Anyone have experience ordering large amount of parts from the US? How was customs?
 

So looking at a fast intentions stage 1 turbo kit. But worried about how much fedex/ups is going to charge for bringing it over.

How have custom fees been for those who've ordered large parts? maybe like rims? or a built engine block?

I've asked FI what parts can be considered part of NAFTA that will help in custom fee reduction.

Just want to get an idea before I try contacting White Head performance or another shop that'll order on my behalf instead of going through the customs process myself.

Any help needed, thanks :)

Use the shipping FI provides. It would be the cheapest.

Yes, any parts made in the US - FI is an American company, are duty free.

Ask FI to fill out the NAFTA paperwork. They have done it many times and know what they are doing.

have you also considered boosted performance? I believe they released a new batch of TT's and they are a Canadian company.

if you go through an intermediary like whitehead or something else they will pass the charges on to you plus a premium... :(

unless it's UPS... and they charge you a 10% brokerage fee cause they are dinks.

Or AAM?

Thanks.

Gotta see how reliable it is, so lots to read through and Galeforce's build thread.

Since this car is a daily driver and not a garage queen ;p

adding FI is not ideal for a daily driver just FYI


you will run into problems at some point........IMO

I had a TT Z32 and even being factory built for FI you still run into problems it just comes with the boost.

wait till you get your first boost leak and it takes you a couple days to find it, the whole time your car will drive like sh!t, if you can get it running/smooth enough to drive it at all.....

I also plan on FI for my Z34 but it is not a DD so less to worry about.

As for bring parts across the boarder I have lots of experience, just make sure you have all your paperwork and be prepared. If you can throw a lot of paperwork at them it catches them off guard more often they get people coming in with nothing trying to work one over on them. Where as I go in with at least one receipt and any other paperwork to help speed it along.

That thread has a lot of helpful people who have self-installed it. Mind you regardless of what you do, you WILL need a tune to make sure it's in good order by a reputable tuner.

Don't forget a clutch kit as well since our stock clutch won't hold that power for long.

If you're a sport package you can probably get away in terms of stopping power.... but the base will not cut it.

As LMB said it's a lot of work and can be a PITA if something goes wrong.

I'm guessing this is if you have stuff shipped at a US P.O. address and bring the parts over yourself.

BP kit would save me a lot of hassle with that. I just hope he isn't stopping after 16 kits, since I'd rather wait til February/March of next year.

Gives me more time to think if I want to go FI route as well as DD like you said, those kind of things dwell on you.

if you're DD'ing it's not necessarily an issue... until winter.

Ship to clearance house and drive across the border to pick up order. Be your own custom clearance paper generator and save 10% and less shipping costs.

http://www.montanashipping.com/

That's what I'm doing and what I save in shipping costs and brokerage fees from UPS will more than pay for gas and motel room expenses

I order from z1motosports.com and the price at checkout include everything. No fee for anything :happydance:

You can decline that before the shipment arrives (several day in advance), act as your own broker and pick up the package yourself from customs. Not many know that.

I picked up my FI exhaust myself and saved $200. On small items it probably is not worth it, but on expensive stuff, it is.

interesting, does this mean you still need to go to the boarder when you say customs? I cannot think of any other customs offices other then at the boarders.....

We ship to Canada on a daily basis. There are ways to do it without requiring the customer to pay those insane custom fees and taxes. Even a $5k item can go across the border paying less than $100 in both taxes in duties.

I do not know how it works in TO, but in Calgary there is a Canada Customs office at the Calgary airport. So if the item comes in through Calgary's customs, I can easily pick it up myself. However if it arrives into the country at a different location, then you have to go to that location.

One time I had some parts arrive into Vancouver instead (UPS made that choice). Obviously it would cost me a lot more to go to Vancouver to get it, then the brokerage fee. I called UPS and told asked why they had the parts enter Canada in Vancouver instead instead of Calgary. They had no answer. So I talked to the supervisor and said that they took my choice of declining their brokerage service away from me and that I am not about to fly to Vancouver to pick it up. They made a one time exception and waved the fee, but the lesson for me was to call UPS as soon as I have a tracking number and set up all the details (port of entry and brokerage service) before the shipment enters Canada.

Also I believe that if the payment for shipping is COD, sometimes they lower the cost slightly if you pay before delivery.

I near always stay away from UPS, but as said if you self-declare then it isn't so bad. Even with a UPS account you need to phone them AS SOON AS YOU HAVE A TRACKING NUMBER or they will decide for you that they will act as your broker and charge insane fees, especially if it is a Ground shipment. Air isn't so bad as there are caps (the latter applies to FedEx as well for that matter). A few weeks back a shipment came UPS when I wasn't expecting it to and they wanted $80 brokerage along for a $120 item. I told them to send it back. Three days later the item shows up at my door with no brokerage fee owing. Go figure.

On those big purchases though it is the duty/taxes that you want to avoid. Make sure you get the NAFTA paperwork sent if the item is Made in USA. Some, but not all companies are up on this. Stillen is a bad one for that and even tries to charge you for THEM to broker for you. I crap you not. Have to email them and get a custom invoice made up for you, but of course they don't tell you this you need to be aware and ask yourself. Extra $40-50 in their pocket and out of yours.

I have had MUCH better experiences with FedEx for both business and personal shipments, but again I always opt for Air where possible. You'll pay the different in brokerage anyways and then some so often it works out cheaper to ship 3 day Air - plus you get it faster!

As mentioned, Whitehead or basically any other shop/dealer will mark up and pass on any fees to you.