Importing stuff...Grrr...

[Tins]

After much soul searching ( didn't find one ) and ebaying and phoning around, it was decided that a R380 should be bought from Ashcrofts in the UK. Doubtless you'll have heard of 'em. Even with no changeover box, their price is great, their reputation is excellent and their service is fantastic. Once the order was made, and the money was paid, the box was built on the 13 September, and landed here (Tulla) on the 21st. Brilliant. The whole thing came to $1565, including shipping. Now, I'm aware that the leeches will bite when you land here in Oz, but I was unprepared for the vampires.
Customs Clearance $150
Compile User $70.15
Customs Duty $65.09
Import GST $160.85
Customs Processing Fee $55.20
AQIS Lodgement Fee $25.00
Quarantine Entry Fee $139.00
DHL Fee $214.86
Tax $24.52

Sub Total $904.65

And, there is another $105.00 to pay before the item is picked up, and there is $85.00 a DAY if we can't pick it up exactly when they release it. I hope Ashcrofts are as good as people say....

I'm NOT whinging ( oh yes I bloody am ), I'm passing this on for others to learn from. DHL Fee??? they charge more for a handling fee here in Melbourne than they do to fly the 62kg box from England, ffs! What's a "Compile User", and why do I have to pay tax on it? Quarantine? Do they think my gearbox has mad cow disease? No, I think I must have that. The lucky country, eh? Lucky for some.

By the way, none of this is in any way the fault of Ashcrofts. Dave Ashcroft and Joanne Perry are fantastic to deal with.
The silly thing about all this is, could we have got a comparable quality reco R380 here for less?
Please, don't anyone say yes!

[Homestar]

On the bright side, Ashcroft's gear is first class, and I have never heard a bad word about their stuff. Just saving up enough pennies for one of their lockers at the moment.:)

[Tins]

On the bright side, Ashcroft's gear is first class, and I have never heard a bad word about their stuff. Just saving up enough pennies for one of their lockers at the moment.:)


Yep, glass half full is where I'm going.. Which locker?? They seem to be a UK agent for Detroit and TruTrak. That where you're going?

[101RRS]

You should have got it couriered door to door and most of those fees would not have been payable - I had four steel wheels couriered late last year (package would have been larger and weighed more) and I only paid Customs Fee, Customs admin fee, GST and that was it.

DHL have a reputation for ripping people off - all their fees should be in the shipping but they like to add extras when they have you by the short and curlies - I used TNT and had no issues.

Garry

[Tins]

You should have got it couriered door to door and most of those fees would not have been payable - I had four steel wheels couriered late last year (package would have been larger and weighed more) and I only paid Customs Fee, Customs admin fee, GST and that was it.

DHL have a reputation for ripping people off - all their fees should be in the shipping but they like to add extras when they have you by the short and curlies - I used TNT and had no issues.

Garry

Did your wheels cost less than $1000 AU? Anything over a grand and door to door isn't possible, so I'm told. If you're experience is different I'd like to hear about it, 'cos if they've told me porkies....

[Tins]

As an aside, today I saw a forward in Altona..ish, Vic plate FC 101.That you, or would you know the bloke? No reason for asking, 'cept you don't see many these days.

[Mick_Marsh]

As an aside, today I saw a forward in Altona..ish, Vic plate FC 101.That you, or would you know the bloke? No reason for asking, 'cept you don't see many these days.
That's Ron's (not 101Ron) old 101. Is that getting around Altona now. Last I saw it it was in AMV Ringwood.

[Tombie]

Did your wheels cost less than $1000 AU? Anything over a grand and door to door isn't possible, so I'm told. If you're experience is different I'd like to hear about it, 'cos if they've told me porkies....

How about $3500.00 worth of gear? ;)

Phone call from TNT with cost of Duty & GST - Gave them the Visa number and next day the parcel arrived on my doorstep 1200km away from Melbourne Processing centre.

DHL are Pirates...

[Tins]

That's Ron's (not 101Ron) old 101. Is that getting around Altona now. Last I saw it it was in AMV Ringwood.

Turning out of McDonald Rd into Geelong Rd. Probably Brooklyn. No roof bar a driver's canopy. Weird exhaust plumbing, well weird if you're used to 'normal' series Rovers. Nice truck if that's your thing. I'd drive it, but then, I was driving a T404 SAR Kenworth B-Double at the time, so almost anything seems good to me. Not true really; the KW part's true, but I meant no disrespect to the forward. I'd love a turn..

