Importing advice please

[sebroberts83]

Hey Guys,

As the title suggests i'm looking into importing a bus and i'm looking for some advice on the whole thing. My main question really is what happens if things go bad and nothing arrives, all transactions would be PayPal so would they offer any protection?
Is there anything else that needs thinking about?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Also has anyone on here had any dealings with Steven Van Schoor aka Aircooled Treasures?

Cheers

Seb

 

[Lordain Volley]

Hey Guys,

As the title suggests i'm looking into importing a bus and i'm looking for some advice on the whole thing. My main question really is what happens if things go bad and nothing arrives, all transactions would be PayPal so would they offer any protection?
Is there anything else that needs thinking about?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Also has anyone on here had any dealings with Steven Van Schoor aka Aircooled Treasures?

Cheers

Seb

PM sent :msn4: "Loose lips sink ships"

 

[Graham L]

Yes dont pay for an imported bus on paypal unless its really cheap, better to ask them for their bank details and do a bank transfer thats traceable, if they are a reputable seller they will give you their details.

Has it got a title, if not walk away unless they are going to supply a title, very hard to get it registered in the UK without one and all sorts of HMRC issues that have been discussed on here before.

Suggest you do a search on here as theres lots of threads on importing buses,

PM sent :msn4: "Loose lips sink ships"

Confused why some people feel they have to keep everything secret, the forum is here to help everyone surely??

 

[StuF]

PM sent :msn4: "Loose lips sink ships"

Confused why some people feel they have to keep everything secret, the forum is here to help everyone surely??

:shock: Probably because there is some serious money to be made from importing cheap buses from the states and beyond - perhaps some peeps want to keep it as a "Dark Art" so they can maka as much profit as possible. :shock:

 

[sebroberts83]

Thanks Graham,

Worth knowing about PayPal,as it's a fair amount of money. Yeah has a title.
I kinda guessed it had been talked about alot before,but thought i'd ask anyhow.
I'll have a browse!

Probably because there is some serious money to be made from importing cheap buses from the states and beyond - perhaps some peeps want to keep it as a "Dark Art" so they can maka as much profit as possible.

Not in this for making money,just trying to find myself a good solid bus!

Seb

 

[Graham L]

PM sent :msn4: "Loose lips sink ships"

Confused why some people feel they have to keep everything secret, the forum is here to help everyone surely??

:shock: Probably because there is some serious money to be made from importing cheap buses from the states and beyond - perhaps some peeps want to keep it as a "Dark Art" so they can maka as much profit as possible. :shock:

Those days are long gone, most sellers in the states know exactly what they have and what its worth and the only cheap buses left are the rusty ones. There may be the odd bargain left but not that many.

Trust me there is no serious money to be made from importing cheap buses as otherwise I'd still be doing it on a larger scale!!

 

[Graham L]

Thanks Graham,

Worth knowing about PayPal,as it's a fair amount of money. Yeah has a title.
I kinda guessed it had been talked about alot before,but thought i'd ask anyhow.
I'll have a browse!

Seb

Presume you've already costed up shipping and are aware of the 5% VAT (BTI) thats applicable at the moment. Don't forget that if its not close to the port shipping across the US can add a lot of money to the price of a bus (you need to factor up to $1.50 a mile for transportation) and remember the US is a big place, for instance Sacremento to LA is 600 miles

 

[Lordain Volley]

Yes dont pay for an imported bus on paypal unless its really cheap, better to ask them for their bank details and do a bank transfer thats traceable, if they are a reputable seller they will give you their details.

Has it got a title, if not walk away unless they are going to supply a title, very hard to get it registered in the UK without one and all sorts of HMRC issues that have been discussed on here before.

Suggest you do a search on here as theres lots of threads on importing buses,

PM sent :msn4: "Loose lips sink ships"

Confused why some people feel they have to keep everything secret, the forum is here to help everyone surely??

A swipe at me I'd have used the word "private" not "secret". I don't work for MI5, not yet anyway :msn4:If you were in a public bar and wanted offer some advice, would you always shout loud so everyone could hear? Or might you quietly say a few words in that person's ear? It's not that you wish to prevent others from hearing your helpful advice, but rather you don't want others to miss-interpret certain things said. "What have you got to hide" I hear you cry! :shock: Well the thing is, we all have something to hide...and my subtle take on how to do things may put certain noses out of joint so to speak! I recall you admonished my very first post for saying things in a public forum, which could be interpreted in an "anorexic" way by HM customs! Aaaaaaa I rest my case your honour.

