Cheers Bloke! good to know.

A couple of months back I was quoted $1380 for the Estreets from Rocket Industries... I'd have to recheck & see how pricing is now but that to me made it sound more desirable to buy here in Oz...

Likewise check with Fabre Australia, they're the new Trickflow dealer and while they were waiting for stock I did get quoted $1530ish for 170cc Track Heats landed here in Perth...

For Blue Thunder parts try Flatlander Racing in the US, Art Francis (Blue Thunder) is notorious for being impossible to contact, and I've had very little luck with anyone here in Australia when it comes to BT parts.

Heads are under $1k each .. No duty etc...
May pay little extra in handling ..
Send to two different addresses here..

I was going to that with the FE edelbrocks for my 390. works out to just under 1k by a coupla bucks.

You know what, I think the shipping companies may be double-dipping on us. They charge us for the freight, then they charge us GST and customs fees and whatever other fees...

I just had some gearbox parts sent to me the other week (part of an order that was lost in transit previously). For insurance purposes, we declared the full amount of this package - $1700 + postage and insurance of $200. It was sent through US Postal Service and I got a letter in the mail to tell me it was being held until I filled out and sent off an "Import Declaration (N10) - Post" form. It was a massive f**k around and took me the best part of 2 hours online finding the correct tariff classification of the goods, but once done and sent off I waited for an invoice to come through. A couple of days later, the parcel arrived and I didn't have to pay a cent!

Here's a bit of interesting reading, if you can be bothered. I had a quick look for engine parts, but couldn't come up with anything. http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5663.asp#tariff490

This is at the bottom of the PDF for US originating goods - # Unless otherwise indicated rates for US originating goods are Free.

It's getting late and I can't find much on GST. I'm interested to know what we're required to pay GST on and if there are any concessions.

I found most of my parts came in under 8708.99.8075 (parts and accessories for motor vechicles) and also 8409.91.9020. It would be nice if they were free from the US but I dont think we are that lucky!

Ok what's FI and DC and CA?

from what I understand the letters represent the country of origin which all have different rates,
FI is forum island countries, DC is developing countries and CA is Canada

Hey dutchy, good to see you still about. If you go to the tariff page and look up 8708.99, if you scroll down, it says this - Unless indicated in Schedule 5, rates for US originating goods are Free.

There's nothing in Schedule 5 on 8708 or 8409, so my understanding is that they are free.

I just found some info on GST. http://www.ato.gov.au/businesses/conten ... /13193.htm

It appears I may not have had to pay it because the parts were listed as replacement for lost items in a previous order.

Anyway, I think I've gone a bit off topic now. Maybe I should start another thread somewhere with an appropriate title for future searchers.

Hey Chad, it looks like replacement and waranty items are exempt from duty. I found this in the Customs Tariff Act 1995 which I think says to refer to schedule 3

"Schedule 5 (sections 15 and 16)
This Schedule provides rates of duty for US originating goods, as specified in section 13A. The Schedule lists an identifying item number, the heading or subheading in Schedule 3 and the rate of duty that applies to that heading or subheading under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement. Where no rate is specified for a heading or subheading of Schedule 3, US originating goods are "Free."

Below is what schedule 3 says

"8708.99.91 82 ..---- Of a kind used as components in passenger motor vehicles-10% DC:5% CA:2.5% From 1 January 2010 5% CA:Free"

I think they have tried to make the whole process confusing and they have succeeded!!!

Yep, confusing it is. I'm expecting another order this week, or early next week, so will see if I get charged anything this time.

let us know how you go mate!

Just picked up latest order today. $3k worth of gear kit and extra input shafts from the US. They came straight through, without being stopped by customs, or having to do any paperwork. No added costs...

You have to be happy with that!