[Tins]

How about $3500.00 worth of gear? ;)

Phone call from TNT with cost of Duty & GST - Gave them the Visa number and next day the parcel arrived on my doorstep 1200km away from Melbourne Processing centre.

DHL are Pirates...

What you are saying then, is organise freigt etc from this end?? Ashcrofts used DHL...

[wrinklearthur]

Not sure how long ago exactly, but a couple of years ago, A freighting company* returned a consignment of mine back to the seller* in the UK ( not Ashcroft's ) because they didn't have the delivery fee paid by the seller* to cover the costs from Melbourne to Hobart!!!!

On the other hand I received a $800.00 consignment of gearbox parts from Ashcrofts inside three days from paying for it and was delivered to my door by the same company* and with no extra costs added at that time.

They, sweeten you up with the orange first then they give you the lemon!

* edited out the names, I don't want to fall foul of this sites name and shame policy.

[101RRS]

Did your wheels cost less than $1000 AU? Anything over a grand and door to door isn't possible, so I'm told. If you're experience is different I'd like to hear about it, 'cos if they've told me porkies....

Wheels were over $1000 - that is why I had to pay the duties and GST.

Courier is certainly available.

[Michael2]

My last order of stuff from the UK amounted to $1,400 (inc about $500 in freight).

FedEx had it at my front door in 5 days with no additional charges.

I was prepared for a tax hit on it, as tax would have been cheaper than splitting the 4 boxes into 2 consignments.

I've heard customs have discretion over one off consignments that just exceed the limit. But if your parcel lands at a port, instead of your front door, then it doesn't matter if it's under $1,000AUD, you still go through the Customs clearance and Tax process. I ordered some parabolic springs for my SIII years ago, and they were $600, but I had to clear them though customs & pay all the duties. Quarantine though weren't bothered as it was a mechanical part. I'm surprised you've been slugged with the quarantine duty.

[Bigbjorn]

My last order of stuff from the UK amounted to $1,400 (inc about $500 in freight).

FedEx had it at my front door in 5 days with no additional charges.

I was prepared for a tax hit on it, as tax would have been cheaper than splitting the 4 boxes into 2 consignments.

I've heard customs have discretion over one off consignments that just exceed the limit. But if your parcel lands at a port, instead of your front door, then it doesn't matter if it's under $1,000AUD, you still go through the Customs clearance and Tax process. I ordered some parabolic springs for my SIII years ago, and they were $600, but I had to clear them though customs & pay all the duties. Quarantine though weren't bothered as it was a mechanical part. I'm surprised you've been slugged with the quarantine duty.

I rarely buy stock from UK/Europe these days.Freight costs are quite excessive. I buy nearly all stock from the USA and insist on the vendor using the US Postal Service. Use USPS flat rate boxes if the stuff will fit and keep your purchases under AU$1,000. FedEx and UPS are miles more expensive.

[TeamFA]

My recent delivery of parts from the friendly chaps at Ashcrofts came via TNT International. Total was less than $800 AUD, so probably helped, but came straight to my door, no extra charges or delays...

[Homestar]

Yep, glass half full is where I'm going.. Which locker?? They seem to be a UK agent for Detroit and TruTrak. That where you're going?

Going to get one of Ashcrofts own air lockers. Good design that doesn't have a seal setup like the ARB units that can leak, and they have deeper engagement on the dogs. About $850 landed on my doorstep. If I didn't have to repair SWMBO Rangie this month, I would have ordered one...:D As it was I managed to buy a set of Jacmac axles this month, but they will sit there for a bit now, as I have nothing for them to slide into.:)

[clubagreenie]

I got an Ashcroft ATB, door to door, ordered on a tuesday 7:30pm locally by phone. Turned up on thursday 10:00am. Only parts and freight to pay via TNT.

[rick130]

I rarely buy stock from UK/Europe these days.Freight costs are quite excessive. I buy nearly all stock from the USA and insist on the vendor using the US Postal Service. Use USPS flat rate boxes if the stuff will fit and keep your purchases under AU$1,000. FedEx and UPS are miles more expensive.

