Buying Rover parts from UK

[jim-00-4.6]

So, looking around online for various & sundry parts for the RR.
Island4x4 in UK has good prices.

The questions:
1. their prices "include VAT". Are consumers in US subject to that? That seems like a sales tax of sorts, do US consumers pay that?
2. import duties: wtf. I started looking at the US import duties online, and I'm no wiser for the time spent.

Concrete example:
MAF for 2000 RR: about $70US from Island4x4, includes VAT.
ignoring shipping for the moment, how much will US Customs want to charge me?
This is for personal use, not resale.

Island4x4 prices are significantly lower than US-based suppliers for identical parts.
I'm wondering if import duties and shipping are going to kill the price advantage.

 

[mbs13]

Customs wont charge you anything on value under $200.

Have them send it overnight courier (FedEx, UPS, etc) and it should come straight to you with no problem.

 

[jim-00-4.6]

WIN!

Thanks, mbs13.

 

[mbs13]

Just keep in mind that if you go higher value or another shipping method, you might want to look at working with a Freight Forwarder / Customs Broker to avoid delays and/or storage costs.

Not that you couldn't clear yourself, it's just usually easier to pay someone the $1-200 bux to do it for you.

 

[Rugbier]

Call the Vendor, they will remove the VAT for export sales.

And verify with your credit card for exchange rates, they are always 6-10% higher than market.

If they take PayPal , they are the best exchange rate ( still not Market ) but close.

 

[ptschram]

If you receive packages on a regular basis and there is a customs declaration, CBP will catch it and will begin to charge you an 8% import duty. If you order bearings or other parts for which there are tariffs, not only will you get to sign a declaration that there are no kick-backs, but you'll get to certify you're not part of a dumping program.

Safety sensitive parts (lights and brake parts) will require a certification that they meet safety standards.

If you import any one item with a value of more than $1000 you wll be required to post a bond.

If you're doing it for a living, you'll have to complete an "identification of importer" form and go through a background check with DHS, but it's not a big deal, just say you promise not to ship to Cuba, North Korea, or Iran, don't employ felons and only employ American citizens and you're good to go.

Last year, my bond was just shy of a grand, this year, it will likely be almost $2K

 

[adriatic04]

just buy, let me know how it goes. Coincidentally I was on their site last week looking to buy the land rover tool for the driveshaft.

I buy bike parts and gear from the UK all the time, they show up tax/ship free as air mail all the time.

 

[Mongo]

PT, only if the parts are for re-sale...I've been getting regular parts shipments from LR Series and Craddocks, with zero issues. I even had to go to customs to pick up one part and I asked specifically about this. They said as long as your not re-selling them, they waived the bond and the customs fee. Order away...

Interesting about the safety cert, I just got brakes for both 110's and had zero issues

 

[ptschram]

PT, only if the parts are for re-sale...I've been getting regular parts shipments from LR Series and Craddocks, with zero issues. I even had to go to customs to pick up one part and I asked specifically about this. They said as long as your not re-selling them, they waived the bond and the customs fee. Order away...

Be careful of this. In the past, before I had the shop, I got a box of parts and a month later, I got a bill for the fees from CBP.

 

[Mike_Rupp]

So Paul, what you're saying is that people should just avoid purchasing from the UK altogether and just buy things from you since it's such a hassle?

I've purchased many things from the UK and never had the slightest issue.

 

[mbs13]

Be careful of this. In the past, before I had the shop, I got a box of parts and a month later, I got a bill for the fees from CBP.

Do you remember what the fees were for?

On any item sub-$200, it is released on what is called a Section 321 release. There is no formal entry made with Customs so no duties or fees. The courier files those with Customs based on the value shown on the value declared at time of export. The plane lands, docs walked through Customs and then shipped on out for delivery. The only exception would be if Customs does an inspection and they don't agree with your valuation of the item (lets say Rolex only $150 on invoice), then they can request that a Entry be filed and duties paid. If the shipper says that the box contains $800 worth of parts, then you should receive a request for Customs entry to be made.

Now, even if your goods are selected for by Customs for an entry to be filed you should just be able to go to Customs and clear it yourself with little problem. If you're not near the port of entry, you'll need to have someone act on your behalf to do it.

PT is correct that there are additional considerations (bond, antidumping duties on bearings, etc) for certain commodities and whether or not it will be for personal use or resale. Certain items for vehicles need to be certified by NHTSA before importing. US Customs enforces the NHTSA regulations at time of importation so as long as the NHTSA form is filed, it is usually released. They do this for a number of different Government Agencies which have oversight of certain items being imported into the US as those agencies don't have the manpower to have staff in each port. If your shipment has not been halted for additional info its because 1) Customs did not notice what the commodity was or 2) Commodity does not require NHTSA info.

