willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
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hia,
Anyone here purchased car parts from the states?
Looking at the possibility of ordering some bits from firms/ebay over in the states to take advantage of the exchange rate. Anyone done this?
What problems am I likely to run into with importing goods in? I remember reading somewhere there was a service online somewhere that take your goods and ship them to you as 'gifts' to avoid tax... again anyone used this?
feedback appreciated. 
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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anything under £60 in value i dont think they bother with, over that youll get taxed/duty whatever they call it.
I thik customs are fully aware of pakcages marked "gift" Thats just a silly myth IMO. If it was that easy id be starting my own heroin importing business, just write "gift" or "do not open" on the box and your laughing
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All Torque
Member
Registered: 17th Nov 05
Location: Milton Keynes Drives: Ford Focus TDCi
User status: Offline
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My dad imported a whole car from Texas (which was in a container with a Ferrari 355 and wasn't strapped too tightly...).
The import fees were a bit much, like a % of the value of the goods. I'll ask him with I'm next home as hes about to import a new engine block.
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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My mate buys stuff from the states all the time
He has motorbikes and saved £103 on a Arai Helmet from over there
Delivery was £40 too :wow:
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R1CH
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 03
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
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I used to order MSD 550 injectors from the states,
Used to be able to get a set for 130 quid.
Thats 270 cheaper than Regal!!
Ask them to ship it as a gift / sample to avoid any duty
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P1CK4D
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Registered: 19th Jun 06
Location: Around Essex Somewhere
User status: Offline
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Ive bought quite alot from japan and overseas from ebay. Ive never had a problem with tax or anything. All ive ever had to pay is the amount agreed at the end of the auction.
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DarkBahamut
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Registered: 4th Jun 06
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
User status: Offline
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Theres a few things to point out. There is infact a limit on the amount of 'gifts' you can recieve this way, too many and they will look into it, gift marked or not.
There is also a value limit on gifts, if the 'gift' is marked as being over this value then you still have to pay fees no matter what its marked as. You can get around this by marking it as a lower value to get it under the set price, but this means if you need to make a postal claim you'll loose whatever extra value the item was worth.
I used to send/receieve a fair few things from a friend in states before, but most of the time its more hassle than its worth unless its a super bargin.
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BeArDy
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Registered: 7th Aug 00
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
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I have had loads of things over from the US.
The % you pay go's off what the item is and the value.
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Gareth
Member
Registered: 2nd Mar 00
Location: Derby, Drives: EVO VIII MR & pug 308
User status: Offline
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Had a few gifts for the evo never had a problem with import duty they were only plastic/carbon though
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StuartVRS
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Registered: 9th Feb 03
Location: Bromley Common, Greater London
User status: Offline
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i ordered a dump valve kit from an american company, called them up and they explained the tax problems so as it was 2 bits, they put it as 1 item for $30 rather than the 2 items, 1 at $30, 1 at $270 that it actually was.
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willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
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value is going to be about £600 or so I'm guessing.
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