Importing used parts from the USA

gamma_ray

New Member
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134
I'm looking to buy a used gearbox actuator for my QPV and see that there seems to be a lot more of them for sale in the USA.

Has anyone on here imported parts from the USA? What sort of sales tax and import duty might I pay?

Do you think it's a good idea??
 

Parisien

Moderator
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34,927
Are you getting some sort of warranty with same or what if its not as described? A highly recommended source?

No idea about 2nd hand parts, but they hit you hard for almost everything else!


P
 

Parisien

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You need to set up account with these guys to get quotes etc but am sure there are easier ways to get the info


P
 

gamma_ray

New Member
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134
Merci beaucoup Parisien!

The import duty seems relatively low, but the VAT is going to be painful.

There seems to be a dearth of decent used actuators available in the UK/Europe otherwise I wouldn't be looking at this option.
 

allandwf

Member
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11,000
Its also calculated on the total price inclusing shipping, if I remember correctly. I used to import used drums, and a ready reconner was what it cost in dollars would be the toatal price in pounds. Bit rough and ready but wasn't far away.
 

gamma_ray

New Member
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134
Its also calculated on the total price inclusing shipping, if I remember correctly. I used to import used drums, and a ready reconner was what it cost in dollars would be the toatal price in pounds. Bit rough and ready but wasn't far away.

OK, that's useful to know - thanks.
 

highlander

Member
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5,226
The vat is the real killer. My big Minolta lens came from Hong kong and I had to pay full duty and vat even though it is 25 years old......if memory is correct it totalled 20% of the sale price which worked out as a big hole in my pocket I was not expecting!
 

Parisien

Moderator
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34,927
Not sure though if imported as part of a deal, ie with an associated car, there may be differences.........I know a guy on another forum whose imported cars before from the USA, I can ask him if you want?

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gamma_ray

New Member
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134
I think the thing to try to do is to get the exporter to declare a lower price on the item.

Not sure where that leads regarding insurance during transit tho...
 

allandwf

Member
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11,000
I think the thing to try to do is to get the exporter to declare a lower price on the item.

Not sure where that leads regarding insurance during transit tho...

I tried that route a few times. Taking a chance as insurance will only pay out on stated value, and customs can dispute it if wildly out!
 

Phil the Brit

Member
Messages
1,499
Last time I came back from US I brought back a Quattroporte space saver with tyre and also a carbon fibre Ferrari diffuser. Both were second hand and if stopped I was going to tell them they were used car parts from a car boot sale and cost me just a few dollars hoping they wouldn't know a carbon diffuser or space saver from the man in the moon.
 

gamma_ray

New Member
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134
Thanks for the help guys. If HMRC catch up with me, a cake with a file in it will come in handy...
 

gamma_ray

New Member
Messages
134
I should have got back to this before now (apologies).

Buying from the USA worked out really well. I couldn't find a used gearbox actuator on a European eBay site where I was happy about the provenance of the donor car, i.e. How many miles it might have done. Consequently I ended up buying from a site in the USA ('Euro Chop Shop' in California) where it was more transparent about the mileage. I transferred the money for the part on a Friday and it arrived the following Friday - prompt or what!

Anyway, I ended up paying about 20% VAT + import duty (£15) on what FedEx had asked me to pay on what I thought was a 'fair price' for the part. In other words, they didn't actually ask me to state what I'd paid for the part, only what I thought was a fair price...

I guess this type of experience may depend on who you deal with, but for me it was wholly positive.
 

Maseratiman

Junior Member
Messages
214
I just imported a power steering radiator for a GS from Exotic Auto Recycling in California, they have good stocks of Maserati parts. The part I bought was new (they had 4) but box dusty (probably on shelf for long time). Eurospares price £845 + VAT & Delivery, Exotics Price £180 including FEDEX delivered in 36 hrs. I was over the moon! They are a really nice company to deal with. I will always look to USA if UK parts too expensive. You have to mind that the parts are for UK model cars not the US versions (My part was Euro, marked NOT FOR US MODELS and had correct Euro part number)

I didn't pay any import duty or anything extra above the price i paid Exotics.