Is importing the way to go???????????????

Looking at importing some parts for my new project (wheels, dropped spindles etc). Possibly from the U.S or U.K.
Would like to here from anyone who does this or has done it, regarding service, reliability, and cost???
It all seems cheaper on paper but??????????
Thanx
Ross.

I really don't know...
after the freight - very expensive -
AU$ into US$ - changeover etc...
Cost of International money order - if the company doesn't take paypal or Mastercard etc....
Import Duty or Taxes can make it Very Expensive....

I bought a few things and it was just too hard to work out...
what each individual parts cost....
I suppose I should do it properly....

I am very pleased with the CIP1 window rubbers and would possibly do it again to get their quality....

I'm hoping it does all work out cheaper....

as some replacement parts are very cheap compared with Australian prices......

Parts from the UK seem very expensive when compared with the US.... You are getting quality.... from Europe.... though..

It seems many people on Here have bought from the US...

The END result is whether You get charged import duty or Taxes....... much better if You don't get charged...

Best of Luck

Lee Noonan

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

Most of the big companies have the currency converter which makes it easy but its the freight that worries me??

Hi Ross, With cip go to the checkout, (you will be warned that you are making a purchase), but before that there is a page where you chose shipping methods, ie, usps (dont use too exy) dhl/fedex, (use these) there will be a postage price in the check box, dont forget duty payments upon arrival in aussieland, the best way i work it out is, the actual price plus 25% for shipping and duty, give or take a little,

dont forget the discount code...

Andy

Your a legend thanks mate!!!

have you emailed guys here for prices yet ?
...also, Kombimad got a heap of stuff from schofields, he would have an idea on duty into Oz

Rob, i am all for ppl buying stuff from the aussie guys, but the duty has to be paid somewhere, a new customs reduction came in just recentley, here is what is payable to customs.

3% not 15% duty is payable if your vehicle is over 30 years.

10% GST is ONLY payable on the total value not on customs duty, cannot get away from that!

4% aust govt charges

total 17%


[Edited on 22-2-2005 by VolksFolks]

And the paperwork involved when importing your self !!!!

Roy am i nagative in your posts!!

DHL do all the paperwork!, pay customs, you get a bill from DHL..

i've found that duty is only charged if you spend over $500aus total(goods and shipping)
i buy the majority of my parts from CIP1

I have imported all sorts of parts from CIP1, including wheels and have never been hit with duty or taxes...I would say go for it! makes it much cheaper than you can get here.

VolksFolks wrote:Rob, i am all for ppl buying stuff from the aussie guys, but the duty has to be paid somewhere, a new customs reduction came in just recentley, here is what is payable to customs.

3% not 15% duty is payable if your vehicle is over 30 years.

10% GST is ONLY payable on the total value not on customs duty, cannot get away from that!

4% aust govt charges

total 17%


[Edited on 22-2-2005 by VolksFolks]

Its not being negative just realistic. Also I might find some little loop hole that might help me too.
I believe the duty is 3% only if the product is a standard fitment on a passenger vehicle over 30 years. Otherwise you pay higher rates??
The delivery agent will not tell you how to save on duties as they have audits and there are big fines if found to be flaunting the rules.

Beware of freight (especially for heavy items....or items shipped by courier and not through USPS if coming from the US), duties and taxes. They can bend you over a barrel at times.

Take for example, I bought and brought in a pair of CB performance dropped spindles, front disc kit (porsche pattern), and rear rotohub disc kit (in porsche pcd)...current costs around AU$1098 (US$870)....great on paper yes. But by the time I landed it all and paid customs etc, it cost me around AU$2200.....and that hurt. You are probably better off getting it in through a company that freights stuff often as they can bring in containers of stuff to cut down on freight costs. etc etc

Just expect unexpected costs, thats all the advice I'd give if you do it yourself :vader

I purchased $195 usd worth of parts from CP1 and then they hit me $55usd shipping then DHL hit me with a bill of $140aus(on top of the shipping charges)a week after the parts were delivered! Do your sums before you purchase and always allow for the duty, because if you do not, then sure enough you will have to pay it.:duh

I have got heaps of stuff from the states. Anything under $250 doeas not get charged any duty..... do not forget the exchange rate is awesome at present......anything in US dollars just divide by the exchange rate, i.e .79c.

