Import duties on parts

[MrDeVil_909]

Hi all,

My E34 535i needs a lot of work after what seems to have been a hard life under previous ownership.

One of the biggest things that I want to do is replace the front thrust arms. Apparently it isn't a super tough DIY job, so I call up the dealers for a quote on the parts.

I get told they are R3600 each, and bushes are R450 each so I'm looking at over 8 grand to get rid of the horrible clunking under braking. I'm not one to use animated smilies much, but :dropjaw:

I have tracked down a few places overseas that export. I can get both arms (Lemforder) posted via USPS Express for about R2300.

So the only question is, duties, what are they? I'm sure I've seen 20% of the value as the figure. Anyone imported parts who knows? Or just via someone else? I'm sure that as long as the duties are under 150% I will save cash, but forewarned is forearmed.

And how does SA customs charge the duties to the recipient? Do you pay the postman when he shows up, or do you need to make payment before customs will release the goods?

 

[zaleonardz]

Gizmo has some contacts with suspension bits.

Drop him a PM, keep us updated, I plan to redo the entire front suspension on the E34 in the next 2 to 3 months.

 

[MrDeVil_909]

Gizmo seems to be the guy to talk to about everything, already contacted him re a LSD.

Going to drop him another PM, but still, anyone know about duties?

When I start working on the car I'm definitely going to do a full restoration thread. Starting with Diff and probably rear suspension bushes, then the front end and a bit of engine work.

Then the fun stuff.

 

[Sips]

Not sure about parts but I have imported books and other stuff. I normaly pay vat. You need to budget for that. They will send you the slip with the charges and you will have to collect from your local customs clearance office. In CT its in Epping

 

[Major]

I stand to be corrected, but don't ZF South Africa distribute Lemforder products?

 

[netercol]

the post office collects duties for sars on international parcels, so you pay the vat and duty when you fetch the parcel from your post office.
the parcel gets classified and given a duty code at the airport post office sorting warehouse.

duties on stuff like electronic goods, books ect. is 0%, you just pay vat,
duties on motor or body parts is usually 20%, plus vat of 10%-14%

this being south africa, its kinda random sometimes, sometimes stuff gets classified wrong, sometimes they charge duty + vat on the whole amount (shipping included) instead on just what the item cost..

alternatively if you use a courier like fedex , sometimes you pay duty + vat , which they pay over to sars, sometimes they dont.. also a bit random.

if you can get the seller to mark the parcel as a gift or a sample, you can get away without paying anything a few times..

 

[MrDeVil_909]

Major: I see Lemforder actually is a division of ZF. I will give them a go after the long weekend, see if they can be any help.

netercol: Thanks very much, that's basically what I figured. But Google wasn't helping me much.

Would be nice to know exactly what to expect instead of typical Post Office randomness, but even with shipping, duties and vat on the whole lot together is a saving.

I'm actually tempted to just import something fairly cheap in the US and expensive here, just to see how it works out.

OE Ignition leads, R4100 from the dealer. Imported and with 24% added on to the whole shebang, including the shipping (worst case scenario) R1612. The ones from parts shops are useless, no spark sensor wire.

hmmmmmm

This is also pretty cool. A complete 16 piece front end kit for $399. The only concern is the no-name parts. For most parts it's probably ok, but the Thrust arms may fail fairly quickly. But that is quite a chunk of cash all at once. About R5300 if the Post Office charges duties on the shipping.

 

[Major]

Major: I see Lemforder actually is a division of ZF. I will give them a go after the long weekend, see if they can be any help.

Let me know if you come right, I'd like to replace one of my control arms. :thumbsup:

 

[MrDeVil_909]

Ok, report back.

First I confirmed the thrust arm prices from BMW. The guy I originally spoke to must have been smoking crack, they are not R3600 ea, they are nearly R2000 from the dealer. Not toooo bad, but still not great.

Then the nice lady at ZF Lemforder told me that they only supply BMW, not any other outlets. Bugger.

So unless Gizmo manages to come through I'm going to import. The same Lemforder part from the US is R1300 including duties, VAT and shipping. It isn't a super massive saving, but 600 bucks is 600 bucks.

I do need some engine parts first, ICV, upper Timing Chain cover and spark plug leads, which I've sourced at decent prices in Denmark, but the suspension needs to be done in the next few months.

Anyone else keen on getting together to import? Bulk orders may be more affordable.

 

[///M_POW]

Nice nice..

Ya we must import in 1 bulk order saving in shipping cost will be hugh :thumbsup:

 

[Major]

I'd be in for sure then! :thumbsup:

 

[MrDeVil_909]

Cool, so that's some interest. It will probably be a while (a month or two) before I can get my ass into gear, so anyone else keen to jump on the bandwagon has time to find space in the budget.

For reference, the places I'm looking at are FCP Groton in the US, and Schmeidmann in Denmark. There may be other sources, but these guys ship directly to us without the need for a US address. If you want to shop and do some currency conversions, here is the place.

Some parts are cheaper than others at each store, and some are only available in one or the other. Shipping from Denmark is a bit pricier. That store has other outlets, but I think they have a central warehouse. Whichever one you order from the shipping costs are the same.

When I order it will probably be from both, so feel free to check out both sides to make your choices.

 

[E39 Ian]

Cool websites!!! :excited: