Importing gear

[CaMo]

Anyone imported gear from the states or overseas somewhere. If so what website did you use.

I believe it will be quite a lot cheaper. For example this set here will probably cost about $200 shipped to my door.

Where as here you would only be able to get the pants for that price plus have to have them shipped or go pick them up.

Would like a new helmet and armour etc but its the shipping that makes the price way more expensive.

Post up any experiences and sites if you have any.

Cheers

PS does anyone here wear a shoulder brace to keep your shoulder tight? Gotta buy one of them too

[dammad1]

Theres a couple of sites in OZ that aren't to bad and the shipping is not that expensive either. I have used dirtriderimports.com with no problems and ballards look ok as well (http://www.ballards.cc/Home/home/Home)

[duckonin]

Be careful spending more than $100 at a time, I stand to be corrected but it used to be $100, or your will end up paying Customs duty, plus GST when your gear arrives, get it all figured out first, this was the way the system protected the retailers, buy your gear in NZ or pay the price....Cheers..

[dammad1]

I think its more like $500 before you get hit with GST isn't it?

And funny enough even if I had of got hit with gst it still would have worked alot cheaper than buying it here.

[notch]

I import most of my stuff for dirtbiking from the US. It ends up way cheaper for most items, except I've found KTM parts can be reasonable in nzl. Shit, I even imported a 40kg amplifier from the us via surface freight, took 2 months to arrive, but was half the price.

Ask for USPS postage - either Global Express or plain Airmail services. DHL or equivilent is very expensive and not worth bothering with.
If you import anything worth more than $400 NZL including postage, you will get stung with GST, and other import taxes. However, the items i have imported over $400, have still ended up cheaper than buying in NZL.

It really makes you wonder how much NZL companies are making - i guess they don't have the same volumes as the states, but shit, if you can import 1 off for much cheaper including postage, the markup must be significant.

[CaMo]

yea it def seems cheaper. What sites did you use notch?

[toebug]

The states does get the volume to help with the price, but you are also looking at buying from internet companies which have minimal overheads. If you go and buy from your local, they have to cover their store etc.

[Voltaire]

Got some gear from Rockymoto, came to about 200 US and 120 shipping.
The website gives you a total including shipping as you go.
Shirts,pants, armour and goggles are ok but boots would sting you on the post.
You need to download all the sizing too as it varies from country to country and company to company.
It works out a bit cheaper than TM but more variety. Was not hit for GST and it took 5 days.

[CaMo]

That rockymoto site aint too bad. Prices seem really good

[FlangMasterJ]

Sign up at ThumperTalk.com. Their prices are awesome and I think members get a discount. I bought an exhaust for my pitbike off them. Got it in less than two weeks.

[scracha]

blame the nz wholesalers mate. Your average bikeshop doesn't import from abroad. In fact, a lot of them aren't able to import due to wholesaler restrictions.

[jim.cox]

Be careful spending more than $100 at a time, I stand to be corrected but it used to be $100, or your will end up paying Customs duty, plus GST when your gear arrives, get it all figured out first, this was the way the system protected the retailers, buy your gear in NZ or pay the price....Cheers..

I bought in a couple of helmets last year direct from www.bell.com

No problems with customs at all - not even any GST

I understand that "Safety Equipment" is exempt from import duties (and maybe GST also ?)

[The Stranger:Me]

I have bought a fair bit of gear from starcycle in the states. I have found them excellent to deal with and delivery is prompt. Even ordering stuff on the 23nd of December it was here before Jan.
Better than waiting 6 weeks for for a part or being told for example by a local distributor that you can't get a Yoshi TRC for your model bike, when starcycle have them in stock.

[crazybigal]

the gst amount has to be more than $50 before they sting you

Be careful spending more than $100 at a time, I stand to be corrected but it used to be $100, or your will end up paying Customs duty, plus GST when your gear arrives, get it all figured out first, this was the way the system protected the retailers, buy your gear in NZ or pay the price....Cheers..

[Katoomer]

I have used EBay and been happy with it .Bought a Leatt Brace from a San Diego Yamaha shop which cost me $NZ580 delivered as opposed to 900 -1000 here .Lots of US dealers export stuff all the time .Like trademe check their feedback to find a good trader.Some NZ trademe dealers are pretty competitive too.