 

[sebroberts83]

Presume you've already costed up shipping and are aware of the 5% VAT (BTI) thats applicable at the moment. Don't forget that if its not close to the port shipping across the US can add a lot of money to the price of a bus (you need to factor up to $1.50 a mile for transportation) and remember the US is a big place, for instance Sacremento to LA is 600 miles

Yeah, been given a price of $2000 to Southampton. The 5% VAT (BTI) you mention, wasn't sure of that but i assumed there is some kind of import duty tax on this side?
Think the Bus in question may have sold anyhow, to be honest it's not a bargain bus by any means but looking for something solid and O.G, like it's been said the bargains are few and far between but if i can save 1-2k i'd be happy.

Are you still importing Graham, noticed the website isn't available?

Seb

P.s since when did this place get so bitchy! Came on here to get some honest advice and really gratefull for those that have given theirs, but Christ!!thought this was a site for like minded peeps!

 

[Graham L]

Hi Seb

Wasn't trying to disrupt your thread sorry, its not a black art but there is a correct way of doing things despite what some people will tell you.

BTI is the import duty chargeable at the moment at 5%, as long as the bus is not for daily commuting and in 'original' condition you can apply for this rather than paying the full 20%. I get Kingstown Shipping to do my applications for me, they charge but they know the process and its one less thing to worry about.

$2000 is a lot depending on what it includes and Southampton is not a regular port from the US. Its approx $1595 shipping from LA to Felixstowe or Chatham, less from Houston in Texas. Fees in this country add up to approx £400 + your duty (flat £50) and VAT @ 5% so hope that makes it clearer. Don't forget transport costs at this end either, using someone like BC Recovery to collect will cost you up to £200 depending where its landing.

You are best speaking to Kingstown regarding the shipping as for a one off they will handle the whole thing or I can give you contact details for some shippers direct in the US but they will only handle the actual shipping not the landing and fees in this country.

Yes still importing buses but these days to order only rather than holding lots of stock so if theres something specific you are looking for then let me know and I can contact my regular suppliers.

Hope thats OK and once again sorry for disrupting your thread

 

[61 stu]

Im in the process of importing something at the moment for the first time and it is nerve racking :?

Graham knows what he's talking about and Kingstown are really helpful and can answer all your questions as a first time importer, one thing i would say is make sure you get a bill of sale too, either sent with the title or direct to your home address, as this will be needed too.

Also dont expect it to be a quick process either, i paid for my import at the beginning of January and its only just landed at Folkestone, and this was bought from a dealer in the US. Dont let that put you off though as mine was im sure an extreme situation :lol:

good luck mate

 

[Supertramp]

I agree with using Kingstown, they were excellent with us and we're first timers. All in all it cost around £2000 including taxes. They filled in the BTI form for us and it got approved, can't rate them highly enough.

 

[sebroberts83]

Gradually getting my head round it all now,phoned Kingstown earlier and have to say the girl I spoke to was brilliant,really helpfull!!
Unfortunately the bus I've been after has sold so start looking again!
Thanks guys for all the info,and best of luck to anyone going through the process.

Seb

 

[61 stu]

all the stress and worry is worth it when you get to the point of waiting for it to be delivered

 

[damo]

Hi Seb

Just thought I'd let you know that I imported a van from Tenerife earlier this year, never having importing a vehicle before, although a bit daunting to start with the HMRC were always very helpful when I spoke to them.

The vendor arranged shipping from his end, so that was all covered, but I had to pay an extra £600 I think to an agent at Felixstowe to arrange the "de-van" as they called it. Even though it was the only object in a container, you are not allowed to empty a container on the port side, so they charge you to transfer the container to their warehouse, emptying the container, and then returning container to the shipping company. A lot of money for nothing it seemed to me, but there is no alternative.

Managed to arrange the HMRC paperwork so that only 5% VAT payable, and no duty as was coming in from an EU country. For 5% VAT needed to state that it was over 30 years old, in original condition, and can be used for show or part of a collection.

Good luck with your search.

Damian

 

[marco]

I can vouch for B.C. Recovery doing an excellent job with transporting my van from Weymouth to the Lake District, a lot cheaper than I could have done it, and saved my a 600+ mile round trip. Good luck with your search, mine came from South Africa, and while not a bargain at least it's 90% solid, (mechanically a bit knackered).

 

[sebroberts83]

Cheers for all the replies, just gotta find myself a nice 99% O.G bus with O.G paint,nice patina, rust free and solid engine. Shouldn't be too hard, should it! :shock: