im not sure about this, say its for a 1965 cobra. I got the impression from the customs broker guy at fedex that the rate was less for "old" car parts - someone else might be able to confirm this.

Cheers.

[BMK]

Having purchased and carried a number of items from Stateside, I believe the 1965 statement is accurate..

[hogster]

Thanks guys.

I'm thinking that its a done deal.

Every $ i save I can spend on pretty things

Regards
Hogster

[750hp]

I mate of mine just flew a complete Top Doorslammer engine in for a total freight and admin cost of $1300. I thought that was very reasonable - especially if you're like most people who want their new goodies NOW!!!

Imagine opening the crate to reveal a shiny new billet THREE THOUSAND HORSEPOWER motor

[mad cobra]

I've just imported a few million dollars worth of equipment from around the world for work and the deal there was,
Get a certificate of Origin USA from Manufacturer, must leave a US port, need a commercial invoice and pay GST (which you can reclaim if you or a friend get a business to buy it!!!), you can get them to write a commercial invoice for a lower value but that may affect insurance value and if you get caught your're up for a fine, Gotta love free trade, if they come from Canada it's 10% duty, although I'm not sure of the deal with second hand stuff.
We've been importing full 20ft containers for around $3-5k

[Art Burtt]

What happens if someone in the US buys the part and then ships it to youAs if it were a birthday present? Hmmmmmmm

[LoBelly]

According to a friend of mine who was familiar

'Unsolicited Gift' is a very useful phrase.

[Chris L]

Mad Cobra;

I would like to know more about how you went about it.........I'm looking at a Keith Craft engine to bring in.
The more info I have, the happier I am.
03 9310 7757
Regards
Chris

[sambo]

Originally Posted by Tenrocca

Make sure its marked as made in the USA. you will get a discount on duty. I had to send a statement to fedex this morning describing the good, and stating they were made in US from US sourced materials.

Andrew, I've just ordered QA1 shocks/springs from the States and have requested that they mark the package as "Made in the USA". I don't suppose you still have a copy of the statement you sent to Fedex or remember the details? PM or email me if you like. Thanks.

Sambo

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Tenrocca

Duty and gst (which you have to pay if total including shipping is over $1000)

As I understand it....Duty payable is ONLY on Purchase price....NOT combined with shipping and handling...DUTY IS PAYABLE as stated on purchases of $1000 or more..and GST again is applied only to the duty value and on Australian services handling...

[stephen low]

My tko600 was shipped by the slow boat method along with Mcleod clutch and output yoke for about $3000 goods and $200 all freight & tax costs.

If I recall rightly purchased at about $0.97 in the US dollar and shipped out at around $0.92. The distinction is that the exchange rate at time of departure from the US is the rate used for taxes etc. over here.

Have fun importing.

[Modena]

I dont know when the exchange rate is calculated, but I do know that OZCOBRA is correct in that shipping costs are not calculated in the duty, it is purchase price only.

eg if you bought something for $xUSD which worked out to be $999AUD, and you paid the equivelant of another $500AUD in shipping, you are not liable for duty because your goods are not "worth" more than $1000AUD.

I had customs stop a shipment of mine at the calculated rate of $1250AUD and ask for duty - I produced (via email) an ebay receipt showing that the cost of the goods (without shipping) was around $950AUD and they said "thankyou very much no duty is payable, here you go."

[Towmaster]

I was under the impression that we had a free trade agreement with the US and as such you only have to pay GST and a customs clearance fee....

[sambo]

Towmaster, the key is proving that the parts were manufactured in the States. I'm relying on the kind people at Jegs scribbling on the box, "All parts manufactured in the United States" as my proof. Otherwise I need to somehow get a statement out of the manufacturer. As for the "1965 Cobra escape clause", that's anyone's guess. Perhaps I'll invite the customs man to my next shed day?

[albanycobra]

I usually buy all my bits from the States now. It's easier shopping on the summit site then going down to my local speed shop who is so over priced it's not funny.

It takes about a week to get here and I usually don't pay any fees.

This is what I have learn't .

1-Try and keep it under a $1000. If not you may still get away with it. I have had to pay duty and GST a few times.
2-Allways use USPS for freight and stay away from BAX. BAX will nail you everytime.
3-Never use a business name on the delivery form. If you're sending it to a Business address then just put your name on it.

If you stick to these easy steps you will not have any problems. I have
probably spent about 15k in the last 4 months.

[Hexnut72]

Just an FYI for those down under, The TKO's are Made in Mexico.

[Rob. Smith]

Originally Posted by albanycobra

I usually buy all my bits from the States now. It's easier shopping on the summit site then going down to my local speed shop who is so over priced it's not funny.

It takes about a week to get here and I usually don't pay any fees.

This is what I have learn't .

1-Try and keep it under a $1000. If not you may still get away with it. I have had to pay duty and GST a few times.
2-Allways use USPS for freight and stay away from BAX. BAX will nail you everytime.
3-Never use a business name on the delivery form. If you're sending it to a Business address then just put your name on it.

If you stick to these easy steps you will not have any problems. I have
probably spent about 15k in the last 4 months.

Is it me or have the 'handling' charges risen ? I seem to be paying more for small stuff. I always use USPS it takes a little longer but 7 - 10 days isn't bad!

[BMK]

Makes sure you ask for USPS not UPS.

USPS is the United States Postal Service. Costs are a lot cheaper with the average post guy.

Watch Summit as they use FedEx or UPS and you can end up with a post and package bill worth more than the parts..