Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 21Apr 26, 2011 10:22 pm awesome savings im sure it will all go perfectly was going to say swimmingly but thought hmmmm not a good word lol stay safe happy building Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 22Apr 26, 2011 11:26 pm There is a great sense of satisfaction when it arrives Rob! I wished I had shipped in bulk like you as I keep finding bits and bobs I want!!!! i have a whole stack of Laura Ashley fabric that my girlfriend is shipping for me and I want some new Le creuset cookware as it is bags cheaper there!!!!! My bath arrived and Paul, my brickie site manager etc had such a hard time with it ... it was soooo bloody heavy!!!!!! Looking forward to following progress. We went to Freo to check out the boat it arrived on. Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 23Apr 27, 2011 10:16 am Quote: We went to Freo to check out the boat it arrived on. That is a classic. The things we do for our "babies" https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=44762 My Owner builder journey extending a 1930's Bungalow Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 25Jan 09, 2012 8:00 pm docker rob, thanks for starting this thread. I had a brief read on the whirlpool forum - but it's a big thread. (Un)fortuntaely we've already bought most of our miele appliances. But we will be looking at importing a miele steamer and coffee machine. We just spent this past weekend looking for furniture, we went to Melbourne to look there as the showrooms in Adelaide are a joke. Anyway, we spotted a nice leather Natuzzi lounge set up for approx $7k, Adelaide's price for the same package was $2100 more expensive - their loss. After reading your thread I have contacted your Natuzzi supplier in the UK and am eagerly awaiting their price. Re: Importing products for Owner building and how far to go? 26Jan 15, 2012 11:26 pm docker_rob Main thing is find Retailers that Do not include the VAT upfront. You can claim it back later but its a bit more paperwork. Some you might have no choice than to pay VAt an dlcaim it back. For me all but 1 supplier is Ok not to charge me the VAT as long as I supply the necessary export documentation. Hi Docker_Rob, Can you please elaborate a little further on the method used to claim back the VAT? Thanks, Mimmo Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 27Jan 16, 2012 9:10 am amgsl55 Can you please elaborate a little further on the method used to claim back the VAT? Thanks, Mimmo Hi Mimmo, Without rehashing everything in the linked thread (above) from memory once you buy goods you have 3 months to export and still claim a VAT refund. Once shipped out of the EU you will get a document from your shipping agent proving such. You then provide that documentation to the retailer and they will refund the VAT to you. As with any transaction you need to confirm with the retailer first they will allow this as not everyone is set up to sell VAT free goods. (Though it is very common in Europe and all I spoke to where) . If interested in importing take a read of the other thread as although it is now very long there is a lot of useful information on the process and what to do. - Good luck https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=44762 My Owner builder journey extending a 1930's Bungalow Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 28Mar 03, 2012 7:30 pm Hey Rob I read your exploits last year and was impressed with your determination. I am in the midst of doing a renovation, and while I have already bought my Miele appliaces, I have several sanitary items currently in transit from Germany. I noticed you listed that you bought tapware. I was wondering if you had any trouble installing this. I have read several posts about the incompatibility of tapware with Australia - and so am interested to know whether you installed it your self, or whether you had any issue with BSP vs Australian requirements Cheers JG Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 29Mar 03, 2012 7:44 pm gooroo Hey Rob I noticed you listed that you bought tapware. I was wondering if you had any trouble installing this. I have read several posts about the incompatibility of tapware with Australia - and so am interested to know whether you installed it your self, or whether you had any issue with BSP vs Australian requirements Cheers JG Hi - I haven't installed my taps etc yet as still in the throes of building but I am 100% sure they will be fine. The UK uses BSP threads (British Standard Pipe) Which is the same as we use here in Australia. The Good Ol' US of A uses NPT (National Pipe Thread) just to be different and "because they can" Whilst NTP is similiar to BSP they will NOT fit together properly. So bottom line dont import tapware from the USA. As long as you have BSP fittings you will be fine. We are supposed to also meet WELS ratings however my understanding is it does not apply for private imports, however even so it's not a hard ting to put in a plastic flow limiter to save water The only other thing to consider is if you are looking at pressure switch type tapware make sure it can handle the same water pressure as we have here- eg Kitchen mixer taps with a rinse "push button". The UK uses much lower water pressure than us so theirs are configured with a lower rated pressure switch. Not sure about Germany specs but either way I am sure you could either order (or replace) the switch to a higher pressure one. Normal spindle taps with Ceramic washers it doesnt matter just pressure switches. Hope that helps and and glad the import thing has worked for you also. https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=44762 