I read somewhere on the Australian customs website that the $1000 by post thing is the rule they go by, if someone can be bothered that would be worth checking up but I suspect that they would have real troubles charging GST when their own website says you don't have too if the item comes by post.

Out of the US use USPS ( US postal service) cheap, quick and more reliable than couriers. I always insist on USPS as it's never much more than half the price and often less! Out of the UK royal mail is usually the go but still a lot more pricey than Auspost

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Noli Illegitimi Carborundum

We bring it quite a bit of stuff from the UK and can only second the fact that royal mail is the way to go, in the last month I have had both DHL and UPS bring parcels over and both times it has cost me a fortune not only the duty and GST but there charges for clearances well if I could swear on here #$@&^%$$#@ high, DHL still wanted to charge me $59 for one parcel that didn't have any duty or GST levied, they can whistle for it

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

I'm sure Mini Spares & others prefer couriers to Post Office as they pick up- they probably get a `consideration' too.

I got burned a while back on some Mini forged 1.5 rockers- 90 quid, I told them to post so they sent UPS. Bastards.. the 90 quid cost me over $350 with all the charges and taxes.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have come close to getting UPS when I haven't read closely, big difference to USPS!

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Noli Illegitimi Carborundum

Can anyone tell me is there any saving to be had if I got a contact in the UK to buy my parts for me then post them to Australia. Presume I'd be paying UK VAT, but would Australian customs be looking for part of my wallet too?

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if over the import limit then yes

sounds like the same thing that happend to me made the parts not so cheap

But if you can prove it is only able to be used on a car over 30 years of age you can loose some of the australian tax

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67' Matic
73' S

Yea duty on 30+ year old cars is minimal (full GST still applies though). You dont have to "prove" anything - just make a statement to customs (for your sake we all hope its true) that the items are intended for a 30+ yr old vehicle. Or ask the sender to write the year on the customs declaration.

When it comes to import duty and GST, the rules actually allow for the customs people to collect duty and GST on ANY amount at all. Their policy is not to bother for small amounts for private use. This is their choice, not our right.

The reason you get stung with it by courier is that the courier company will automatically organise for duty and gst to be paid on anything they bring in, and they will charge you a fee for the pleasure.

Go royal mail! But remember, anything you bring in privately MIGHT be hit with duty/GST, even though in reallity this won't be the case.

Another hint, if you get something sent, send it to a private address, much less likely to be noticed than in a business's name.

Cheers,
matt

Pre 9/11, the `custom' was not to bother, unless there was $50 in it for customs.
I often brought stuff in, via courier or post, no duty, even on a $499 shipment.
different now...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have been thinking about buying a set of twin carbies from the UK for some time now. There seem to be heaps available over there and they are going cheap. Problem is that with a weight of about 4.5kg I have been quoted 50 pounds = $117 OUCH!

Two points here. The first is where did the quote come from, secondly anytime you want to buy anything in the UK, OUCH applies due to the strength of the UK pound. The yanks squel like stuffed pigs over it as they can't understand why their dollar is not king of the heap.

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Quote from the UK Mail website. 4.5kg for a twin setup with manifold. It really bugs me that there are so many sets of carbies for sale over there and the I can't find any here. Maybe I am not looking hard enough.

Andy Sang???

Rob was flogging a set up here at our last meeting and I think Wayne would probably be able to scrape up a set....both are coming down in October to the muster so delivery cost would be zilch

I will put out the word if you wish.....

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"Show me the Mini!"

G,Day Mick.
Sounding good on the twin carbs. Looking for something to suit an 1100. Actually still looking for an 1100 as well. Keep a very close ear to the ground for me because I will be needing this stuff soon.
Cheers and beers in October
Andy.