ive got a price to get a beam from the states including freight but im not sure if theres any tax or other fees that ill be hit with ? does anyone know the amount is under $2000 if that makes a difference.

if the beam is sent direct to you then you wont incour import duties or gst, how ever, if an agent or courier imports the beam, then expect to pay out!!
go to your customs office, they are very helpful, they certainly didnt bite me only my pocket!!!

they advised that personal postage of car parts was the way to go!!
hope that helps

thanks dude ill see what theyve quoted

anything over a certain figure, way less than $2000, I think more like $400AU or so, you can be made pay GST, both on the item and on the postage of the item. Plus duties etc if they desire. A friend just had a camera posted off ebay, and because the value was written on the postage label, for insurance, they nailed him with GST and duties...
I have been very lucky in the past with getting stuff posted to me, but I imagine you will have a hard time getting USPS or AusPost to ship a beam!!

beetle or bus?

If I keep it under AU$250, no fees are paid as the cost of collecting them exceeds the value they get in return. Over that you will pay a duty and GST on the freight as well as the beam.

Yogie

thanks guys "bus beam " heavy ass shiat sounding way to exxxy to do ill have to go local i think

I just send some RHD Pedals to the USA with Aust Post Air Freight....

The label says the cost or monetary value of the enclosed goods....
I wrote "NIL"
Description: Used Car Pedal assembly Parts - No Value

the fellow in the USA said to write Gift - No Value
but I didin't think I could write that on the Aussie label..

If You could get the beam painted like it was very old...??
and " No Value - old beam ??? "

Yes, I've heard that the customs usually see most parcels that have over $400 approx value on the label...
so, its ALL up to the person at the other end...

Lee

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

Is it cheaper to buy the beam from the USA...??
I'm presuming so.... most other VW parts are extremely cheaper in the USA compared to Australian prices....
excepting for any high Customs fees.....

Lee

its looking that way

Last time I brought stuff in it was anything over $600 you pay duty on. So you pay a % on the item and postage cost.
:thumb

in the past someone said something to me about saying the parts were for a pre '56 car and this made them exempt from duty.
does anyone know if this is true?

thanks.
henry.

no makes no difference on the year. Carbs are duty free I believe (used to be), but the a/c linkages etc are not. You still must pay GST on them now. Telling customs its for a race only, not street car will give you the lowest tax rate.
Sending a beam worth a fair bit uninsured would not be wise, and you cant have conflicting amounts.
I would look at the kits on the samba, and get someone local to build it.
CB's adjusters are WAY cheaper than local ones and decent quality. If they wont ship USPS I am happy for you to ship to me in the US and then ill send it on. I have moved here for 2 years... I will be sending some of these home shortly anyhow...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=318624 
andrew

yeah i had a look at them , i can get that here but its the whole who wants to put it together that seems to be the hard part.

cant find anyone or too expensive??