[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by MO3

The tyres I ordered from Tirerack are in Alexandria now and the status at FedEx Tracking shows: "Clearance delay. Goods are subject to regulatory review."
Is there anything I should do?

I would presume its just being cleared by customs, nothing you can do really but wait

[Ben0426]

Originally Posted by MO3

The tyres I ordered from Tirerack are in Alexandria now and the status at FedEx Tracking shows: "Clearance delay. Goods are subject to regulatory review."
Is there anything I should do?

Maybe whit for a few days? Mines are still on they way to sydney.

[MO3]

Tyres just got delivered. Had to pay $252 import tax though!

[M-Four]

Originally Posted by MO3

Tyres just got delivered. Had to pay $252 import tax though!

Ouch!

[JJH]

Originally Posted by MO3

Tyres just got delivered. Had to pay $252 import tax though!

That is an 'ouch' but really not that bad in the scheme of things - think of the savings when compared to buying local.

BTW have any of you been hit with Australian Customs $40 inspection fee on top of the import duty/GST? I received a quote from TireRack also and the rep there advised that I "may be subject to this additional charges due to recent changes in the import process for tyres".

I am looking at 235/265 tyres for my 335i and was quoted $379 shipping.

[NBTBRV8]

Originally Posted by MO3

Tyres just got delivered. Had to pay $252 import tax though!

What was the cost of your tyres and how much was the freight?

[MO3]

Tyres: $1,134
Freight: $379
Money transfer fee and conversion : $53
Import tax: $252
Fitting: $60
Total: $1,878
Driving experience: Priceless!
MPSS FTW!
I guess I need wheel alignment as well, do I?

[NBTBRV8]

Originally Posted by MO3

Tyres: $1,134
Freight: $379
Money transfer fee and conversion : $53
Import tax: $252
Fitting: $60
Total: $1,878
Driving experience: Priceless!
MPSS FTW!
I guess I need wheel alignment as well, do I?

Your tyres cost over $1K, so you would be very lucky not to pay import duty. How much did you save over buying locally in the end?

I'd get the alignment checked just as a matter of course when fitting the new tyres.

[Zen]

Originally Posted by MO3

Tyres: $1,134
Freight: $379
Money transfer fee and conversion : $53
Import tax: $252
Fitting: $60
Total: $1,878
Driving experience: Priceless!
MPSS FTW!
I guess I need wheel alignment as well, do I?

It is still a bargain, compare to what you pay at the local shops (bobjanes, jax etc.)

[drjekl]

Just an idea guys, I normally import tyres in pairs, and have them valued accordingly.

Another thing you can do is ship a pair to a relo, if you're worried that customs will notice 2 pairs of tyres coming through with your name on it but then again some tyre outlets in the usa start wanting to charge extra for p&h in pairs (even though they generally ship them in pairs by strapping them together when sending 4 tyres anyway) but an honest tyre outlet wont charge you any extra to do this normally

[NBTBRV8]

I also find it is generally cheaper out of the UK, even if you have to pay VAT.

[JJH]

Originally Posted by NBTBRV8

I also find it is generally cheaper out of the UK, even if you have to pay VAT.

Interesting that the UK is an alternative; I would not have thought that. But you should not be charged VAT should you - being outside the EU? It usually helps asking for the VAT to be excluded because of your location.

[NBTBRV8]

Originally Posted by JJH_335

Interesting that the UK is an alternative; I would not have thought that. But you should not be charged VAT should you - being outside the EU? It usually helps asking for the VAT to be excluded because of your location.

I've canvassed a dozen or so and none are willing to sell VAT free. Camskill are known to have the cheapest tyres in the UK but they now refuse to even sell to Australia even if you organise your own collection.

Buying in the UK is different to Australia, the industry is set up with so many mobile fitters too, so picking up can be difficult. Through a contact, I have come up with a reasonable source by shipping/ordering through his business.

It is cheaper in the UK, freight is also generally a bit cheaper.

Just go and compare the prices between Tirerack and Camskill as an example.

[JJH]

Originally Posted by NBTBRV8

I've canvassed a dozen or so and none are willing to sell VAT free.

That is unfortunate but surely not legit for them to do so. I buy a lot of hobby related stuff from the UK (and even Germany) and in all cases their websites automatically waive the VAT as they are delivering to a non-EU address.