OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[dyates69]

Hi,

Anyone importing trikes from the US at the moment? With a combination of the cheaper asking prices their and our stronger dollar it would have to make sense.

I recall asking a few years ago and even then the prices weren't too bad. So what's the go? I wouldn't mind an '86 250R and a 350X.

[HaggLE]

freight is the killer...

[ButcherBoy]

Haggle is right, the dollar is awesome against the US BUT the shipping is where they are making that back. I imported some stuff last year when our dollar was only getting 79c - 80c and the shipping was pretty reasonable. Now the same sort of thing this year almost works out the same. So be prepared to put your hand in your pocket for shipping if you're going to do it.
_________________
Yamaha '07 Raptor 700r SE
Honda 1989 TRX 250r
Honda 1985 "70" 125cc
Honda 2012 "70" 200x

[Roo11]

Totally agree there, shipping is rediculous, I enquired last month about a new set of plastics for my quad, total cost front,back,sides was 190$ shipping was 2090$, so go figure.
regards Roostrer

[ButcherBoy]

Yeah, basically what you're saving on the product you're paying in shipping. Don't get me wrong, in some cases it's still cheaper to import from the US, for example I ordered 20 or so Ohtsu tires from there and the shipping was as much as the tires BUT they're still cheaper doing that than buying from local suppliers (not bagging out any local supplies here, you do an awesome job *Thumbs Up*)
_________________
Yamaha '07 Raptor 700r SE
Honda 1989 TRX 250r
Honda 1985 "70" 125cc
Honda 2012 "70" 200x

[Mart 300r]

Yeh but im sure its not all that expensive when you can fill a container with stuff.Take a trip over there and bring a container home you would make money back easy with the way the dollar is and how easy the good model trikes go for over here,And how cheap they are to buy over there.I know alot easier said than done but with the right contacts and people and money backing.It would be a steal i reckon im sure some of the gurus have had it on there mind lately.
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1984 ATC 300R, 1986 TRX 500R,1984 ATC 200X, ATC 70 WITH CUSTOM LAYDOWN 250R ENGINE, 125CC CUSTOM THUMPSTER TRIKE

[ButcherBoy]

Mart 300r wrote:

Yeh but im sure its not all that expensive when you can fill a container with stuff.Take a trip over there and bring a container home you would make money back easy with the way the dollar is and how easy the good model trikes go for over here,And how cheap they are to buy over there.I know alot easier said than done but with the right contacts and people and money backing.It would be a steal i reckon im sure some of the gurus have had it on there mind lately.

You're absolutely right, you need a contact over there who will help you import cheaply, there are also web sites that do that, they have containers going all the time but they don't send them until they're full. Also if you're in no rush for it, sending stuff by boat cost next to nothing it just takes a few months to get here. The possibilites are endless you just need the know how and the help to do it.
_________________
Yamaha '07 Raptor 700r SE
Honda 1989 TRX 250r
Honda 1985 "70" 125cc
Honda 2012 "70" 200x

[Mart 300r]

Yeh exactly and have enough money to back you.I wonder how many full size trikes/quads you could fit or if theres a weight limit we know selling them isnt a prob great condition watercoolers are goin for next to nothing over there same as trx 250r's.And customs ive herd alot of stories from "profanity removed" not being clean enough people have lost out there aswell.I know they got me when i brought my 500 engine in they said it was dirty an they had to clean it when i finally got it it was still filthy and had oil still in the tranny.
_________________
1984 ATC 300R, 1986 TRX 500R,1984 ATC 200X, ATC 70 WITH CUSTOM LAYDOWN 250R ENGINE, 125CC CUSTOM THUMPSTER TRIKE

[dyates69]

Sea container sounds the go. I was supposed to be going to the US shortly on business but that fell through. I think you'd need to go there though to make sure things like cleaning etc were done properly.

Would be good to arrange combined cost on a container. Would be nice to get more good condition trikes back into Australia.

[kpracing12]

You do need a contact in the USA who understands the USA customs.

To import out of America you need
An original title deed
An original receipt
USA customs clearance
US customs have recently tightened up the rules on exports because of stolen goods leaving the USA. Not as easy as it used to be.

To import into Australia you need
An import approval from our government (takes ages to get and you can't get this till you have a receipt and pics of the trike / quad so you have to own it) This may cause you to have to pay for storage somewhere in the US till you get this approval.
You have to pay GST on the purchase price (a total rip off)
Freight cost could be $1000 to $2000 dollars. A motorcycle averages around $1000 to $1500
Cost of freight in the US is ridiculus sometimes costing as much as freight to Australia.
All this and you may see your trike in about 4 to 5 months
When Australian quarantine inspect your import and deem it dirty you will get charged for clening and storage.