I want to get some bits from the US but the company I'll be dealing with only use FedEx or UPS, so I'll use one of the US addressed forwarding companies that charge 4.5% and send USPS, it'll work out much cheaper.

[Bigbjorn]

I want to get some bits from the US but the company I'll be dealing with only use FedEx or UPS, so I'll use one of the US addressed forwarding companies that charge 4.5% and send USPS, it'll work out much cheaper.

I usually tell vendors that don't want to walk to the post office that there are other fish in the sea who would value my business.

Chew this over. A while ago I bought a new Muncie gearbox from Florida. I thought it was too big/heavy for the post office. FedEx quoted US$950. The post office quoted US$630 and it arrived via FedEx.

I would like to buy a Gerstner "Journeyman" traditional tool and die makers wooden tool chest (www.gerstnerusa.com). Trouble is the cheapest I could get it sent for was slightly less than the purchase price via the post office. FedEx and UPS were considerably more. Virgin Australia will ship as excess luggage for US$100. I plan to go to the Indy 500 next May so will get one then and bring it home that way. I plan to hire a van in Chicago to accommodate purchases, and hand it back in LA. I may have an engine and gearbox to send so slow boat could be the other option. Consolidate all my purchases that are too bulky or expensive for the post office in one consignment.

[loanrangie]

After much soul searching ( didn't find one ) and ebaying and phoning around, it was decided that a R380 should be bought from Ashcrofts in the UK. Doubtless you'll have heard of 'em. Even with no changeover box, their price is great, their reputation is excellent and their service is fantastic. Once the order was made, and the money was paid, the box was built on the 13 September, and landed here (Tulla) on the 21st. Brilliant. The whole thing came to $1565, including shipping. Now, I'm aware that the leeches will bite when you land here in Oz, but I was unprepared for the vampires.
Customs Clearance $150
Compile User $70.15
Customs Duty $65.09
Import GST $160.85
Customs Processing Fee $55.20
AQIS Lodgement Fee $25.00
Quarantine Entry Fee $139.00
DHL Fee $214.86
Tax $24.52

Sub Total $904.65

And, there is another $105.00 to pay before the item is picked up, and there is $85.00 a DAY if we can't pick it up exactly when they release it. I hope Ashcrofts are as good as people say....

I'm NOT whinging ( oh yes I bloody am ), I'm passing this on for others to learn from. DHL Fee??? they charge more for a handling fee here in Melbourne than they do to fly the 62kg box from England, ffs! What's a "Compile User", and why do I have to pay tax on it? Quarantine? Do they think my gearbox has mad cow disease? No, I think I must have that. The lucky country, eh? Lucky for some.

By the way, none of this is in any way the fault of Ashcrofts. Dave Ashcroft and Joanne Perry are fantastic to deal with.
The silly thing about all this is, could we have got a comparable quality reco R380 here for less?
Please, don't anyone say yes!

Of all the charges only the DHL fee is abnormal , AQIS bend you over when you import any used goods.

[flagg]

I've bought lots from US and EU/UK, DHL always gouge, FedEX are great but expensive. TNT are my preferred. I always go door to door, mark as 'residential: call on approach'. I've paid additional tax once only.

DHL will add on all sorts of fees which are 'estimates', even on behalf of AQIS..

[PhilipA]

Yeah, like the $48, "Quarantine inspection fee", which AQIS reckons should be $18.
I wrote to LR direct about this and everyone who gets stung should write to the shipper as the contract is between them and DHL.
Regards Philip A

[clubagreenie]

To drag this out of the pit.

Just imported a new auto from Ashcrofts and DHL haven't changed. The reason UK shippers use DHL is when packages are over 100kg TNT won't touch it. The only thing I have done is I armed myself with the details from AQIS and customs on all their charges and when they are applicable. Made them read out the list of charges they wanted to hit me with, the total was over $400- (shipping was only $260-) and I said no, no, no, no. Got it down to $80-.

[sheerluck]

Similar recent experience for me CAG, when I had a few large items come round by sea. It was low value for me (total purchase cost about $700), but very bulky, and the charges this end were 1.5 times what it cost me to move it all 11500 miles. :eek:

[clubagreenie]

Just got a call. Here's an unknown tip. My stuff was shipped without an invoice, door to airport. So I needed to take care of supplying the invoice. The goods were listed as "Master Rebuild Kit" (ashcroft speak for LT230 bearing and seal kit). The DHL guy said is it car parts, "yes", new "yes".

