Bringing Car Parts back from USA as Hand Luggage ?
Discussion
I wish to buy some performance parts from the USA and I am looking at a Brembo brake kit (front and rear) and a couple of strut braces and some other small parts.
Now I fly to the USA quite often so could I actually bring these back as luggage and save on shipping and tax ?
What if I removed the packaging then would I be able to avoid the dreaded import tax and claim a lower value ?
I am looking to spend around $7000 so if I had to pay it then how do customs work out value and what to pay ?
Now I fly to the USA quite often so could I actually bring these back as luggage and save on shipping and tax ?
What if I removed the packaging then would I be able to avoid the dreaded import tax and claim a lower value ?
I am looking to spend around $7000 so if I had to pay it then how do customs work out value and what to pay ?
My mate took an old mountain bike (wrapped in carboard) out there and threw it in a dumpster on arrival. When he came back a week later with $3000 worth of bike they assumed it was the same one.
You may be able to do something like this?
"I am taking this to be chromed"
You may be able to do something like this?
"I am taking this to be chromed"
Edited by Hedders on Friday 11th December 20:46
Why would anybody lug a shload of auto parts to the US - and then lug them back again?
It's going to be pretty obvious that the parts are new, even if you take them out of any original packaging. The onus would be on you to prove you did not purchase them in the US. They are going to want to see a bill of sale to establish a value less than the one they determine (which could be very high).
You could 'poker-face' it and march through 'Nothing to Declare', with a nonchelent swagger to accompany your huge carton of sparkly new car parts - but if they tug you, you're paying one way or the other.
It's going to be pretty obvious that the parts are new, even if you take them out of any original packaging. The onus would be on you to prove you did not purchase them in the US. They are going to want to see a bill of sale to establish a value less than the one they determine (which could be very high).
You could 'poker-face' it and march through 'Nothing to Declare', with a nonchelent swagger to accompany your huge carton of sparkly new car parts - but if they tug you, you're paying one way or the other.
I brought an exhaust back from the US (axle back section) with no problems. The case was locked when we checked it in and it didn't look like it had been opened by security. I was pretty surprised really.
It was kind of noisy, clunking through customs, so I gave the case to my wife and walked 20ft behind her
It was kind of noisy, clunking through customs, so I gave the case to my wife and walked 20ft behind her
Quite often bring parts back. The biggest being American Train Horns, a 450 compressor and assoaited parts split between two suit cases, one bag was searched with no problems apart from a broken padlock. Otherwise its mostly BMW parts which have never been searched.
From experiance i'd say give it a go.
From experiance i'd say give it a go.
benny.c said:
I brought an exhaust back from the US (axle back section) with no problems. The case was locked when we checked it in and it didn't look like it had been opened by security. I was pretty surprised really.
It was kind of noisy, clunking through customs, so I gave the case to my wife and walked 20ft behind her
Good job she wasn't wearing a hajib otherweise it may have aroused the wrong sort of suspicion.It was kind of noisy, clunking through customs, so I gave the case to my wife and walked 20ft behind her
I think the 2 of us could split the brake kit but what about strut braces as they are long and I dont think they will fit in the suit case.
Would it be better to buy those parts (Dinan BMW stuff) and then ship them back to my house in boxes well packed to my address but with a note from 'uncle Ray' saying happy birthday and no official receipt if you get my drift ?
Would it be better to buy those parts (Dinan BMW stuff) and then ship them back to my house in boxes well packed to my address but with a note from 'uncle Ray' saying happy birthday and no official receipt if you get my drift ?
It's probably worth posting this query in the American car section of PH, as there are probably loads of guys there that have faced the same dilemma.
However, ultimately you know will be taking a risk if you try and get through customs.
If you get a tug, then be prepared to pay the duty (~27%), so it will be better to have the invoices if you do.
Customs have more power than you will ever believe, so if you cannot prove the value of the (smuggled?) goods, then they (HMRC) will place a value on them (what THEY think the value is) which could be more than you acyually paid. You no payee, they keepee.... You $7k out of pocket
Just my 2p...
It's probably worth posting this query in the American car section of PH, as there are probably loads of guys there that have faced the same dilemma.
However, ultimately you know will be taking a risk if you try and get through customs.
If you get a tug, then be prepared to pay the duty (~27%), so it will be better to have the invoices if you do.
Customs have more power than you will ever believe, so if you cannot prove the value of the (smuggled?) goods, then they (HMRC) will place a value on them (what THEY think the value is) which could be more than you acyually paid. You no payee, they keepee.... You $7k out of pocket
Just my 2p...
Don't cha' know the country is on it's knees?
If you try to do the Scottish O.E.C. out of his money you can expect the book to be thrown at you. I don't have the balls to walk in the green channel ........... I have ''GUILTY'' written all over my face!
I have done something similar, fessed up to the Customs Officer. Got asked to pay some tax, much less than it should've been and no V.A.T. Result! Plus I saved on the carriage costs.
You never know, he may be a car enthusiast and bend the rules well and truly in your favour rewarding your honesty. He won't be your mate though if you take the piss and get discovered. Yeah I know, I need to grow a pair!
If you try to do the Scottish O.E.C. out of his money you can expect the book to be thrown at you. I don't have the balls to walk in the green channel ........... I have ''GUILTY'' written all over my face!
I have done something similar, fessed up to the Customs Officer. Got asked to pay some tax, much less than it should've been and no V.A.T. Result! Plus I saved on the carriage costs.
You never know, he may be a car enthusiast and bend the rules well and truly in your favour rewarding your honesty. He won't be your mate though if you take the piss and get discovered. Yeah I know, I need to grow a pair!
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff