Importing from america?

[Bremsoe]

Just wondering what everyone is buying from america lately, with the dollar so high ($1.01) you can grab many bargains, im looking for stuff to buy but cant really think of much so this can help me out with ideas as well.

[one_and_only2004]

dealextreme.com

So much awesome stuff, and it's all really cheap, plus free postage!

[vk.jonno]

69 chevy camaro

[1SIKR8]

LS7 ? lol =D

[AirStrike]

I just purchased $1200 worth of Autometer gauges that would be worth over $2000 here.

[Swordsy]

Watch out buying stuff from over sea's, over AUD$1000 and it starts getting expensive.

Irrespective of how your imported goods arrive in Australia, you will be required to lodge a formal Customs Import Declaration if their value is above A$1000, and pay the calculated duty and taxes

Importing Goods by Post

If you do want to split them up into different packages, you need to send them to different people here (i.e yourself at work and your missus at home etc)

If multiple packages arrive in Australia to the same consignee sent from a single consignor overseas, the value of all packages may be combined for duty and tax assessment purposes

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5549.asp

[Bremsoe]

thanks swordsy, although i already knew most of that, do you by any chance know how they figure out the tax and duty? as i may be looking at buying single items over the price of 1000 depending on how much i will have to pay at customs

[Swordsy]

The best I can do for that is this link, it has a couple of examples.

When buying over the internet

[D3V14NT]

Bought some goodies for my TH700. Transgo stage 2 shift kit, corvette servo, 2x pinless accumulator pistons, .500 boost valve, 0.300 reverse boost valve and a heavy duty valve body plate for just over $250 inc postage.

[Bremsoe]

Bought some goodies for my TH700. Transgo stage 2 shift kit, corvette servo, 2x pinless accumulator pistons, .500 boost valve, 0.300 reverse boost valve and a heavy duty valve body plate for just over $250 inc postage.

what site did you get those goodies from? if you don't mind me asking.

[TA 91 WA]

I am also curious, might as well take advantage.

If anyone else knows some reliable sites please list them.

[Sphinx]

got all my toys from speedinc.com. awesome stuff for LS1s. i didn't pay import duty as the value of the stuff was less than a grand. texas-speed.com is great too. just pick anything from the 02 camaro range at speedinc or 98-02 f-body at texas speed and you'll be right.

[D3V14NT]

what site did you get those goodies from? if you don't mind me asking.

Got them from CT Powertrain Products on ebay.com. CT POWERTRAIN PRODUCTS

They list most of their items multiple times and there is usually at least one listing thats cheaper than the others so have a good look around. Don't forget to combine postage on your items or it'll cost a heap more.

Now I just have to wait for it all to arrive.

[Stressball]

When I bought one of my camera lenses from overseas, the dopey twit listed it's value as $1000 with $0 postage. Technically the threshold for import tax is "over $1000 including postage", so I didn't need to pay tax on it. I got a letter from customs saying they wanted $180 in import tax etc before the package would be released. 2 days later, it arrived without me doing anything. I guess the first bloke thought that the threshold was "$1000 and above", and the next bloke thought it was "above $1000"

[Demonica]

I always import my parts for my Chrysler. ####ers over here tried to charge me $500 for a window motor and I got a new one from the US for $100 including post so now I buy all my parts from there. Also bought several pairs of Oakleys, Ed Hardy/ Christian Audigier shoes, clothes bags etc which retail for shit loads more over here. Also bought a few pairs of Nike shoes which generally retail at less than half the price than what they sell for here. American eBay FTW!!!

Also hoping to import a 67 Chevy Impala in the next year or two

[Deutscher]

Stupid Import tax.
When I brought my Yamaha S215V cabinets from America, I think I paid ~$1400 inc. shipping but when they got here I think I ended up paying ~$400 for importing tax. So ended up paying $1800 for them and Over east was selling them for $2500 + shipping. So I guess I saved a little but not as much as I hoped due to import tax... I took the risk because of the deal but after realising import tax I sure as hell hoped these wouldn't be damaged etc.

Edit: this was couple years ago now. I'll see if I can find some paperwork. It was a hassle tho, I had to go and get paperwork, fill it in and they check it etc. That wasn't such a big deal because the place was pretty empty when I went. Just the place wasn't near the same place I pick up the items!

[ari666]

i thought the free-trade agreement between the states and aus meant anything manufactured in US was duty free, still gotta pay GST on cars, but we get to skip the usual %5 duties.

anyways, for a bit of fun:
Summit Racing
Classic Industries | Restoration Parts | Camaro Parts | Firebird Parts | Nova Parts | Impala Parts | GM Truck Parts
YearOne, Inc.

[Fekason]

I have bought books, computer bits, mower parts (including engines) and perfume. I have saved lots, but watch the import implications closely.

Note that the $1,000 applies to postal deliveries. If you use a courier, it can be applied from $250. I imported a number of computer bits using DHL with no troubles, even though I sometimes exceeded the $250 by a little. Then a shipment through Fedex got smashed on duties, and took much longer to arrive as well. Recommend DHL if you use a courier, and keep costs below $250. However, US Post is really good. DHL generally took about 3 - 4 days, Fedex about 6 - 8 and US Post never more than three weeks.

Perfume can be really good. My wife (and I) like White Linen parfum, not EDP or EDT diluted stuff. It used to be available in Myers for AUD$105 for a 1/2 oz bottle. From the US, 3 oz bottles over the years have varied between AUD$55 to AUD$80.

Lately I have been importing some DVD's and Blu-Rays from the UK. I have a multi-zone DVD player and the UK are in the same Blu-Ray zone as Australia. Savings have been very significant, and British Post delivery has been less than two weeks consistently.

[Benboy]

Very often, anything with a value in excess of $AU1,000.00 can be subject to payable duty on entry into Australia. Also be very alert as to the charges for postage/delivery. USA is one of the most expensive countries in the world for their o/seas postage. I wanted to purchase 3 DVD'd from the same place in USA and was quoted $US54.00 postage/delivery. What a 'rip-off'.

[fullpower]

ive got some great deals recently!

[Philthy]

Buy a car. Work has gone off its head with old chevy, mustang, corvette etc imports.
A lot of car parts coming through, and even things like pots, lawn mowers, bbq's, outdoor settings, boat parts, horse feeders

Actually, scrap that. Buy a microlight aircraft

[AirStrike]

Yeah I just ordered some gauges that came in just under $1000 so no GST or inport duty for me! Also Fekason not sure where you got that info from but I used Fedex on my stuff which was US$960 and it arrived in 4 days (which inclueded the weekend here) and paid no GST or duty.

[ari666]

yeah i dont know what duties everyone is going about, i have spent approx 4-5 grand on parts for the impala through various american websites and ebay over the last 18 months and there has been no additional costs whatsoever. we even bought a 2007 mustang, which although we have to pay customs clearance and GST, there is no duties on it. and yeah, its worth quite a bit more than $1k

the only sting you will get on postage is when a company (like summit racing) charges 'postage and handling' rather than just postage. the 'handling' word can cost you tonnes if you dont watch it. some companies think they have the right to whack on huge costs, just cos its going overseas.

[Deutscher]

As I recall, don't you get imports tax if a single item is over $1000? for example if you buy 2 items @ $600ea (total $1200) you wouldn't get taxed.

[Swordsy]

As I recall, don't you get imports tax if a single item is over $1000? for example if you buy 2 items @ $600ea (total $1200) you wouldn't get taxed.

Yes, you will. as above

If multiple packages arrive in Australia to the same consignee sent from a single consignor overseas, the value of all packages may be combined for duty and tax assessment purposes