Extra charges for importing wheels and tyres?

Brissie · 02-09-2010, 07:41 PM

I'm contemplating importing wheels and tyres from the states.
I read that some had been asked to pay over $600 for extra custom charges and GST recently from the AluFelgen group buy thread.
Can those who had imported wheels or tyres recently post what extra charges they had to pay, on top of the international shipping fees of around US$300-400?
Also did they deliver to your door or did you have to pick up from the airport?

Thanks

alik01 · 02-09-2010, 07:50 PM

Got my tyres from Tirerack.com. The tires were around AU$1100, shipping arpund AU$300. Got hit up for around $300 in customs charges and duty. All up was about $1700 landed and am pretty happy about that, since the guys here asked for a lot more ad said 2-3 weeks to get it. I had it from Tirerack in 5 days, including the international money transfer! Delivered directly to my work, I was shocked at how soon it got here.

I love the tyres, really miles away from the Goodyear runflats!

Had some issues with fitting, so make sure you get a good place with a solid reputation, not just a famous name!

Alext · 02-09-2010, 08:18 PM

Remember, if they are made overseas in a country that Australia has a Free Trade Agreement with (eg USA) then you will NOT have to incur customs duty, only GST at 10%.

Even if they are made from materials not originating in that country, under section 153YE of the AUS-US FTA (if buying from the USA) then you can gain exemption.

Immediately before it lands in Australia (do not wait until it has cleared!), you will need to contact your courier company (eg FEDEX) and ask to speak with a customs broker and state you wish to claim preferential duty rates. They will then email/fax you a statement that you must fill in, indicating the relevant section you with the claim the exemption and fax it back to them with evidence that the item was manufactured in that particular country.

And hey presto, you saved yourself $$$.

Unfortunately not many people know about this and end up paying the Australian Government more taxes than necessary!

Example: you wish to purchase a diamond ring from the USA. The total price including delivery and insurance is $20,000.

The import duty on jewellery is a set 5% (interestingly no import duty on unset, loose diamonds though).

The setting is made in the USA, however the diamond originally comes from Africa and was cut in Holland. This does not matter as the ring itself was manufactured entirely in the USA, even though from materials not originating in the USA.

You can STILL claim duty exemption on the TOTAL, thus saving you $1000! Note GST is still payable of $2000.

BMW86 · 02-09-2010, 09:10 PM

I purchased 2 sets of RE-11 tyres from Tirerack. I bank wired the transfer which came just under US$2300. The tyres were shipped within a couple days but they were held up in Customs for quite some time. Here were the additional charges that I incurred during customs:

GST
Import Duty Tax
Quarantine
Customs Clearance
Total $626

Currently, I have a set of CSL Gunmetal Wheels awaiting clearance from Customs which I purchased from Alufelgen. I will update you when I receive them.

If you keep the value of the goods under AU$1000 you will avoid most taxes and additional costs.

Alext, that is an interesting point that you make about the customs broker. I spoke to Customs today and they advised me that it would be cheaper to find one in the yellow pages that would do this for me. However, I was contacted by the shipping company and they said they would do this for me provided that I sign a LOA.

BBK · 02-09-2010, 09:21 PM

Can't you get the seller to say you only paid.... say $850 for them? I know of purchases made from overseas that they have done that so that no taxes are paid. Even without asking them!

alik01 · 02-09-2010, 09:46 PM

That's a compelling point, Alext, I used to
import perfumes and would be duty free if manufactured in Australia. Unfortunately, my tires are made in France, so no luck there.

BBK, most sellers on eBay will be happy to do this for you but reputed sellers and actual companies won't do so. Also from an accounting point of view, they need to put down the correct amount for their statements and
taxes.

Alext · 02-09-2010, 10:07 PM

If you get the vendor to underdeclare the value of the goods then you risk having them undervalued for insurance purposes. Not to mention it is illegal.

qship · 02-09-2010, 10:22 PM

I just ordered a set of new tyres from tirerack ($900 us ex delivery). The new non RFTs should arrive shortly. Will let you know how it goes.

aus135i · 02-09-2010, 11:28 PM

got my wheels today, paid $350AUD on top of the $299USD shipping fee...

125 customs agency fee
25 border security
20 cargo automation
33 terminal fee
38.50 ADF
12.50 postage & petties
65 international terminal fee

FFS!!! just checked the wheels, and 2 of them had damages, lucky not on the outside face of the wheel... overall not a happy customer... they suck!

Blacky · 02-10-2010, 03:23 AM

18" Alloy Wheels have a tariff concession number so you can quote this and pay no duty.

GST will always have to be paid, unless under a G.

micha3l · 02-10-2010, 05:13 AM

Can you just get them to send each wheel seperately? That way the value of each item is less than $1,000?

