Importing tyres

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Geektastic

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# 179073 25-Aug-2015 14:37

Has anyone ever imported tyres to NZ from the USA or Europe?

I got a quote for some Goodyear Duratrac tyres to fit a Land Rover and they are NZ$470 each.

The US price is equivalent to NZ$260.

I suspect that the same kind of price differentials exist for most tyres. If enough of us got together to import what we want in a container or part container do you think it would be worth it? Obviously you'd pay GST on landing but 15% on $260 still doesn't get to $470!

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Vocus

# 1373903 25-Aug-2015 14:41

I'd shop around locally first tbh, but I suspect unless you can pull together a big enough order, shipping is going to kill it.

Jase2985

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# 1373910 25-Aug-2015 14:52

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the add the cost of shipping, and the GST on that.

Why those specific tyres? im sure there are others that are suitable that you could get for cheaper

wellygary

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# 1373914 25-Aug-2015 14:54

Get another quote.

There is plenty of Margin in Rubber, ( thats why they don't advertise their prices on line) go somewhere else and ask for a better deal...

Jase2985

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# 1373916 25-Aug-2015 14:58

http://www.hyperdrive.co.nz/product/tyres/122/wrangler-duratrac/1145551/detail

There you go saved you 30 a tyre already.

Lias

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# 1373934 25-Aug-2015 15:23

Tyre's are one of those stupidly pricey things. I always just buy second hand.

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Inphinity

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# 1373938 25-Aug-2015 15:27

Pretty sure there are a ton of regulatory things around this sort of import, including ensuring and proving the tyres meet the necessary standards (the same model being sold elsewhere may not automatically avoid this requirement), biosecurity screening, if the total value is over NZD$1k you need to apply for a client code or use a customs broker. You might still save a bit of money, but how much time and hassle will it cost you?

Geektastic

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# 1374221 25-Aug-2015 21:25

Inphinity: Pretty sure there are a ton of regulatory things around this sort of import, including ensuring and proving the tyres meet the necessary standards (the same model being sold elsewhere may not automatically avoid this requirement), biosecurity screening, if the total value is over NZD$1k you need to apply for a client code or use a customs broker. You might still save a bit of money, but how much time and hassle will it cost you?

I already have a client code. In fact I've had one almost since moving here. Cannot even remember why I needed one but I do have one.

The tyres I mentioned are actually made in the USA but any mainstream tyre will meet the international standards to which NZ adheres - they don't make heaps of different versions to different rules when you are talking high quality mainstream makers.

A shipping container from the US is not much - $2000 or so. We could stick heaps of stuff in one container: does not have to be all tyres!

Geektastic

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# 1374223 25-Aug-2015 21:26

Jase2985: http://www.hyperdrive.co.nz/product/tyres/122/wrangler-duratrac/1145551/detail

There you go saved you 30 a tyre already.

Not by the time I have driven a Discovery V8 to Auckland to get them fitted...!!

Geektastic

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# 1374227 25-Aug-2015 21:29

ubergeeknz: I'd shop around locally first tbh, but I suspect unless you can pull together a big enough order, shipping is going to kill it.

Well that was what I was thinking: a GZ group buy and ship.

Some years ago, my late father put 4 new Continentals on his massive CL600 Merc in the UK and paid less than the cost of 2 in NZ. Ever since then I have been wondering quite why we are ripped off so much for something produced in vast quantities all over the world. Seeing that Duratracs are $200 a corner more in NZ for no reason is just another example.

Geektastic

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# 1374228 25-Aug-2015 21:31

Jase2985: the add the cost of shipping, and the GST on that.

Why those specific tyres? im sure there are others that are suitable that you could get for cheaper

They are more or less the replacement for the MT/R's that are fitted now and which seem impossible to get.

nakedmolerat

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# 1374239 25-Aug-2015 21:51

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Surely if you can afford a rover $470 a tyre is a pittance. My bridgestone tyres cost $360 each with discount.

Just spoke to my friend. That tyre should cost you around ~380 here in Auckland. Obviously you need to include GST which I assume you can claim back. That's roughly $50 which brings the price down to $330.

You always have reservation with NZ. Have you thought about moving elsewhere?

Geektastic

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# 1374269 25-Aug-2015 22:22

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nakedmolerat: Surely if you can afford a rover $470 a tyre is a pittance. My bridgestone tyres cost $360 each with discount.

Just spoke to my friend. That tyre should cost you around ~380 here in Auckland. Obviously you need to include GST which I assume you can claim back. That's roughly $50 which brings the price down to $330.

You always have reservation with NZ. Have you thought about moving elsewhere?

No, but I've thought about improving NZ. Refusing to accept second best is not a reason to move. Working to change things is a better idea. Are you happy to pay twice as much for your stuff just because you live in NZ?

Sidestep

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# 1374334 26-Aug-2015 07:13

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I import tires sometimes. I have a container on the water now with a few sets included - stuffed into nooks & crannies and on top of other things.

In some cases the saving's worth it. Particularly specialty or late model 4wd tires, rims, pressure sensors.

For regular car tires I'll just pop in to my local tire place.

Kiwi shipping out of L.A. offers a consolidation, partial container load option, will give you a quote (they ship tires & auto parts all the time) and are now part of Mainfreight - deliver to your local depot, cleared & ready for pickup.

Maybe give them a call. Get an exact delivery price for the set you want, do your currency conversions and see if it's worth doing.

Geektastic

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# 1374350 26-Aug-2015 07:52

Sidestep: I import tires sometimes. I have a container on the water now with a few sets included - stuffed into nooks & crannies and on top of other things. In some cases the saving's worth it. Particularly specialty or late model 4wd tires, rims, pressure sensors.

For regular car tires I'll just pop in to my local tire place.

Kiwi shipping out of L.A. offers a consolidation, partial container load option, will give you a quote (they ship tires & auto parts all the time) and are now part of Mainfreight - deliver to your local depot, cleared & ready for pickup.

Maybe give them a call. Get an exact delivery price for the set you want, do your currency conversions and see if it's worth doing.

Hey that's great - just the kind of thing I had in mind. Thanks!

One of my brothers lives in San Diego, so if we needed a local person to shop around for us I am sure he could be roped in. Anyone else game for it sometime in the next 6 months or so?

Coil

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# 1374361 26-Aug-2015 08:13

My friend imports Pilot Super Sports when its Summer in the US,

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