Importing stuff...Grrr...

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.

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Originally Posted by johntins

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....

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

Courier is certainly available.

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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...

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Originally Posted by johntins

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?

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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.:)

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.

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by rick130

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by johntins

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!

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