Because they were new, not complete components and shipped to the airport the shipping charge was not part of the value and so kept the invoice cost under $1000- (ok so there may be some fudging). But I was prepared for some GST but was surprised at the system.

[sheerluck]

I had the same. :D

Though I did actually put what I'd paid on the invoices. ;)

[Tank]

I rarely buy stock from UK/Europe these days.Freight costs are quite excessive. I buy nearly all stock from the USA and insist on the vendor using the US Postal Service. Use USPS flat rate boxes if the stuff will fit and keep your purchases under AU$1,000. FedEx and UPS are miles more expensive.
Brian I have had exactly the opposite experience, I just bought a set of Crane Valve lash caps in Australia, because shipping USPS from USA for a matchbox size item was $36USD and no guaranteed delivery before the middle of next month, and that was the cheapest option. Bought from Crane in South Australia Express post (dearest) $13 and 2 days delivery. Also bought EGT guage from USA $27 USPS, 19 days (16 of them days in the USA).
Ford Explorer Timing/Cam setup Kit $113AUD, $136USD for USPS, took over 2 weeks.
Costs for post/frieght are ridiculous whether from UK or USA, but at least the goods from the UK get here in this millenium, Regards Frank.

[Bigbjorn]

Brian I have had exactly the opposite experience, I just bought a set of Crane Valve lash caps in Australia, because shipping USPS from USA for a matchbox size item was $36USD and no guaranteed delivery before the middle of next month, and that was the cheapest option. Bought from Crane in South Australia Express post (dearest) $13 and 2 days delivery. Also bought EGT guage from USA $27 USPS, 19 days (16 of them days in the USA).
Ford Explorer Timing/Cam setup Kit $113AUD, $136USD for USPS, took over 2 weeks.
Costs for post/frieght are ridiculous whether from UK or USA, but at least the goods from the UK get here in this millenium, Regards Frank.

Someone is doing something wrong. Are they sending them in solid gold packages by private jet? Medium flat rate boxes 13 5/8 x 11 7/8 x 3 3/8 or 11 x 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 Priority Mail International cost $59.95 and holds up to 20 lbs. Takes 6 -10 days sometimes only 5 sometimes up to 15. Large Flat Rate Box 12 x 12 x 5 1/2 or 23 x 11 3/4 x 3 likewise up to 20 lbs. $77.95. I import machine shop supplies and Engineer's tools and have been doing so since 2000. USPS provide the boxes free and do the Customs Declaration for the shipper. Priority Express is more expensive and takes 3-5 days. A 4lb. Priority Express envelope cost $59.95.

[Sitec]

Mmmmm, I'm dreading the bill when my engine lands! Should be interesting to see how they handle a wrapped 6Bt and gearbox still in chassis!! I believe there to be no value on the docket so it will be described as "Engine and Gearbox for rebuild, Condition Unknown" and valued at £480.. We'll c how we go with it!

[clubagreenie]

When you say still in chassis is it a front cut?

If so there's another minefield there, especially secondhand of potential quarantine cleaning costs and the handling of it will be a nightmare since it's on a pallet and they'll charge accordingly.

[rick130]

Someone is doing something wrong. Are they sending them in solid gold packages by private jet? Medium flat rate boxes 13 5/8 x 11 7/8 x 3 3/8 or 11 x 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 Priority Mail International cost $59.95 and holds up to 20 lbs. Takes 6 -10 days sometimes only 5 sometimes up to 15. Large Flat Rate Box 12 x 12 x 5 1/2 or 23 x 11 3/4 x 3 likewise up to 20 lbs. $77.95. I import machine shop supplies and Engineer's tools and have been doing so since 2000. USPS provide the boxes free and do the Customs Declaration for the shipper. Priority Express is more expensive and takes 3-5 days. A 4lb. Priority Express envelope cost $59.95.

Is that current Brian as USPS have recently upped their prices ?

I was shocked when I put an order through a few months back with a semi-regular supplier, the post bill had quadrupled :eek:

I just had a DC driveshaft + spare uni turn up UPS and it cost US$190.
I didn't quibble with the supplier as that's who he regularly used, but they did send it to Austria (UPS stuff up, not the vendor)
The vendor made a new one and sent it out the same day (Wednesday in the US, Thursday here) and it turned up here in the bush on the following Tuesday morning.
Apparently the original still hasn't returned, and it was stopped in Kentucky.....

[Bigbjorn]

Is that current Brian as USPS have recently upped their prices ?

I was shocked when I put an order through a few months back with a semi-regular supplier, the post bill had quadrupled :eek:

I just had a DC driveshaft + spare uni turn up UPS and it cost US$190.
I didn't quibble with the supplier as that's who he regularly used, but they did send it to Austria (UPS stuff up, not the vendor)
The vendor made a new one and sent it out the same day (Wednesday in the US, Thursday here) and it turned up here in the bush on the following Tuesday morning.
Apparently the original still hasn't returned, and it was stopped in Kentucky.....

Off their website tonight. Your driveshaft would be quoted as a large package by dimensions. These can get expensive. Look at the website. You can input mass and dimensions and get a quote.

[Sitec]

When you say still in chassis is it a front cut?

If so there's another minefield there, especially secondhand of potential quarantine cleaning costs and the handling of it will be a nightmare since it's on a pallet and they'll charge accordingly.

Should be easier to shift about on a pallet.. It was also steam cleaned before it left the UK. Either way, I know it won't be a cheep exercise! :(

[Davo]

To drag this out of the pit.

Just imported a new auto from Ashcrofts and DHL haven't changed. The reason UK shippers use DHL is when packages are over 100kg TNT won't touch it. The only thing I have done is I armed myself with the details from AQIS and customs on all their charges and when they are applicable. Made them read out the list of charges they wanted to hit me with, the total was over $400- (shipping was only $260-) and I said no, no, no, no. Got it down to $80-.

I got an LT95 by air last year through TNT, door-to-door. Hmmm. Shipping really is an insane business.

[clubagreenie]

Quarantine will still want to clean it here irrespective of what they did when it left. Claim that they can't guarantee the quality of the wash down but you can't bring stuff in (won't be loaded for destination here) without a certified cleaning.

[SLOWBOAT]

Just purchased a vacuum pump from the UK and it arrived at my door in 5 days. Awesome. I would like to have purchased it in Australia but at $300 + GST + courier compared to $108 + $60 air freight + paypal fee it was quicker and cheaper. Go figure. They obviously still haven't woken up to the fact that the internet is a huge competitive retail store.

[Davo]

Just purchased a vacuum pump from the UK and it arrived at my door in 5 days. Awesome. I would like to have purchased it in Australia but at $300 + GST + courier compared to $108 + $60 air freight + paypal fee it was quicker and cheaper. Go figure. They obviously still haven't woken up to the fact that the internet is a huge competitive retail store.

Too true. They can still afford beer, so they figure, "Who cares?" Is my guess.

[Tombie]

Wonder how much a part for a Vauxhall (HSV commodore) costs in the UK?

Economies of scale, product turn around etc play a huge part in local mark ups.

[clubagreenie]

Oh wow.

What a saga today. Because my goods were shipped door to airport and NOT door to door my shipping quote did not include clearance fees etc at this end. So I'm $370- poorer and more than a bit miffed that these things were not clarified before dispatch. It could have been worse, they wanted $280- to move the thing from the airport to home. A distance of about 40km.

While it was noted that this did not include local charges, because DHL do not use their own aircraft for their global forwarding shipments there are charges for the carrier to unload, access charges for DHL staff going to pick up the stuff and move it a few hundred meters, then there's a charge for one person giving another an envelope with the paperwork, another for someone sitting down and doing data entry to customs to tell them that they've moved the stuff, another to tell them that the paperworks changed hands.

In short I have it with ass clowns screwing us all over and I have a meeting on Monday with the head of customer relations and freight handling. I made it clear that there are certain ways things are done and this isn't one of them. And if I wasn't satisfied I'd be charging back the fees put through in the credit card and they could chase me for it.

[tonic]

Great thread, thanks for all the information. Very handy as I intend to get an R380 off them as well.

As a side, I have brought in heaps of stuff all under 1K, but once very close. All came via TNT door to door and I have never paid any other fees, including 8 steel wheels for the Deefa and camping trailer in one order, they were $50 each our money so $400, retail here for $110 each. The dollar was about $1.10 US at the time, I miss those times:D

[Davo]

I wondered why some sellers in the UK had dropped DHL and gone with UPS and this may be why.

[juddy]

No company in the UK, will advise you on local fees, thats because they have no idea. And these fees can be different at times.

You should see what they charge us to move a container 900 yards from the wharf to the customs house $900, and thats just the start of the 5k left to pay.

[clubagreenie]

The issue isn't that they don't know of the fees. It's in the fact that I wasn't advised until after dispatch that it was only door to airport and that there would be local fees. When I contacted customs they directed me to their site which I had previously seen which detailed buying and importing over the internet and the scope of fees there is simply cost of goods plus shipping & customs duty equals taxable import value. If this amount is greater than $1000- then GST is calculated and added. To calculate if & what duty is applicable you refer to this page, Working tariff 2012 (http://www.customs.gov.au/tariff/tariff2012.asp) , The guys at DHL go through a 18month training course before starting work as a duty assessor just to understand the content. It's an insane read and even with an assessor working through it with me it, and he agreed, doesn't make any sense for a lot of the classifications. It's just that you need to put it into the most applicable category and if you, say in Juddy's case, have a container of multiple items then each item needs to be listed and categorised individually, and you pay for that service.

So in a way, coming in the way mine did was good as they categorised it to minimise my costs and managed to keep it under the GST threshold. But not knowing I'd be up for an extra $400- when landed. I was advised if it got assessed by customs (if it was a larger or different type of or used goods) I could have been up for up to $2000-+.

All I can say is;



If you are bringing in assembled or semi assembled items, have them documented as rebuild kits/parts and new. This negates the need for quarantine inspection and cleaning.
Have goods partially assembled or bundled into as few a number of "kits" as possible. As an example, Ashcrofts Master Rebuild Kit for the LT230 has a lot of individual items in it. If they were all listed individually then it would cost $5-50 per item for the categorisation and they would fall under a different category depending on the material, type of part and application. As a kit is simply a kit, one part, one fee.
Ship it under a door to door service whenever possible. This way all costs are part of the shipping charge. It turns up, you sign and thats it. If it's too large, assess if it's cheaper to break it up into a couple of smaller packages.



Another thing I'll be attempting to do is find out if there is or have done is a guide for (and it's only DHL because I have a meeting there) personal imports, types of shipping and pre paid packages, sizes and weights and costs. They advised that the express door to door services that I've had other stuff come under and doesn't attract landing charges are within the max size (approx apple box size is a guide) and weight (about 50-60kg). So I'll try to get a list of size/weight/package combinations and have it listed here as a guide. And finally perhaps a contact so people can have needs and costs assessed, there were very insistent that they would advise and assist in any way they could to have services originated locally so the receiver could organise their own freight, know all costs and details up front and they would simply need to know packaged size/weight or DHL could supply packaging as determined by need to the supplier and return to pick up the shipment when ready for collection. That way all shipping is costed in local currency.



More to follow.

[Tins]

The issue isn't that they don't know of the fees. It's in the fact that I wasn't advised until after dispatch that it was only door to airport and that there would be local fees. When I contacted customs they directed me to their site which I had previously seen which detailed buying and importing over the internet and the scope of fees there is simply cost of goods plus shipping & customs duty equals taxable import value. If this amount is greater than $1000- then GST is calculated and added. To calculate if & what duty is applicable you refer to this page, Working tariff 2012 (http://www.customs.gov.au/tariff/tariff2012.asp) , The guys at DHL go through a 18month training course before starting work as a duty assessor just to understand the content. It's an insane read and even with an assessor working through it with me it, and he agreed, doesn't make any sense for a lot of the classifications. It's just that you need to put it into the most applicable category and if you, say in Juddy's case, have a container of multiple items then each item needs to be listed and categorised individually, and you pay for that service.

So in a way, coming in the way mine did was good as they categorised it to minimise my costs and managed to keep it under the GST threshold. But not knowing I'd be up for an extra $400- when landed. I was advised if it got assessed by customs (if it was a larger or different type of or used goods) I could have been up for up to $2000-+.

All I can say is;



If you are bringing in assembled or semi assembled items, have them documented as rebuild kits/parts and new. This negates the need for quarantine inspection and cleaning.
Have goods partially assembled or bundled into as few a number of "kits" as possible. As an example, Ashcrofts Master Rebuild Kit for the LT230 has a lot of individual items in it. If they were all listed individually then it would cost $5-50 per item for the categorisation and they would fall under a different category depending on the material, type of part and application. As a kit is simply a kit, one part, one fee.
Ship it under a door to door service whenever possible. This way all costs are part of the shipping charge. It turns up, you sign and thats it. If it's too large, assess if it's cheaper to break it up into a couple of smaller packages.



Another thing I'll be attempting to do is find out if there is or have done is a guide for (and it's only DHL because I have a meeting there) personal imports, types of shipping and pre paid packages, sizes and weights and costs. They advised that the express door to door services that I've had other stuff come under and doesn't attract landing charges are within the max size (approx apple box size is a guide) and weight (about 50-60kg). So I'll try to get a list of size/weight/package combinations and have it listed here as a guide. And finally perhaps a contact so people can have needs and costs assessed, there were very insistent that they would advise and assist in any way they could to have services originated locally so the receiver could organise their own freight, know all costs and details up front and they would simply need to know packaged size/weight or DHL could supply packaging as determined by need to the supplier and return to pick up the shipment when ready for collection. That way all shipping is costed in local currency.



More to follow.

Any more on this? I think Craig would be interested.

[Tins]

Resurrecting this old one cos we're thinking of getting some stuff from the US.
This is not LR stuff, but FIAT, but the principle is the same of course.
Has anyone got experience with using the US Postal Priority Mail Service? The supplier uses them for insurance purposes. They mark all packages as 'Antique Auto Parts'. Anything we get will be less than $1000 inc shipping. Anyone see any pitfalls here?
After the experiences that prompted me to start this thread I have no intention of importing ANYTHING without doing some homework first.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Reading this old thread, I notice there are quarantine cleaning charges. Well what about stuff that's bought privately online? You buy a used part, it's posted to you and you get it in the mail. The soiled part by-passes out quarantine.
I bought a used fly reel from Canada, who knows what organisms arrived with it ready to be introduced into our water ways.

[Tank]

Resurrecting this old one cos we're thinking of getting some stuff from the US.
This is not LR stuff, but FIAT, but the principle is the same of course.
Has anyone got experience with using the US Postal Priority Mail Service? The supplier uses them for insurance purposes. They mark all packages as 'Antique Auto Parts'. Anything we get will be less than $1000 inc shipping. Anyone see any pitfalls here?
After the experiences that prompted me to start this thread I have no intention of importing ANYTHING without doing some homework first.
After my experiences with shipping from the USA I would advise not to.
Shipping fees are ridiculous, $28 for an item the size of a match box and about as heavy and it was 19 days in Florida USA, (item from N.E, coast) and 2 days actual getting from there to my door.
If I remember correctly Dave (Incisor) posted a Sticky about a third party shipping agent that could do it quicker and cheaper.
Also bought a Cam Timing kit from USA, kit cost AU$128, shipping was AU$120, small package under 3KG, took a month to get it both through UPS, they've lost me.
Shipping from UK don't seem to bad, except for cost, Paddocks quoted AU$158 for a MM alternator and AU$150 shipping, bought same item from Karcraft in Sydney for $305, delivered next day, regards Frank.

[Landybitz]

Reading this old thread, I notice there are quarantine cleaning charges. Well what about stuff that's bought privately online? You buy a used part, it's posted to you and you get it in the mail. The soiled part by-passes out quarantine.
I bought a used fly reel from Canada, who knows what organisms arrived with it ready to be introduced into our water ways.

It must be very difficult to monitor postal items, containers and large air freight seem to be what AQUIS concentrate on. Having said that I have never not had a AQUIS pass and no cleaning required on used cars/parts.

[67hardtop]

I bought a disc conversion kit for my s2a from the Netherlands. Two parcels, very heavy. Seperate receipts so i didnt have to pay import duties. Sent Friday afternoon from the Netherlands.
On my door step Monday morning.
Thanks fed ex.
Bought 2 bluray discs from Melbourne.
Took 2 weeks. Work that out. Importing is quicker if u use the right carrier IMHO.
Freight wasnt cheap tho, but was quick.