Here is the trick...Speak to heaps of guys at the respective shops, some will do it and others will not. If they write a cheaper price on the box but then you ask them to insure it they go off the insured price. As long it is packed well, DO NOT insure it, but get it tracked. The insurance is only for damage as the tracking is insuance for loss(they never get lost when they are auto scanned).

Also try and use FED-ex or DHL or Bax...ups will hit you with a $50 customs entry fee as soon as you go over the $250 just to assess it...bastards!

Good luck, and when your drunk and have the gene berg order hotline in your mobile..call it I say. If you are with vodafone it is only $3 for 10 mins to the USA.

Matt

NEVER GET ANYTHING BY NORMAL MAIL AS IT CAN TAKE UPTO 5 MONTHS....LEARNED THAT THE HARD WAY.

to import or or not ?
I'm not trying to sell anything to you, but this may help.....
Well it may sometimes be a little cheaper to import but if you import and only one thing goes wrong, missing or get's damaged you could lose a heap of money. Plus what if you have problems down the track and you need to have someone help you but you have let all the local people go broke. yes I do agree some companies like to make all their money on one sale, but if you shop around in Australia you will make the market here better and the ripoff ones will need to toe the line. Remember most (not all) big companies is the US/UK don't regard what we buy as that big a deal as we don't have the population so if you have a bad deal they don't care as soon as they have your money.......

anyway for me I like to see what it is infront of me before I buy it

remember this is only what I think :thumb

Postage may be slow but its much cheaper and no Import Duty etc.... like the US couriers....

but the hard part is getting them to send it by post.....

and I have found many US companies won't take mastercard or paypal.... unless You live in the US and the delivery address is the same as the address on the mastercard.....

CIP1 & CB Performance are the exceptions..........

Lee

I would say the shipping would be the killer specially with something heavy like wheels etc. Unless you can try calling one of the car shipping companies in Just Cars and see if they can stick your box of parts in their containers. I am sure it would be cheaper.
Bob

Desert Moose wrote:to import or or not ?
I'm not trying to sell anything to you, but this may help.....
Well it may sometimes be a little cheaper to import but if you import and only one thing goes wrong, missing or get's damaged you could lose a heap of money. Plus what if you have problems down the track and you need to have someone help you but you have let all the local people go broke. yes I do agree some companies like to make all their money on one sale, but if you shop around in Australia you will make the market here better and the ripoff ones will need to toe the line. Remember most (not all) big companies is the US/UK don't regard what we buy as that big a deal as we don't have the population so if you have a bad deal they don't care as soon as they have your money.......

anyway for me I like to see what it is infront of me before I buy it

remember this is only what I think :thumb

Thats what Paypal is best for, also credit cards can be a saftey net, when it arrives damaged/or dosent arrive at all, contact the seller, if they do not want to help go to the bank and request a reversal, this always shakes up the sellers, same as paypal, this is because you pay with your credit card, you have rights as a purchaser..

Andy

Yeah and PayPal covers you for up to US$500 but I am not sure of the T&Cs

Dasdubber & eirecooled, those costings are astronomicle! you are talking a 100% duty, i must say i have never paid that much!!

Andy

bugDbug, the credit card reversal works! i purchased a camers from ebay using paypal, paypal didnt wanna konw when i complained, so i went to the bank ane did a reversal, i got my 350$ back, then paypal lisened!

I'm doing alot of research as this is my first time and i tell you what.... i'ts looking pretty good ha. Despite the delays, paperwork and hassle, i'm still saving myself worthwhile $$$.

Welcome to Globalisation.

i've saved 1000's $ by ordering from overseas particulary cip1

Ebay & Paypal don't want to know of Your hassles IMHO

and its good to know that You can Reverse Your Payment with a credit Card... I didn't know that...

Maybe that is why many smaller VW shops in the US Won't accept mastercard ..... from Australia....



Lee

Lee, i think you maybe right there, as they know of the hassels, i used to have a restaurant and excepted credit cards/eftpos etc and my bill from the bank was $300 per month (depending on transactions etc) with a whopping rental charge for the machine, now this sucks, so i dumped it, then i sold it, YAY, no more HOT HOT kitchens for mee,

Andy

Ross why not call DHL in Qld, 1300 301 307, ask them whats involved, good luck

Andy