You should also be aware that depending upon what your states sales tax laws are, you might have to pay that as well. That bill comes much later and to much surprise to the importer. I only recall this happening twice in my career, once for a marble sculpture and the other for antiques both valued at several thousands of dollars.

Read this: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/internet_purchases.xml

If you still have questions, let me know and I'll try and explain.

 

[jhmover]

Carefull, the TSA may want to feel up whatever you're importing before they let it in.

 

[KyleT]

how do they value whatever it is? invoice from seller?

 

[mbs13]

how do they value whatever it is? invoice from seller?

Thats what is normally used.

If it seems off, they'll have you prove the cost shown is what was actually paid (credit card receipt, cancelled check, etc).

If it goes further than that, someone is lying about something and it gets complicated.

 

[KyleT]

Thats what is normally used.

If it seems off, they'll have you prove the cost shown is what was actually paid (credit card receipt, cancelled check, etc).

If it goes further than that, someone is lying about something and it gets complicated.

so probably cant get a defender in for $300? but what about a td5? seen several on ebay for under ?250 recently.

 

[adriatic04]

Freight on and engine would kill it. Plus fluids, oils are hard and and engine has/had those.

 

[Mongo]

I gotta argue with guy's about this...I've shipped everything from a center console from Ashcroft, to brake parts from LR Series to interior bits from Craddocks, wiring harnesses, air cleaners, it's pretty long list. WITH ZERO ISSUES! I've had to pick several up from Customs. The only time I've ever paid duty was on the center console from Ashcroft, and that was $13.75. I've talked with the Customs agents here, and import agents, discussed at length what we are doing and as long the parts are legit and match the invoice, no problems. KEY TERMS: LEGIT and MATCH INVOICE

I've heard stories about getting invoices for duties months after the shipment cleared, stories about hugh duties accessed on shipments, shipments ripped apart and denied because of incorrect paperwork and on and on...Have yet to have any issues and this has been ongoing since mid 2009

The reality of this is that I can get the parts I need, in a week, from the UK, for at least a third less,and sometimes half of what domestic prices are...

If your are running a parts business, it totally different rules

 

[KyleT]

Freight on and engine would kill it. Plus fluids, oils are hard and and engine has/had those.

name me another way to get a td5

 

[mbs13]

I gotta argue with guy's about this...[/quote

Maybe I wasn't clear in my previous posts but ordering from overseas is not that difficult for most items. I'm actually even surprised that you had to pay duty on the console, but without seeing your paperwork, I don't know what they made you do or how the entry was done. Every circumstance is different and it'd be too hard make a generalized statement without knowing particular facts. For most of us non-parts-distributors on the Board buying something from the UK, we should be fine if you follow what was outlined in the link I posted before and all the paperwork matches like you say.

The only big exception I see for most enthusiasts would be buying a non-exempt (tdi, td5) engine. Regardless of cost, you'd get hung-up in Customs as they should want to see EPA cert before releasing.

As a licensed Customs Broker, I would advise against anyone trying to import an engine without the proper EPA certification. It's illegal* to do (even if for personal use) and holds a risk for penalty and/or lost money on not only the engine but the exam fees, storage, re-exportation costs etc. If all the documentation is filled in correctly and honestly, then it should be caught upon import that the engine is not legal and won't be released by Customs.

Now people will jump in and say they know someone who has one or that you can do it this way... blah blah blah. I am very aware that there are engines here in the US which do not hold certification. A guy in my local club has one. There are also Cuban cigars, Absinthe, and German Kinder Eggs. All are illegal but are easily ordered online and most of the time delivered without issue. For the most part, personal shipments are less scrutinized by Customs as they are not a prime source of enforceable duties and are generally of low value. But just because they are not usually scrutinized, it does not mean that they are exempt from import laws.

IF Customs wants to inspect cargo and require a formal entry to be done, people shouldn't be surprised. If upon their inspection it is said that the product requires additional certification, people shouldn't be surprised. If someone is worried about it, they should call up Customs and ask to speak with whatever team is responsible for <insert product here> in the port that they plan on importing to. They will be able to give you exact info on what would be required upon entry so you could have in advance of shipment arriving all ready for quick release once it's there.

*there are certain exemptions for importing a non-exempt engine but none of them would allow it to be installed or used in a vehicle.

 

[Roving Beetle]

name me another way to get a td5

14 separate boxes of small parts valued at less than $200 over the course of say - 16 months? atriot: