Importing Parts - Kinda!
Discussion
This might seem like a strange question but has anyone taken in spare parts for a car in their luggage? What are the implications if/when stopped?
I'm sure you're all laughing at the thought of someone trying to walk through security with a full exhaust system or front bumper in their luggage but I'm thinking more like brake pads, discs, that kind of thing. Cost to buy here is not far off double that in the UK (1200quid versus 2000 quid)! So figured when I'm home at xmas, why not just pop a set in my luggage?!
I'm sure you're all laughing at the thought of someone trying to walk through security with a full exhaust system or front bumper in their luggage but I'm thinking more like brake pads, discs, that kind of thing. Cost to buy here is not far off double that in the UK (1200quid versus 2000 quid)! So figured when I'm home at xmas, why not just pop a set in my luggage?!
Ask Phil aka Shirt what he brought back with him from the UK.
I know somebody who has brought the following items as hand luggage into Dubai:
1) car windscreen
2) type 9 gearbox
3) set of wheels and tyres
the fact that this person is a pilot for Emirates may help explain how he got away with it.
I know somebody who has brought the following items as hand luggage into Dubai:
1) car windscreen
2) type 9 gearbox
3) set of wheels and tyres
the fact that this person is a pilot for Emirates may help explain how he got away with it.
I have brought in instrument clusters, MAF's, ECU's etc with out issues, both in hand luggage and hold luggage.
Normally however I have my car parts delivered from USA rather than purchased locally, takes a couple of weeks and prices tend to be cheaper than Europe.
I think the only thing I paid import duty on was a steering rack.
Normally however I have my car parts delivered from USA rather than purchased locally, takes a couple of weeks and prices tend to be cheaper than Europe.
I think the only thing I paid import duty on was a steering rack.
Edited by dictys on Monday 1st October 05:49
i've taken tools and parts both ways including ecu, sensors, throttle bodies, inlet manifold, discs and pads, a race battery, injectors, spark plugs, coil pack, polybushes, filters etc. etc. you may get a pull at the airport for them to scan your luggage but there are ways to avoid this 
and in any case i have never had any problems and no duties to pay. in fact the main issue you'll have is weight, make sure you fly with a decent luggage allowance. i've also taken far heavier/complex things through for work with only cursory checks. i did, however, recently learn you can't take tools as cabin baggage and radio gear requires a bit of dodging to get in.
like dictys, i also fly in parts from the US for the jeep and UK for the clubby. both have advantages - US is generally cheaper but you don't pay VAT when buying from the UK which more than offsets the shipping cost. shop & ship is another option when buying from the states but seems expensive IME, and you may also incur import duty at 5%.
even if you do have a protracted discussion with customs [describing what it is/does is hard work, so just say it's for a race car and they smile and let you on your way] it is worthwhile. much prefer being able to buy what i want rather than what is available at inflated prices.
PS - if it is an odd car you just won't find spares locally [the clubby uses a ford sierra donor for all but the engine, try finding that on al tayyer's system!] so stock up on service items, a set of wheel bearings, CV boots, pads, bushes etc.
PPS - i highly recommend using rallynuts for race/trackday items. prices are awesome compared to demon tweeks and they will source things if they carry the range but not the particular product you want. i am waiting for my 3rd pack of goodies from them this week
sorry for long post.
and in any case i have never had any problems and no duties to pay. in fact the main issue you'll have is weight, make sure you fly with a decent luggage allowance. i've also taken far heavier/complex things through for work with only cursory checks. i did, however, recently learn you can't take tools as cabin baggage and radio gear requires a bit of dodging to get in.like dictys, i also fly in parts from the US for the jeep and UK for the clubby. both have advantages - US is generally cheaper but you don't pay VAT when buying from the UK which more than offsets the shipping cost. shop & ship is another option when buying from the states but seems expensive IME, and you may also incur import duty at 5%.
even if you do have a protracted discussion with customs [describing what it is/does is hard work, so just say it's for a race car and they smile and let you on your way] it is worthwhile. much prefer being able to buy what i want rather than what is available at inflated prices.
PS - if it is an odd car you just won't find spares locally [the clubby uses a ford sierra donor for all but the engine, try finding that on al tayyer's system!] so stock up on service items, a set of wheel bearings, CV boots, pads, bushes etc.
PPS - i highly recommend using rallynuts for race/trackday items. prices are awesome compared to demon tweeks and they will source things if they carry the range but not the particular product you want. i am waiting for my 3rd pack of goodies from them this week
sorry for long post.
Edited by shirt on Monday 1st October 06:17
Cheers guys. And no apologies needed for the long post the info is just what I was after! 
I'm more just heading off possible future requirements, because while labour charges over here are a bargain (for obvious reasons), the parts prices seem way overinflated! Good to know that they ain't going to fling you in jail for trying to take brake pads in your handluggage!
Can just imagine the wife's face when I tell her that she has to take half as much clothes on a visit home as I'm taking a set of discs and pads back with me!!
I'm more just heading off possible future requirements, because while labour charges over here are a bargain (for obvious reasons), the parts prices seem way overinflated! Good to know that they ain't going to fling you in jail for trying to take brake pads in your handluggage!