I may have forgotten other things you have to do but these are the important ones

Definitely don't go to the USA and think you can buy a trike and find shipping agents while you are there.
Organise everything before you go and use agents that are already exporting / importing bikes / trikes / quads

DO NOT buy off photos as the trike is never as good as it looks.

[ButcherBoy]

kpracing12 wrote:

You do need a contact in the USA who understands the USA customs. To import out of America you need An original title deed An original receipt USA customs clearance US customs have recently tightened up the rules on exports because of stolen goods leaving the USA. Not as easy as it used to be. To import into Australia you need An import approval from our government (takes ages to get and you can't get this till you have a receipt and pics of the trike / quad so you have to own it) This may cause you to have to pay for storage somewhere in the US till you get this approval. You have to pay GST on the purchase price (a total rip off) Freight cost could be $1000 to $2000 dollars. A motorcycle averages around $1000 to $1500 Cost of freight in the US is ridiculus sometimes costing as much as freight to Australia. All this and you may see your trike in about 4 to 5 months When Australian quarantine inspect your import and deem it dirty you will get charged for clening and storage. I may have forgotten other things you have to do but these are the important ones Definitely don't go to the USA and think you can buy a trike and find shipping agents while you are there. Organise everything before you go and use agents that are already exporting / importing bikes / trikes / quads DO NOT buy off photos as the trike is never as good as it looks.

We've all learnt that photos look better every time in one way or another. I'd be very weary of buying it "sight unseen" Hell I made my 58 Holden look a million dollars for photos. WD40 and ATV Plastics make a good shine for photos....just sayin'
_________________
Yamaha '07 Raptor 700r SE
Honda 1989 TRX 250r
Honda 1985 "70" 125cc
Honda 2012 "70" 200x

[ForeverThreeWheels]

I'm keen to ship an oem 86 250r over here. I've had a little look into it. It's defientely not straight forward. Ddrracing.com in Qld will ship a bike over for you for $1500. Oldrodder knows a fair bit about what's involved. I just saw a mint 85r sell on eBay USA today for $1025. With $1500 for shipping that's still a great deal. I really hope someone looks further into this.
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[ForeverThreeWheels]

I think there's a few quad boys here that ship containers over from the states. Maybe they can help. I think prokiwi does.
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[Oldrodder]

Ben - I have a friend who imports cars and I asked him about bringing in a couple of trikes for me, he said this was possible but there is a lot more involved than what you think. If you are interested I can put you in touch with him and find out his Australian import agent. His depot is in Orange County C.A so you also have to factor in freight to get it to the depot, cleaning and crating or packing fees, GST etc. They would hold at the depot and ship when there was room available

[Stingray]

Roo11 wrote:

... shipping was 2090$

Ridiculous cost for shipping plastic.

Hello Aussie Trikers,
I'm wondering whats the deal if I send a friend a few used trike parts.

Will he have to pay a tax on the parts?

[Oldrodder]

You used to be able to get around this by sending things as gifts but the Government got onto this and started charging GST but that was if parts were being sent from a business.
You may get around this if sending from a private person to a private person but be prepared to pay the 10% on what they deem they are worth.

Last edited by Oldrodder on Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:07 pm; edited 1 time in total

[Oldrodder]

As for plastics I have found it cheaper to go through a ATV supplier here in Aus (Hardimans) as they are bringing them in a container load at a time and usually pass on the saving.
I used to bring in my own plastics before when we could send via see freight but with everything now being air it has gone through the roof.

I use a freight forwarder called MYUS and the cost of my shipping by using them has drastically decreased.

[ForeverThreeWheels]

When I bought my full set of NOS blue plastics from America it only cost $170 to have them sent over here. I'm not sure who shipping was through but it also took about 6 weeks.
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[Mart 300r]

Stingray wrote:

Roo11 wrote: ... shipping was 2090$ Ridiculous cost for shipping plastic. Hello Aussie Trikers, I'm wondering whats the deal if I send a friend a few used trike parts. Will he have to pay a tax on the parts?

Im sure he'll only pay it if value is over $1000.
_________________
1984 ATC 300R, 1986 TRX 500R,1984 ATC 200X, ATC 70 WITH CUSTOM LAYDOWN 250R ENGINE, 125CC CUSTOM THUMPSTER TRIKE

[Oldrodder]

Mart 300r wrote:

Stingray wrote: Roo11 wrote: ... shipping was 2090$ Ridiculous cost for shipping plastic. Hello Aussie Trikers, I'm wondering whats the deal if I send a friend a few used trike parts. Will he have to pay a tax on the parts? Im sure he'll only pay it if value is over $1000.

Sorry forgot that important bit of information.

GST paid on parts over $1000 including shipping costs.