Importing tyres and wheels from USA experience and FAQ
Thought it would benefit all if we collate the experience of importing tyres and wheels from USA. There are obvious benefits from getting these items from USA and hopefully it will provide a nice guide.
Fill out the template for each shipment, so if you had 2 shipments sent separately, fill it out twice. This is particularly useful to see how often customs charge GST and duties when value of goods is over AUD$1000.
Just to clear any questions regarding GST/duty charged by Customs, visit When buying over the internet. A brief summary is below
Quote:
Value of goods imported at or below AUD$1000
Value of goods imported more than AUD$1000
- GST and duty payable, is based on the value of the products including any shipping and handling charges
The template
Product:
Qty:
Price each (USD): $
Shipping costs (USD): $
Total amount transferred (AUD): $
Purchased store:
Was GST/duty charged. If yes, how much:
Comments: quality of service, delivery times, customs issues etc
FAQ and tips
General tips:
- Always check that you will actually save money by importing. Generally the higher end tyres will be more worthwhile
- Allow around 2 weeks from placing your order to getting your items. If you have been defected for bald tyres, either buy local or not drive the car until the tyres are received.
- If the item value exceed more than AUD$1000, consider splitting the items into separate shipments as they will be further costs and hassle. Even with the added shipping expense, it may end up cheaper to split the shipment.
- Always deal with reputable companies. Buying over the internet can be a very costly experience if the right precautions are not taken.
General FAQ
Q: The value exceeds AUD$1000 and I've decided to split the items into separate shipments. Will I avoid customs and GST?
A: According to Customs, if the packages (consignments) are sent to the same person and are sent on the same ship/aircraft, then the value of goods is totalled regardless of the number of packages. It would be safer to place the orders a few days apart as customs may combine the package value if they come in together. Depending on the supplier, you may need to send separate wire transfers.
Quote:
Customs considers that, for the purposes of Section 68, irrespective of the number of packages in which the goods are sent from one consignor to one consignee (or the number of related air waybills or ocean bills) on the same ship or aircraft, all such packages should be treated as one consignment
Q: How do customs convert USD to AUD to value my goods?
A: Customs will use the exchange rate on the day the package was shipped NOT received. Customs use the spot exchange rate as published on their website. This rate is different to that of what the banks use which is usually 3c below the spot rate
Q: What other charges besides GST/duties are there?
A: Wire transfers typically have a fee of around $25 depending on your bank. If paying by credit card, they may have a currency conversion fee, generally a percentage of the purchase price. If your goods exceed the $1000 threshold, you may also need to pay brokerage and warehousing fees depending on the shipping agent. See question about goods exceeding $1000 below.
Importing Wheels FAQ
Q: Will I receive manufacturer warranty?
A: Generally no. However certain brands may offer international warranty. In most cases you must claim via the supplier, which means you will need to send it back to USA
Importing Tyres FAQ
RE: Importing tyres and wheels from USA experience and FAQ
A motor vehicle includes a vehicle that is partly completed, but does not include vehicle parts. The importation of a vehicle part does not require a vehicle import approval. An import approval is required for a ‘kit of parts’ that can be assembled to build a rolling vehicle. I recommend ACC customs broker in Australia to help you do the importation. Your supplier will send bill of landing, invoice and packing list for you to proceed importation. Once you received documents, send it to your broker.
