The real cost of parts from USA

[Krait]

Hi,

When I imported my wheels from the States DB Schenker provided documents in Word format from the Australian Customs website.

Bob at Vintage Wheels just completed the paperwork stating that the wheels were of US origin sent the docs with the wheels, strangely enough he said he'd never been asked to do that before.

Would upload the docs but this site doesn't allow it. PM if you'd like a copy.

Cheers

[albanycobra]

Is it me or have the 'handling' charges risen ?

Yeah Summit now charge a $25 handling fee on international orders. I just ordered another $600 worth from them yesterday.

[Rob. Smith]

Originally Posted by albanycobra

Yeah Summit now charge a $25 handling fee on international orders. I just ordered another $600 worth from them yesterday.

Thanks,... I'm not going nuts as fast as I thought.

[Keithc8]

We can help with TKO transmissions, Quick Time bell housings, clutch and poressure plates and we have done a few engines as well. We ship all over the world and can help with everything you might need. We can work with you on the paper work as well. I feel that when everything is said and done we can save you money on all fronts.

Thanks, Keith Craft

[mikeforte]

Hi Hogster,
I am an Elite Distributor for Tremec and stock all Tremec models and have everything needed to install into your project. I developed many external hydraulic slave/fork kits that are very reliable and easy to install.
I export all the time and can ship very quickly at discount air freight rates. I also ship small items (up to 70 lbs.) US Mail (USPS) so save money too.
If you want a quote, please email me at the address below.
I am also available nites & weekends for tech support either by email or my cell phone.

Originally Posted by hogster

I am after some experience based advice please.

Have just had a bit of a win and I'm ready to a buy gearbox, clutch, bell housing etc.
I want to buy a tko600, and the US price is way cheaper than in Oz.

Has anyone done a similar thing, and what did the gear cost landed here.

The build is always exciting in buying phase.

Thanks
Hogster

[LoBelly]

Originally Posted by Keithc8

We can help with TKO transmissions, Quick Time bell housings, clutch and poressure plates and we have done a few engines as well. We ship all over the world and can help with everything you might need. We can work with you on the paper work as well. I feel that when everything is said and done we can save you money on all fronts.

Thanks, Keith Craft

I can verify this, my 347 is the beneficiary of half a pallet of goodies supplied by Keith Craft, they listened to what I wanted from an engine and helped me by identifing cost-effective component choices, then provided one of their own custom grind cams to suit* - and sent it all through with paper work that made everything as easy as possible.

Being super anal I had a spreadsheet of all the component costs and even after conversion, shipping and the significant bite from the customs handling fees were apportioned against each component I was still over $500 better off on the best local price for my heads.

LoBelly


* a note on the cam: this was a major mental challenge for me - leaving the cam selection in someone elses hands while knowing how vital it was for performance and the 'character' of the engine, at the same time being stretched by the cost of what I wanted - I needed it to be right first time.
When the parts arrived I went straight for the cam card - specs looked quite distinct from most of the commercial grinds you see for SBFs and I have been delighted with the performance of the engine.

[sambo]

OK here's my experience with customs. I ordered a set of four QA1 shocks and matching springs from the States and submitted a declaration of "US Origin" for the goods (thanks Geoff).

When they arrived I got a call from the Fedex broker and he pointed out that the country of origin for the springs is actually China. No great loss there @ $150 in total. Probably made from Aussie steel anyway!

The shocks came to about $1250 AUD and I paid GST on that ($138) but no duty. There was $8.14 duty on the springs (5%) and another $20 GST. They charged $40.20 for "import dec N10 air charge (goods value > $1000)" and $15 for "AQIS - entry charges air".

All up $220.58 in fees on about $1400 worth of goods, of which $150 worth didn't escape duty.

I tried the "1965 AC Cobra" trick and was told it had been changed to 1962. Maybe they got sick of all the Cobra-philes?

Sambo

[Rob. Smith]

QA1 springs are Chinese. I wonder whether the spring rates are true. Like King Springs they just copy the OEM dimensions and add a bit for raised springs and subtract a bit for lowered springs...real technical.