The Camaro Club (UK)
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Importing Parts
http://classiccamaroclub.mfatw.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1226		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Moparwolf [Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Importing Parts
As i'm in need of an Optispark and a few other bits for my 4th gen Z28, i'm considering getting them from abroad. The MSD Opti1 is about £327 from Summit Racing in America, call it £350 with postage. The cheapest MSD i've found so far in this country is £400 + vat (about £480 delivered).
Now, it seems a no-brainer but what if i get clobbered at Customs? Can anyone give me an idea what sort of price the import Opti would end up costing with import duty and what ever else they add on top? Would it be worth the effort for what i'd save?
I need to get something moving before the Opti gives up altogether but i'm not sure which way to go :?
Author:  Z28DUNC [Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
Is it definitely the opti? I had a similar problem and the leads had broke down, had them replaced, problem solved. Just worth a thought, it might still be the opti but leads are a lot cheaper!
Author:  chevy-stu [Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
Import duty is payable on goods of over £36 + shipping costs + VAT on top of that, and you 'll probably have to pay the courier a handling fee. (all a bit sh*t, but that's life... )

So you're looking at item cost + shipping + 10% + possible handling fee + VAT
Author:  silver back [Fri Jun 25, 2010 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
Ive imported parts before and unless they are a lot cheaper you wont save much by the time you are taxed and paid to have it delivered i dont think you would save anything on that price it might be just as well to buy from here as it would be easier to send back as well.
Author:  Moparwolf [Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
I had it diagnosed at Cas-Am and it gave a code 36 which apparently means the Opti is starting to fail? The car is running fine but has to be cranked over about 5 seconds before it fires and the cooling fans come on straight away too. According to Tony at Cas-Am it's the computer's way of showing the car needs attention because otherwise people ignore the SES light and keep using it.
Sounds like if i import one i could end up paying more than i would in this country! Cheapest so far is WASP (Wisbech American Street & Performance) at about £470, dearest are AutoPontiac who want £757.88 inc vat :o
Cheers Lads, i'd better go smash open the piggy bank!
Author:  waylander [Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
luck of the draw TBH.... my stripes should have been charged £35(ish) duty - however the postie just chucked the tube into the garden so no charge :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Author:  Rocky [Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
You pay 3.5% duty on parts and shipping then VAT on the lot plus handling charges normally £10-£20 depending who it comes by,
If I was getting in a large order I could do a good price for you but if I ordered it seperatly it would probably be a bit cheaper than what you can get it for from the States.
Author:  Moparwolf [Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
I've got stuff coming from all over the place at the minute! A few bit's are via Dave Eady who seems to know his stuff and the prices are ok too. A pair of re-con Injectors are on their way from Rock Autos in the States and the Opti is from Chandler Motorsports on ebay so i'll see how it all works out in the end :crazy:
From what i've heard Customs seems to be hit and miss. A friend of mine imported a T5 box for his V8 Cortina and saved a fortune even after Customs charges but another brought in some panels for his second Gen Z28 and got hammered :(
Thanks for the advice, i'll see what happens next...
Author:  Rocky [Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
Customs are alot stricter than they were but you may be lucky with small parcels, With Rockauto you should pay the VAT on checkout which means there is little or normally no customs charges to pay when it comes in.
Author:  Moparwolf [Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Importing Parts
Ah, that explains the extra charge at Rock Autos :thumbup: You can tell i've been 'out of the loop' regarding owning Yank Cars for a while :lol:
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