Import freight costs

[slofox]

I looked to import an item from an overseas site and found that although the purchase cost was around $50.00 cheaper than in NZ, the freight cost was $US103.00....which kinda took away the advantage......
What experience have others had with this issue......?

[James Deuce]

I constantly amazed that people living in NZ can't get their head around the fact that we are a VERY low volume market and are located at the arsehole of nowhere in relation to the source of everything. Kiribas is closer to the world's main lines of distribution than we are.

I wouldn't have it any other way and am happy to pay more or go without.

Another thing to consider is that product sourced in the US is generally shipped via Fed-Ex or UPS and heavily insured thanks to the litigious nature of doing business in the US.

It quite simple - pay up or move out.

Oh yes, one other thing. Stuff is cheaper in Aus, but there at 5 times as many of them as there are of us, and they are on the doorstep of SE Asia. Wellington is roughly the same distance from Brisbane as Southampton is from Kiev.

I'm more amazed that bikes aren't twice the price in NZ as compared to the Aussie market. Instead they're slightly cheaper.

[BigG]

If your looking for Genuine parts then it's heaps cheeper importing from the US providing your not just after one cheep part, I have saved myself over $1500.00 importing parts

[Mully]

I'm more amazed that bikes aren't twice the price in NZ as compared to the Aussie market. Instead they're slightly cheaper.

Dont AU have import duty on motorcycles as well?? Which would explain why they are more

[slofox]

I constantly amazed that people living in NZ can't get their head around the fact that we are a VERY low volume market and are located at the arsehole of nowhere in relation to the source of everything. Kiribas is closer to the world's main lines of distribution than we are.

I wouldn't have it any other way and am happy to pay more or go without.

Another thing to consider is that product sourced in the US is generally shipped via Fed-Ex or UPS and heavily insured thanks to the litigious nature of doing business in the US.

It quite simple - pay up or move out.

Oh yes, one other thing. Stuff is cheaper in Aus, but there at 5 times as many of them as there are of us, and they are on the doorstep of SE Asia. Wellington is roughly the same distance from Brisbane as Southampton is from Kiev.

I'm more amazed that bikes aren't twice the price in NZ as compared to the Aussie market. Instead they're slightly cheaper.

Whilst I agree with what you say JD, this is not my point - I read often enough in these forums about importing this and that and how much money people save by so doing. But this is not my own experience, so I asked the question......I did not complain about the prices as far as I can see.....

[MarkH]

I looked to import an item from an overseas site and found that although the purchase cost was around $50.00 cheaper than in NZ, the freight cost was $US103.00....which kinda took away the advantage......
What experience have others had with this issue......?

I have imported from the USA to save time - NZ suppliers out till November, US suppliers have stock on hand and can have it to me in a week or so. I paid more for the privilege of getting the goods quicker on a couple of occasions.

I have imported from the US, UK & Aus to get products not available locally - what else can you do when you want something that no one stocks here?

I have also imported from the US to save money - I paid about $600 for a flash for my camera that was selling for $900-$1200 in NZ (depending on where you bought it from), that was US$300+freight+GST. (that's right, an item that cost US$300 was being sold here at NZ$900 to NZ$1200 ).

I have generally paid less than US$103 - a quick look through some invoices shows that anything from US$15 to US$50 is normal depending on value, size and weight of the item. The dearest freight recently was US$82.50 for the Givi windscreen for my scooter - that was a fairly big and somewhat heavy box.

Sometimes it is cheaper just to buy the item here, especially if it is only $50 dearer and the freight will cost you more than that. Also you should be aware that anything costing more than NZ$400 will often get stopped by customs and held until you cough up the GST that they bill you for. So importing something for US$600 + US$80 freight that works out to be NZ$100 cheaper than buying locally could be dearer once you pay over NZ$100 in GST. Never assume it s cheaper to import - check and compare prices! My jacket cost $800 at Motomail - from the US the best price I could find was US$700 - better to buy it here!

[James Deuce]

Whilst I agree with what you say JD, this is not my point - I read often enough in these forums about importing this and that and how much money people save by so doing. But this is not my own experience, so I asked the question......I did not complain about the prices as far as I can see.....

I wasn't suggesting you did.

[breakaway]

I looked to import an item from an overseas site and found that although the purchase cost was around $50.00 cheaper than in NZ, the freight cost was $US103.00....which kinda took away the advantage......
What experience have others had with this issue......?

What sort of item is it?

Usually I order with friends, so we share on shipping, or order several items that I want at once, so that balances out the super-rip shipping.

Sad truth is often they just rip you off. Lots of sellers on ebay state that they don't 'combine' shipping. Why? To rip you off. It's not uncommon to make more money on shipping than profit on the actual item.

[slofox]

What sort of item is it?

A vid camera actually - to affix to the bike....or helmet........

[breakaway]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camer...mZ220285629355

65.9724259 NZD Landed

Then you can attach your existing camera

Or - http://cgi.ebay.com/HELMET-CAMERA-CA...d=p3286.c0.m14 (276.444705 NZD Landed)

[slofox]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camer...mZ220285629355

65.9724259 NZD Landed

Then you can attach your existing camera

Or - http://cgi.ebay.com/HELMET-CAMERA-CA...d=p3286.c0.m14 (276.444705 NZD Landed)

Existing cam........is non existent - which is why I wanna get one....

Helmet kit....did the bird in the ad have a fight with a nailgun....???

[breakaway]

Is there a particular model you were after?

[TLDV8]

I looked to import an item from an overseas site and found that although the purchase cost was around $50.00 cheaper than in NZ, the freight cost was $US103.00....which kinda took away the advantage......
What experience have others had with this issue......?

Easy,you were most likely quoted via UPS.
Shipping via USPS is both reliable and cost effective.
I buy near everything oversea's,there is something wrong when you can get a set of brake pads cheaper and quicker from California than getting the same part from Auckland CBD to an outer suburb 25 kms away.

[alanzs]

Sometimes there is an advantage, other times not. www.shopbombaymotorsports.com. Best prices, excellent service, ships worldwide.

[alanzs]

Easy,you were most likely quoted via UPS.
Shipping via USPS is both reliable and cost effective.
I buy near everything oversea's,there is something wrong when you can get a set of brake pads cheaper and quicker from California than getting the same part from Auckland CBD to an outer suburb 25 kms away.

I agree with you 100%. Money doesn't grow on trees...