Cost of importing an engine from the US

Cost of importing an engine from the US

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Discussion

chris_n

Original Poster:

1,232 posts

259 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
With the favourable exchange rate at the moment I have been browsing a few US web sites (e.g. www.enginefactory.com) with a view to maybe buying a more powerful engine for my kit car.

The prices look pretty attractive when you do the intial conversion, but what do I need to factor in for shipping, import duty, VAT etc?

Does it make a difference whether an engine is new or remanufactured?

Anyone done this and had good or bad experiences?

Chris



eliot

11,442 posts

255 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Ask in the Ultima forum, they do it all the time.
£800 i think.

you have to add shipping cost to purchase, then add duty, vat and handling fee. (not sure of exact order)

If you change the $ for a £ you wont be far wrong.

stevieturbo

17,271 posts

248 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Air mail, will cost around US$1000, then allow about 20% for all duties based on the DECLARED value of the item incl shipping.

So, you wouldnt have much too pay if the engine was an OLD USED SCRAP engine for rebuilding purposes with little value other than the shipping costs.

Not that Im suggesting anything by those comments.

>> Edited by stevieturbo on Tuesday 9th November 17:47

steve_D

13,749 posts

259 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
American Speed is the place where Ultima and their customers get their engines. As you can see their web site even has it's own page for Ultima engines.

They're very competetive and configure the engines to fit the Ultima engine bay (shallow/wide sump, low slung alternator, A/C compressor, short nose water pump etc.)

The price list is very comprehensive. You just run down it until your credit card bursts into flames. (You need to be forth or fifth from the bottom if you want a 0-100-0 record breaking engine).

When I ordered engine parts from elsewhere in the US with an invoice value of $3658 I was charged.
Airline handling £25
Customs duties £76.33
Customs VAT £404.66
Customs clearance £30
Delivery imports £18
Deferment Fee £10

Total £563.99

It would be worth contacting the Ultima factory as they buy so many engines that there may be cost breaks to be had re. the above fees.

Steve

>> Edited by steve_D on Tuesday 9th November 19:55

Tony427

2,873 posts

234 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Theres lots of guys on the Cobra Club site www.cobraclub.com that have imported engines from the USA both as new and as cut outs, so drop on by and do a search on the site and you'll find lots of posts regarding importation, duty and transport costs.

Theres also agents for some USA engine builders on the club, whilst one individual club member has just imported a container full of cut out engines suitable for rebuilding with various sizes and flavours, but all V8's.

I'm sure that you'll find someone to help you in our select band of V8 hooligans.......

Cheers,

Tony





stevieturbo

17,271 posts

248 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
This is how my engine/trans arrived.

The guy who got it for me, tied it to a pallet with wire, and wrapped in in cling film, and you see it after I collected it on the crappy trailer.

declared weight was around 350kgs, and it was even shipped with oil still in the sump and box, and even a little coolant still in the engine!!!
[IMG]http://images.fotopic.net/?id=8886922[/IMG]

As I said, freight costs alone were about US$1000, and it took about a week, from collection, til it arrived at the freight depot near the airport where I collected it.

Import duty is usually either 3.5% or 4.5% , then VAT at 17.% plus they make up a few charges to rip you of here and there.

chris_n

Original Poster:

1,232 posts

259 months

Wednesday 10th November 2004
quotequote all
Thanks guys, that gives me something to work with as I explore options. I will have a search around on the cobra club site too.

I can certainly see the sense in choosing to import a LOW VALUE SCRAP ENGINE for rebuilding to keep duty sensible.

Currently I keep drooling over the Small Block Ford Windsor on the Engine Factory web site that is bored and stroked out to 427ci. 518bhp plus the satisfaction of being able to say you've got a 427 under the bonnet of your Cobra rep! Bit pricey though.

Guy Humpage

11,329 posts

285 months

Wednesday 10th November 2004
quotequote all
Fellow PHer 'Eric the Brave' who hangs out in the Corvette forum has a discount shipping business for car parts from the US...

andys2

869 posts

259 months

Friday 12th November 2004
quotequote all
Is there anybody in the UK that does re-build yank engines?
I always wanted an Overfinch Range Rover but I could not afford one at the time, looking at the sort of prices the Engine Factory is charging I might be interested in building my own!!

Andy

stevieturbo

17,271 posts

248 months

Friday 12th November 2004
quotequote all
Have you considered some of the crate engines so many people offer in the US ??

They come in various specs, and ready to go, brand new.

Any reputable engine builder should be able to help.....though that in itself may be a problem, given some stories we read on forums. lol