BMW86 · 02-10-2010, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus135i

got my wheels today, paid $350AUD on top of the $299USD shipping fee...

125 customs agency fee
25 border security
20 cargo automation
33 terminal fee
38.50 ADF
12.50 postage & petties
65 international terminal fee

FFS!!! just checked the wheels, and 2 of them had damages, lucky not on the outside face of the wheel... overall not a happy customer... they suck!

Mate sucks to hear that. At least I know what I'm up for. All these extra charges are a joke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacky

18" Alloy Wheels have a tariff concession number so you can quote this and pay no duty.

GST will always have to be paid, unless under a G.

What's this tariff concession number and who would I quote it to?

Quote:

Originally Posted by micha3l

Can you just get them to send each wheel seperately? That way the value of each item is less than $1,000?

But then you have added shipping costs.

micha3l · 02-10-2010, 05:25 AM

When I had my iForged Wheels sent by FedEx a few years ago it was based on size, and if they were together or seperate it was a matter of a few dollars?

Maybe the pricing has changed since

Brissie · 02-10-2010, 06:43 AM

Thanks for all the reply. Now I am a bit confused. Correct me if I read it wrong, but Aus135i paid $300USD for shipping, plus $350AUD at the custom, yet another member, mr_130_oz, who also ordered wheels from AluFelgen, had to pay $400USD for shipping, plus $618AUD in custom fees. see here:http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...224109&page=49
I am not sure why there is such a discrepency.

Alext, if the wheels and tyres are ordered and shipped from the US, but the wheels are made in Taiwan/china (VMR wheels, not sure where they are made, but I assume Taiwan/china), and tyres are made in Japan, custom duties are payable? I assume the GST are payable too as the total value would be around $2000. If the wheels are custom powdercoated in US, do they then become american made?

BMW86 I would be interested to hear what extra fees you have to pay.
Thanks

aus135i · 02-11-2010, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

Correct me if I read it wrong, but Aus135i paid $300USD for shipping, plus $350AUD at the custom

100% correct! u didn't read it wrong!

I was advised by DB Schenker SYDNEY the following...

300USD shipping fees = PORT TO PORT (getting the item from where ever to OZ, this is aiport to airport)

350AUD fees to get the item off the plane and on to a truck and get them to the warehouse of the shipping company, and all the other shit that happens...

But all else aside, they are now on the car with the new rubber and i must say its still worth every $.... ROFL

takahashi · 02-11-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micha3l

Can you just get them to send each wheel seperately? That way the value of each item is less than $1,000?

Here is a smart one...

If the custom tax is more than the shipping cost, I will rather have the money going to the logistics company.

Surely shiping the tyre one by one (or 2 by 2) will have better outcome in $ terms.

I have a several address plus friends with businesses. I can just have 2 tyres to my parents and 2 to me and same for the wheels.

Richard135i · 02-11-2010, 05:41 PM

Okay, now I will add a question to all this and maybe take it on another level of complication.

I have just order a BMW Performance Exhaust costing between AUS $940-$990 with shipping between AUS $295-$340.

Any idea if I will be getting ripped by Rudd and what cost I might be hit with would be much appreciated.

Its funnyhow if we change pricing on the shipping box it is illegal bt the government can add GST on Stamp Duty on I don't know how many others taxestey hae invented.

I understand they want us to keep our money here but why when BMW Australia in return is simple gonna rip us off with BMW Performance pricing.

Alext · 02-11-2010, 07:17 PM

Taka: that is a plausible idea, just remember their names will have to be on the respective invoices. (ie they will have to pay for it).

takahashi · 02-11-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alext

Taka: that is a plausible idea, just remember their names will have to be on the respective invoices. (ie they will have to pay for it).

I don't think they check ID when you pay for it... hmmm...

cough...anyway my mate's name is the same as mine

. It is very confusing in my Facebook conversations.

I will put my father's name alright he can pay for it

takahashi · 02-11-2010, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard135i

Any idea if I will be getting ripped by Rudd and what cost I might be hit with would be much appreciated.

To best of my knowledge. The tax threshold is excluding shipping cost.

However, it is much of discretion of the custom officer. He can pull a lot of reasons to get you pay tax. I have been internet ordering stuff for years, mostly from Japan.

Most of the time I get hit is when the product is close to $1000 ($400 until 2 years ago) and large item!

So tyres, wheels and exhaust are targets. Since some company will order one for customer as business you see.

I dunno. $900+ after conversion is very close. For your sake I hope the AUD$ don't drop any further.

I ordered mine thru AB.

takahashi · 02-11-2010, 11:01 PM

OH BTW Richard, I just remember...

