Importing from Tirerack

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

Hi all.

I'm interesting in getting some star specs from tirerack. About to pull the trigger. I can't identify any hidden costs (customs, Duties, Taxes, and Brokerage fees). Am I missing something here?

Appreciate experiance from folks doing this before.

Ta
Greg

Hi, the following is a copy of your quotation as we have it today.

Please note that all billing is in US Dollars. In addition, we only accept the funds via a certified check or a wire transfer - unfortunately no credit cards or PayPal.

Regarding customs, Duties, Taxes, and Brokerage fees, you would be responsible for these when you receive your merchandise and payment of these fees would be directly to your shipper. Now that you have your quotes, you can check with your shippers local office to see what the charges would be.
Qty Item Number Description/Comment Price
4 95VR5Z1SS 195/50R15 DU DRZ SPRT Z1 STAR $132.00 Ea.

ShipTo Zip» 2611 AU / Ship Whse.» SB
Mds Total $528.00
Ship Total $328.36 Via FedEx International Economy - 6 business days.
Total Due $856.36

If this look's like it might work for you, just let me know and I will send you all the ordering details!

If you have any other questions or would like to place the order in person, please feel free to contact me at 1-800-428-8355, Ext. 4627. I am normally at the Tire Rack on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm EST, and from 11:00am to 8:00pm EST on Tuesday's and Thursday's, plus every other Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm EST.

Please note: If replying to this email, please be sure to include the full contents of this message in your reply. This will allow me to respond more accurately and promptly to your message.

Best regards,
Roger

[Suspense]

I ordered a set of Star Specs earlier this year (around May or June I think it was).

Costs were:
- tyres (to Tire Rack)
- shipping (to Tire Rack)
- wire transfer fee (to my bank)

That was it. No duties or anything because it's <$1000. They ship with Fedex and a tracking number. They were here in less than a week. Great service, would do it again.

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

Great, thanks very useful.

I'm talking to FEDEX now

Joanne : So you are checking on the duties and tax charges then?


Gregory : Yes


Gregory : Tirerack said:
Regarding customs, Duties, Taxes, and Brokerage fees, you would be responsible for these when you receive your merchandise and payment of these fees would be directly to your shipper. Now that you have your quotes, you can check with your shippers local office to see what the charges would be.


Joanne : Well, for FedEx we will impose a fee of Australian Dollars 55.20 for the customs entry fee. This is per shipment that comes in. For GST charges we have been advised by Australian customs that it will be 10% of the cost of the goods plus insurance plus transportation fees and duties charges is subjected and will only be known upon package arrival in the country


Gregory: How do I pay you the $55.20 fee?


Joanne : Via credit card. It will be imposed together with the GST and duties and tax charges in 1 invoice


Gregory: So when the goods arive in Australia, you will contact me?


Joanne : Do take note that there will be extra fees for quarantine if the package needs to go through the Australian Quarantine


Joanne : Yes, customers will be contacted upon package arrival for the payment

[Charlie Brown]

As above but for me 17" tyres cost $373 for transport.

If you're in despirate need to get the tyres you'll find it quicker to pick them up from the FedEx yard at Alexandria (bit of a drive for you) rather than wait for local delivery.

[Suspense]

Check that that customs fee applies, or whether it's already taken into account with the shipping charge from Tire Rack. I definitely didn't pay anything to Fedex like that, it was just a payment to Tire Rack through wire transfer, then a bit more tacked on by my bank for the transfer fee ($40-60 I think it was).

[manga_blue]

You got the same Tirerack quote as me:

Qty Item Number Description/Comment Price
4 95VR5Z1SS 195/50R15 DU DRZ SPRT Z1 STAR $132.00 Ea.

ShipTo Zip» 2611 AU / Ship Whse.» SB
Mds Total $528.00
Ship Total $328.36 Via FedEx International Economy - 6 business days.
Total Due $856.36

They delivered exactly as quoted and as scheduled. No extra fees except local tyre fitting.

Bank transfer through OzForex.com.au is a $15.00 fee and market exchange rate. Overall that works out about $50-$100 cheaper than using your own bank for that amount of money. Just go to OzForex, register, book a deal, answer a phone call to confirm, transfer from your bank to them and they transfer to US almost immediately. Don't worry if their website says there's minimum transfer amount of $1,000, they do transfer less than that all the time.

[sailaholic]

Customs entry ect don't come into play if the shipment is under $1000.

[ertert]

I ordered a set of 225 Hankook RS3s for ~$800 and that was that.

[Kenta]

Has anyone ordered from tirerack and had more than 1k worth of goods? I was looking at getting a set of tires AND rims which would certainly push it over the limit. Wondering if it's worth paying shipping twice than having it go through customs and having to pay for that..

Thanks,
Dave

[bruce]

But Customs are onto that trick. I think you'd have to use a different name and address for the second order (bit of a pain to sort out, even if you get a relative to do it).

[Kenta]

Ah nuts. Sounds like you've learnt from experience.. do you happen to know how much customs is then?

[bruce]

Not off the top of my head. Tis GST and duty combined, on total order including shipping.

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

Ah nuts. Sounds like you've learnt from experience.. do you happen to know how much customs is then?

10%

[Muzdaman]

Has anyone ordered from tirerack and had more than 1k worth of goods? I was looking at getting a set of tires AND rims which would certainly push it over the limit. Wondering if it's worth paying shipping twice than having it go through customs and having to pay for that..

Thanks,
Dave

Did that with my coilovers a few years ago.
2 were shipped together, had the next 2 shipped about 5 weeks later. Easy.

Just order wheels and order tires 5 or 6 weeks later.

[Kenta]

Ah nuts. Sounds like you've learnt from experience.. do you happen to know how much customs is then?

10%

If it's only 10% then I'm not sure it'll be worth getting it shipped twice.

My product total is at $1,120 assuming shipping is about $500 so about $1600, 10% is only 160 extra. Judging by Greg's experience paying ~$350 for the 4 Star specs (which i would also be getting), it could be a pretty negligible difference.
500+160 vs 350+350
660 vs 700

660 is the less hassle option too so I may go down that route, I emailed for an accurate shipping quote though so we'll see