The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience (good or bad) with importing parts from US. The prices on most things are far cheaper but of course there is the exchange rate and postage. I am looking to buy some parts soon and just thought I would get some feedback first. Pete

i brought some fog lights over from the US for my liberty. Was all very trouble free and saved me about $50.

alex

Postage will be the killer...there is no seafreight option anymore with USPS. I have bought a number of parts from there with no problems.

Dean.

I bought a rear window for my car from the US. It was my only option. Cost about $180 for the postage and that was a very very large box full of packing and foam. All went smoothly. Actually window cost me nothing because of the friendly people on the USMB.

Dave

I get bits and pieces all the time from the US, mainly via eBay but also online parts companies such as rockauto.com. There is simply a far larger supply of parts for the Ugly models in the US. So many more were sold over there in the first place.

I have not had any trouble to date (some panels were dropped by DHL but they were from the UK and that is another story! ). Shipping can work out to be expensive, however parts prices can be a lot cheaper in the US so sometimes it kind of balances out, if you get what I mean!

I have imported race parts for my MX5 for years.
SImple rules I follow are these:
1. If it sounds too good to be true, it is:)
2. remember to factor in freight and exchange rate.
3. Anything over $1000 Australian attracts 10% duty, and 10% GST on top of that. (and dont try and break it up into two parcels unless you send them a month apart, or to a mates place. Customs are not stupid!)

Id like to import dual core l series radiators, they can be had for under $200US

i have brought a heap of stuff from the U.S for my 460 big block and i'll continue to do the same to cut out the middle man here in australia. Markup is just bullshit

I have a bloke in LA who ships direct to melb from LA (no stopping in singapore etc) so when i do a bulk order i'll use jeff.

He said to me the other week if i got my stuff sent with him he was shipping on march 10th and it would of been here mid april, so not bad really considering but i went with USPS for this one item but when it comes time for me to buy stuff like alloy heads etc (bulk orders), ill go through jeff.

as mentioned before you gotta watch GST and customs can get picky... as also mentioned they not stupid.

hope this healps....goodluck

Another thing I do not understand... why its so expensive to post from America - any idea why? Is there anything I could avoid that or around it?
Cheers
AP

AlpineRaven wrote:Another thing I do not understand... why its so expensive to post from America - any idea why? Is there anything I could avoid that or around it?
Cheers
AP

The pacific ocean :S

lol good point click.

it depends how you want it shipped, and remember postage is in US dollars.

USPS offer 2 services, priority shipping or global express. global express will cost you more, but i had my bellhousing here in 4days.... priority shipping was about $100us less but it might of taken 2-3weeks to arrive... USPS is definatly the cheapest option for things but if you need to get a shit load of stuff or stuff like engines etc, get it onto a container, will take longer but price shouldnt be too bad. i got quoted off my bloke to get a crate motor shipped over in a container was less that $300us... all comes back to the exchange rate on the day too, i scored well a few weeks ago buying stuff at 94c US... watch the news and get ya cash ready, sometimes its a now or never deal.

subie_1st_timer wrote:lol good point click.

it depends how you want it shipped, and remember postage is in US dollars.

USPS offer 2 services, priority shipping or global express. global express will cost you more, but i had my bellhousing here in 4days.... priority shipping was about $100us less but it might of taken 2-3weeks to arrive... USPS is definatly the cheapest option for things but if you need to get a shit load of stuff or stuff like engines etc, get it onto a container, will take longer but price shouldnt be too bad. i got quoted off my bloke to get a crate motor shipped over in a container was less that $300us... all comes back to the exchange rate on the day too, i scored well a few weeks ago buying stuff at 94c US... watch the news and get ya cash ready, sometimes its a now or never deal.

How do you send the money over there? I bought a camping stove from the US (very happy with it too). It turned out to be about the same price as over here due to unforeseen fees from the banks. My bank charged $30 to put money in to an overseas bank account that was not with my banking group. The seller's bank charged $US5 to accept that money.

Anyway to avoid this?

Cheers

Bennie

Go to your local PO and ask for an International MO in US dollars (Western Union). Make sure to tell the seller it is drawn on a US bank as they can get antsy with money orders due to Canadian's sending domestic ones to the US (green vs pink from memory) An IMO from Australia Post is $8.65 plus the cost of a stamp ($1.80 or thereabouts) plus the current average conversion rate (same as what a bank will give you).

Or pay with Paypal if they accept it. Paypal will generally give you a slightly worse rate but there are no other costs.

Dean.

The US might also be a good source of EA82T heads as it appears you can get them new. CCR engines advertise their recon EA82T motors all come with new heads and this joint also appears to have them listed, although it's not clear if they are recon or new: http://www.aluminumheads.com

Not sure how the above would work with core charges etc, but at least it shows that heads are around over there.

i just used my visa debit card when i buy from the US and didnt get stung with any extra charges etc... guess depends on the bank???