The custom use the conversion rate on the date of invoice. So if you have the invoice ... you will be able to find the T/T rate of that particular day from a bank and see if it is over $1000.

Best of luck

mr_z4mc1m_oz · 02-14-2010, 01:19 AM

Hi mate, i'll scan and upload the tax invoice for you to read. Hope that clears it up for you.

Wheels are on the car now and look great!, but would of preferred if I knew that i was up for $618 extra. I thought it would be $200-$300. Not a lot in the scheme of things I know, but still a bit of money for not much extra service, considering I even had to go and pick them up from Alexandria!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

Thanks for all the reply. Now I am a bit confused. Correct me if I read it wrong, but Aus135i paid $300USD for shipping, plus $350AUD at the custom, yet another member, mr_130_oz, who also ordered wheels from AluFelgen, had to pay $400USD for shipping, plus $618AUD in custom fees. see here:http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...224109&page=49
I am not sure why there is such a discrepency.

Alext, if the wheels and tyres are ordered and shipped from the US, but the wheels are made in Taiwan/china (VMR wheels, not sure where they are made, but I assume Taiwan/china), and tyres are made in Japan, custom duties are payable? I assume the GST are payable too as the total value would be around $2000. If the wheels are custom powdercoated in US, do they then become american made?

BMW86 I would be interested to hear what extra fees you have to pay.
Thanks

02-09-2010, 07:41 PM	#1
Brissie Lieutenant 36 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: May 2009 Location: brisbane, Oz iTrader: (0)	Extra charges for importing wheels and tyres? I'm contemplating importing wheels and tyres from the states. I read that some had been asked to pay over $600 for extra custom charges and GST recently from the AluFelgen group buy thread. Can those who had imported wheels or tyres recently post what extra charges they had to pay, on top of the international shipping fees of around US$300-400? Also did they deliver to your door or did you have to pick up from the airport? Thanks
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02-09-2010, 07:50 PM	#2
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	Got my tyres from Tirerack.com. The tires were around AU$1100, shipping arpund AU$300. Got hit up for around $300 in customs charges and duty. All up was about $1700 landed and am pretty happy about that, since the guys here asked for a lot more ad said 2-3 weeks to get it. I had it from Tirerack in 5 days, including the international money transfer! Delivered directly to my work, I was shocked at how soon it got here. I love the tyres, really miles away from the Goodyear runflats! Had some issues with fitting, so make sure you get a good place with a solid reputation, not just a famous name!
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02-09-2010, 08:18 PM	#3
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	Remember, if they are made overseas in a country that Australia has a Free Trade Agreement with (eg USA) then you will NOT have to incur customs duty, only GST at 10%. Even if they are made from materials not originating in that country, under section 153YE of the AUS-US FTA (if buying from the USA) then you can gain exemption. Immediately before it lands in Australia (do not wait until it has cleared!), you will need to contact your courier company (eg FEDEX) and ask to speak with a customs broker and state you wish to claim preferential duty rates. They will then email/fax you a statement that you must fill in, indicating the relevant section you with the claim the exemption and fax it back to them with evidence that the item was manufactured in that particular country. And hey presto, you saved yourself $$$. Unfortunately not many people know about this and end up paying the Australian Government more taxes than necessary! Example: you wish to purchase a diamond ring from the USA. The total price including delivery and insurance is $20,000. The import duty on jewellery is a set 5% (interestingly no import duty on unset, loose diamonds though). The setting is made in the USA, however the diamond originally comes from Africa and was cut in Holland. This does not matter as the ring itself was manufactured entirely in the USA, even though from materials not originating in the USA. You can STILL claim duty exemption on the TOTAL, thus saving you $1000! Note GST is still payable of $2000. Last edited by Alext; 02-09-2010 at 08:32 PM..
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02-09-2010, 09:10 PM	#4
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I purchased 2 sets of RE-11 tyres from Tirerack. I bank wired the transfer which came just under US$2300. The tyres were shipped within a couple days but they were held up in Customs for quite some time. Here were the additional charges that I incurred during customs: GST Import Duty Tax Quarantine Customs Clearance Total $626 Currently, I have a set of CSL Gunmetal Wheels awaiting clearance from Customs which I purchased from Alufelgen. I will update you when I receive them. If you keep the value of the goods under AU$1000 you will avoid most taxes and additional costs. Alext, that is an interesting point that you make about the customs broker. I spoke to Customs today and they advised me that it would be cheaper to find one in the yellow pages that would do this for me. However, I was contacted by the shipping company and they said they would do this for me provided that I sign a LOA. Last edited by BMW86; 02-09-2010 at 09:18 PM..
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02-09-2010, 09:21 PM	#5
BBK Banned 88 Rep 3,070 Posts Drives: A boring one... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [5.76]	Can't you get the seller to say you only paid.... say $850 for them? I know of purchases made from overseas that they have done that so that no taxes are paid. Even without asking them!
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02-09-2010, 09:46 PM	#6
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	That's a compelling point, Alext, I used to import perfumes and would be duty free if manufactured in Australia. Unfortunately, my tires are made in France, so no luck there. BBK, most sellers on eBay will be happy to do this for you but reputed sellers and actual companies won't do so. Also from an accounting point of view, they need to put down the correct amount for their statements and taxes.
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02-09-2010, 10:07 PM	#7
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	If you get the vendor to underdeclare the value of the goods then you risk having them undervalued for insurance purposes. Not to mention it is illegal.
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02-09-2010, 10:22 PM	#8
qship Disillusioned bourgeois capitalist pig! 21 Rep 488 Posts Drives: Blue Join Date: May 2008 Location: Malbin, Ozstralia iTrader: (0)	I just ordered a set of new tyres from tirerack ($900 us ex delivery). The new non RFTs should arrive shortly. Will let you know how it goes. __________________ You can lead a fool to knowledge but you cannot make him think!
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02-09-2010, 11:28 PM	#9
aus135i Captain 27 Rep 828 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SYD iTrader: (0)	got my wheels today, paid $350AUD on top of the $299USD shipping fee... 125 customs agency fee 25 border security 20 cargo automation 33 terminal fee 38.50 ADF 12.50 postage & petties 65 international terminal fee FFS!!! just checked the wheels, and 2 of them had damages, lucky not on the outside face of the wheel... overall not a happy customer... they suck! __________________ GONE: E82,E83,K46,1199s,RS250,F20,F25,F82,Cayenne,G83 NOW: G07, G20, K66 Last edited by aus135i; 02-10-2010 at 01:47 AM..
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02-10-2010, 03:23 AM	#10
Blacky Lieutenant 14 Rep 472 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2006 iTrader: (0)	18" Alloy Wheels have a tariff concession number so you can quote this and pay no duty. GST will always have to be paid, unless under a G.
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02-10-2010, 05:13 AM	#11
micha3l Lieutenant 26 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	Can you just get them to send each wheel seperately? That way the value of each item is less than $1,000?
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02-10-2010, 05:25 AM	#13
micha3l Lieutenant 26 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	When I had my iForged Wheels sent by FedEx a few years ago it was based on size, and if they were together or seperate it was a matter of a few dollars? Maybe the pricing has changed since
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02-10-2010, 06:43 AM	#14
Brissie Lieutenant 36 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: May 2009 Location: brisbane, Oz iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the reply. Now I am a bit confused. Correct me if I read it wrong, but Aus135i paid $300USD for shipping, plus $350AUD at the custom, yet another member, mr_130_oz, who also ordered wheels from AluFelgen, had to pay $400USD for shipping, plus $618AUD in custom fees. see here:http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...224109&page=49 I am not sure why there is such a discrepency. Alext, if the wheels and tyres are ordered and shipped from the US, but the wheels are made in Taiwan/china (VMR wheels, not sure where they are made, but I assume Taiwan/china), and tyres are made in Japan, custom duties are payable? I assume the GST are payable too as the total value would be around $2000. If the wheels are custom powdercoated in US, do they then become american made? BMW86 I would be interested to hear what extra fees you have to pay. Thanks
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02-11-2010, 05:41 PM	#17
Richard135i Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 212 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (1)	Okay, now I will add a question to all this and maybe take it on another level of complication. I have just order a BMW Performance Exhaust costing between AUS $940-$990 with shipping between AUS $295-$340. Any idea if I will be getting ripped by Rudd and what cost I might be hit with would be much appreciated. Its funnyhow if we change pricing on the shipping box it is illegal bt the government can add GST on Stamp Duty on I don't know how many others taxestey hae invented. I understand they want us to keep our money here but why when BMW Australia in return is simple gonna rip us off with BMW Performance pricing.
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02-11-2010, 07:17 PM	#18
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	Taka: that is a plausible idea, just remember their names will have to be on the respective invoices. (ie they will have to pay for it).
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02-11-2010, 11:01 PM	#21
takahashi Retired trackie 36 Rep 1,527 Posts Drives: 1///M Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	OH BTW Richard, I just remember... The custom use the conversion rate on the date of invoice. So if you have the invoice ... you will be able to find the T/T rate of that particular day from a bank and see if it is over $1000. Best of luck __________________ TAKA 一仔BLOGブログ: BMW 1 series M 2011! Delivered 18/11/11.
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