Cheers Rod

Sent from my GT-I9507 using AULRO mobile app

[Roverlord off road spares]

Bought 2 bluray discs from Melbourne. Took 2 weeks. Work that out.

Cheers Rod

Sent from my GT-I9507 using AULRO mobile app
For, snail mail in Australia should only take about 6 working days. Express is normally overnight. eParcels are a pain and real slow to deliver.
Also depends on when seller posted the article, some are slow in posting waiting days before they send stuff.

[67hardtop]

They sent it to perth by mistake.

Adelaide

Perth

Hard to work out that the two names not only look different but they sound different and they are spelled differently too. Some new australian prob threw it in the wrong pallecon.
Then i found out that they were sent by courier.
They use rail transport between melb and perth.
Thats why it took so long. Fastway couriers.
Pretty slow....

Cheers Rod

Sent from my GT-I9507 using AULRO mobile app

[DiscoMick]

When you say still in chassis is it a front cut?

If so there's another minefield there, especially secondhand of potential quarantine cleaning costs and the handling of it will be a nightmare since it's on a pallet and they'll charge accordingly.

If it's on a pallet you may be charged a motza to have the pallet burnt since untreated wood cannot be imported. I speak from experience.

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[87County]

.................

The silly thing about all this is, could we have got a comparable quality reco R380 here for less?
Please, don't anyone say yes!

No!

[Tins]

No!

In the end, that made it all seem a little better. As I said, Ashcroft's were great, and the gearbox is fantastic.

[mudmouse]

Hmmm, is it just the UK? In the early nineties I bought a leather jacket ($400) from a mob in London and had it sent with the pick up costing nearly $200.

In 2014 I bought four wheels from Summit Racing ($1300) and the Fedex freight to my door was $240.

Sorry to hear of your expenses but no doubt once the box is in and you're on the road that memory will fade....

[d2dave]

Purchased a cyl head from Turners about 4 years ago

Rang them and paid on a Monday night. It was in Melbourne on the Friday
and as I live in a rural town it was at my local post office on Monday.

15 days ago I ordered some disc pads for the D1. As this vehicle is now only a run down work hack I wanted the cheapest I could get.

Found some on ebay in Perth for $40 delivered. I got an email the next day to inform me that they had been sent.
After 10 days they have not arrived. I contacted the seller and after investigation it turns out the courier had lost them.
Seller offered to send another, but I could not wait any longer, so they happily refunded my money

So I can get a head from the UK in 7 days, but a freight company in Australia can't get a set of brake pads from Perth to Tatura.

Mario. I would have got them from you but you were away.

[Tombie]

I've just done 3 more transactions via MYUS and again seamless.

I've also got 6 shipments on the go from the UK. All expected this week.

Bet they all beat the order coming from Brisbane....

We won't even mention the orders somewhere between China and here... It's like Christmas every day!!!

[loanrangie]

My head took 3 days from the UK but then 2 days from the depot to my door, an ipad touchscreen from Brisbane took almost 3 weeks and the couriers name was Fastway :o.

[CraigE]

If it's on a pallet you may be charged a motza to have the pallet burnt since untreated wood cannot be imported. I speak from experience.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

Maybe depending where it is coming from. However I had no issue with my R380 form the UK on a pine pallet. Left UK, Germany, Malaysia, Perth. Door to door no issue, why I used and insisted on TNT over DHL. No extra or hidden charges.

[V8Ian]

Maybe depending where it is coming from. However I had no issue with my R380 form the UK on a pine pallet. Left UK, Germany, Malaysia, Perth. Door to door no issue, why I used and insisted on TNT over DHL. No extra or hidden charges.

One and the same now, since DHL went on a spending spree.

[bee utey]

Certified pallets are clearly marked with code to show the country of origin, manufacturer and method of treatment. Timber marked HT is heat treated and safe to dispose of or burn. Timber marked MB is treated with methyl bromide and is not safe to burn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISPM_15

[Tins]

Digging this up again. I'm now sick of waiting for my D2 to come home, and thought I'd check out getting an auto from Ashcroft's. Is there any more recent advice on importing something like that?
I know I'm not the only one interested.