Can just imagine the wife's face when I tell her that she has to take half as much clothes on a visit home as I'm taking a set of discs and pads back with me!!
check the weight of the discs, my sierra ones were 18kg of a 30kg allowance, then the battery was 5kg on top! my hand luggage was a little heavier than the 8kg allowance though
its also worthwhile to have a look around baniyas square / deira market. for bearings, rod ends, oil seals etc. it is great value. jeep charged my 180dhs for an oil seal which is $4 in the US!
its also worthwhile to have a look around baniyas square / deira market. for bearings, rod ends, oil seals etc. it is great value. jeep charged my 180dhs for an oil seal which is $4 in the US!
I'm another who brings everything in from abroad.
Whilst on a recent trip to the US I picked up loads of bits for my Corvette, the largest of which was a complete centre console.
This flew back to the UK with me, spent a week there before flying back here.... no issues at all.
I have only been stopped by Dubai customs once when carrying parts (a complete set of pads for a VXR8 and replacement speakers for my Grand Cherokee) the customs chaps paid no attention to any of it at all.
Whilst on a recent trip to the US I picked up loads of bits for my Corvette, the largest of which was a complete centre console.
This flew back to the UK with me, spent a week there before flying back here.... no issues at all.
I have only been stopped by Dubai customs once when carrying parts (a complete set of pads for a VXR8 and replacement speakers for my Grand Cherokee) the customs chaps paid no attention to any of it at all.
Haha love the idea of someone sitting scanning bags and seeing a turbo appear! "WTF is that"!!
Dictys I'm intrigued by the warehouse comment. How do you find out where the warehouses are? I presume if I just rock up to the Audi spare parts department and say "hi, where's your warehouse so I can cut you out" they are going to look at me like I have 24 arms!
Dictys I'm intrigued by the warehouse comment. How do you find out where the warehouses are? I presume if I just rock up to the Audi spare parts department and say "hi, where's your warehouse so I can cut you out" they are going to look at me like I have 24 arms!
I think it was a tow truck driver who told me where to go to get bits for my Nissan 4x4, it took a little finding but it was warehouse about four doors down from the Nissan service center near the used car center off the Hatta Road. The parts I have are clearly marked trade price(which I pay) and retail price. It is worrying that they now know me by name now, I think I am the only european who visits.
There are some good shops around that area if you you are looking for generic parts such as relays etc. Just be prepared for the odd look.
I purchased some relays for the Porsche from around there for AED 9 each compared to the porsche part of AED 120 each.
Hydromar Blue and other sealant / gaskets plus t-bolt hose clips I get from the marine shops in the Jadaf ship yard.
Dynomat, auto fuses, bulbs etc from Autocenter near the clock tower.
Ralliart / Mitsubisi here supplied all my silicon hoses etc direct from Samco.
Beta tools and other specialist car tools I get from Sedana tools near Yellow Hat at Nadd Al Hamar.
Over the last three years I have become an expert at finding stuff for my cars out here. I think the most difficult item was mini bolt extractors for broken studs in the cylinder head and finding a soda blaster to do my intake pieces.
There are some good shops around that area if you you are looking for generic parts such as relays etc. Just be prepared for the odd look.
I purchased some relays for the Porsche from around there for AED 9 each compared to the porsche part of AED 120 each.
Hydromar Blue and other sealant / gaskets plus t-bolt hose clips I get from the marine shops in the Jadaf ship yard.
Dynomat, auto fuses, bulbs etc from Autocenter near the clock tower.
Ralliart / Mitsubisi here supplied all my silicon hoses etc direct from Samco.
Beta tools and other specialist car tools I get from Sedana tools near Yellow Hat at Nadd Al Hamar.
Over the last three years I have become an expert at finding stuff for my cars out here. I think the most difficult item was mini bolt extractors for broken studs in the cylinder head and finding a soda blaster to do my intake pieces.
any idea where i can have an exhaust manifold ceramic coated?
the automarket between baniyas square and the clock tower is well worth any home mechanic's time.
the main problem with hard to find parts here is just that - finding them. i need a set of bilstein off road racing shocks and even though i've called every billie dealer and importer in the uae they can't quote me a lead time and price that beats that which i can get in 5 mins googling / ordering from the USA.
the automarket between baniyas square and the clock tower is well worth any home mechanic's time.
the main problem with hard to find parts here is just that - finding them. i need a set of bilstein off road racing shocks and even though i've called every billie dealer and importer in the uae they can't quote me a lead time and price that beats that which i can get in 5 mins googling / ordering from the USA.
i've asked around and yes it seems none does it locally. there is cerakote but it is expensive [$70 afor 500ml + $70 hazmat shipping fee + shipping cost].
http://www.cerakotehightemp.com/
might have to wait til xmas and take the manifold home.
http://www.cerakotehightemp.com/
might have to wait til xmas and take the manifold home.
note to OP:
if there's choice of shipping, go with DHL. my package from rallynuts was shipped DHL - about 500mm cubed and heavy. shipping was £51 and customs fees/handling was AED173.
TNT from rally design was a much smaller package and 1/5 the value. shipping was £81 and customs/handling was AED220.
if there's choice of shipping, go with DHL. my package from rallynuts was shipped DHL - about 500mm cubed and heavy. shipping was £51 and customs fees/handling was AED173.
TNT from rally design was a much smaller package and 1/5 the value. shipping was £81 and customs/handling was AED220.
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