Importing from Australia

[Flying Torquewrench]

Has anybody got experience with importing parts from Australia?

How easy is it to import from Aus to the UK and how is the import tax calculated? According to the Gov.uk website tax is calculated at 20% which is quite straightforward. In addition to the VAT one has to pay customs duty. Up to a value of £630 this is 2.5% and above £630 the rate is dependent on the sort of goods and the country of origin.

For the VAT calculation, packaging and shipping cost have to be included. Does the same apply to the customs duty?

If I can keep the customs duty at 2.5% then it would be worthwhile to import. However if it becomes an unknown territory than the risk is to great.

[Barrbeast]

I've shipped quite a lot of stuff over, as long as the shop/seller ships (or is willing to ship) international that part of it is never an issue.

I'll be honest I've never tried to precalculate the duty/VAT, I just accept I'll have it on top as I'm always bringing something in that I can't get easily (or at all) in the UK or the Oz price is significantly cheaper that I'm willing to take a punt!

The most expensive item I've received so far was a solid flywheel conversion and HD clutch kit for my old Y61 3.0, I can't remember the duty/VAT figure exactly but I know the kit was around £850 and all in plus duty etc and garage costs for fitting I was around £1,300 in total vs £1,300 just to buy the kit in the UK.

I recently had some cash in (had to sell some kit) and treated myself to a set of these as I need to do something about the shorty's rotten rear windows (sliders in the rubber are shot) and no-one in the UK does a kit or imports, and certainly not a DIY no-drilling option. I'm keen to upgrade my storage options as I rarely use the rear bench.

https://emuwing.com.au/product/nissan-patrol-y60-gq-swb-2-door/

Cost has been £1,179.63 so far straight from Oz vs £1,453.39 (1,600 euro) I found from a Dutch importer - but they never responded to me when I asked for a shipping cost to the UK so I don't know how much else I would have been for shipping. They have shipped from Oz but I don't know what the duty will be yet although I reckon I'll end up similar costs to the Dutch option (with postage) once I'm all in :nenau

[Flying Torquewrench]

Thanks Barrbeast. :thumb2

Might have to give HMRC a call and see if they can give me a rough idea.

I am also after a solid flywheel and HD clutch kit. A dual mass flywheel in the UK is £1000+ . Whilst a conversion kit in Australia is 990 Oz Dollar, roughly £600 ex shipping and VAT/Customs duty. I expect to pay roughly £800 all inclusive which isn’t too bad.

https://quickautoparts.com.au/clutch-kits/242-heavy-duty-clutch-inc-solid-mass-flywheel-for-nissan-patrol-gu-28l-diesel.html

Haven’t enquired yet if they ship to the UK but at the moment I am waiting for a UK supplier to get back to me. Hey do flywheel but are currently out of stock. Hopefully they can get one.

[Barrbeast]

I got mine from Direct Clutch https://directclutch.com.au/index.php/dual-mass-to-solid-conversion/

They were really helpful in identifying the right kit and they definitely ship international :thumb2

[Flying Torquewrench]

Thank you Barrbeast. I will drop them a line in the New Year!

Out of interest, how long did the transit from Oz to the UK take?

[Barrbeast]

Depends who they use to ship, I find DHL generally tend to be the quickest though. My EmuWings were picked up by DHL on 23 and I've just had a notification that they're due for delivery today :D

Also, I've never yet had a notification saying there's duty to pay (most couriers will pay it and hold the item at your local depot until you reimburse them) so fingers crossed it looks like they may have managed to sneak it through without customs slapping a bill on it!🤞🏻

I have heard that DHL can sometimes manage that...

[Flying Torquewrench]

6 days is not bad at all on shipping from the other side of the world over the Christmas period. :thumb2

[Barrbeast]

6 days is not bad at all on shipping from the other side of the world over the Christmas period. :thumb2

I know right!

They've just arrived... no customs charge :D:D

[Flying Torquewrench]

A late Christmas present from HMRC! :thumbs

[Barrbeast]

A late Christmas present from HMRC! :thumbs

It turns out not... :(

Looks like DHL stuffed up by delivering them first but it's not too bad, about £200 so I'm still quids in though on the cost for the Dutch importer I found :nenau

[Flying Torquewrench]

That’s a shame. I had hoped that it slipped the net in the busy Christmas period. But as long as you are happy with the product then it is worth it.