My Owner builder journey extending a 1930's Bungalow Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 30Mar 05, 2012 12:06 am Hey Rob Thanks for your quick response. I hope all goes well with your fitout. I didn't do it as well as you as I had already bought all my Miele before evening thinking about importing. I don't even want to think about how much I wasted after reading of your exploits. But I have saved a lot on V&B by going through German suppliers. Of course it has been tricky at times with the language - but I dusted off my old high school German and that seemed to help - and of course Google Translate is invaluable. But to give you an idea, a porcelain V&B sink only costs 50 Euro to ship to Australia - and then I add several pieces of tapware etc which doesn't add to the shipping cost. Thanks for the information regarding the plumbing. I certainly will look into the pressure switch - I am about to put in an order for a kitchen sink tap with a rinse arm - and hadn't thought of that. Do you know what pressure we have here? I had gathered the Americans had gone it alone with their pipe measurements, but then I also read an article that Australia and New Zealand did a "soft metrification" back in the 70s and didn't really do it properly. And it was subsequent to this that the UK went to the same standard as Europe. So it is a little confusing. I contacted the WELS people a few months ago and they confirmed exactly what you said - and that is the WELS rating is required if you are importing to sell - not for home import and use. The thing that I am more concerned about is the Watermark certification which says (I think) that accredited plumbers must make sure that all items they install must have the watermark certification. Has your plumber indicated that this will be a problem? I have already received two mixer taps but they have 10mm chrome plated copper pipe for their mains inlet (one hot and one cold). I have looked everywhere to find a 10mm compression fixture to see if I can step them up to 15mm which looks like the normal Australian outlet from the wall - but haven't seen anything at Bunnings. I am hoping a plumber will be able to do something with them. The other thing I received is from Hansa - it is a 4 way pipe mounting (one hot and one cold IN, and one out to the shower head and one out to either a bath or hand shower). Each of the 4 pipes are 1/2 BSP. The idea is that the Hansa and KWC range of mixers just snap in. SO it means that in the future you can change out your fittings simply by snapping them out of this fitting. There is no disruption to the tiles etc. It seems like a cool idea - but I haven't seen it on the Australian market anywhere. The Europeans certainly have a lot of interesting things for home renovations. Again, thanks for your pointers. Cheers JG Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 31Mar 05, 2012 9:40 am gooroo Hey Rob The thing that I am more concerned about is the Watermark certification which says (I think) that accredited plumbers must make sure that all items they install must have the watermark certification. Has your plumber indicated that this will be a problem? JG I dont have an issue with my plumber here but it is something you may come across. Watermark is a certification run by a company called SAI Global. Once something is approved it goes in a database which you can access online. In my case all my items are in that database, but they don't have the sticker on them. So if you had a pedantic plumber he might say no sticker no install. However I suspect unless a plumber was told it didn't have the Watermark sticker or logo he wouldn't even notice I have suggested to others if that was the case you either - - Find a new plumber - "Self install" the final taps etc - or go to Bunnings and "borrow" some watermark stickers https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=44762 My Owner builder journey extending a 1930's Bungalow Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 32Sep 18, 2012 8:32 pm Can anyone tell me if this would be compatible with Australian plumbing? A rain showerhead - http://www.signaturehardware.com/product18553 and Ceiling Mount Shower Arm with Escutcheon. $US85 all up .. Product Details • Made of solid brass. • Shown in Brushed Nickel finish. • Includes matching flange. • 1/2" IPS connections. • Choose from 6" or 12" length. Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 33Sep 18, 2012 9:03 pm No it wont fit The USA uses a different thread pattern to us (We use BSP (British Standard Pipe) If you want to import Tapware look to the UK as they use the same standard threads as us so it will all bolt together https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=44762 My Owner builder journey extending a 1930's Bungalow Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 35Sep 19, 2012 9:27 pm lenarufus Damn!! Thanks ... I'll look further ... prices here seem to be really high Yes they are. If you take a look at the Link I posted above when this thread started that "Blog" has all the info on importing Taps, Toilets, Ovens, Furniture etc from Europe and how much you can save. Contains info on things to look out for (like Thread fittings from the USA and how to go about it all to get it landed here safe and sound. It's long but if serious about it well worth your time to read as you can save tens of thousands of dollars particularly if you are looking at "Name Brand" items, as for some reason as soon as they land on Australian shores the price doubles. Cheers and Good luck https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=44762 My Owner builder journey extending a 1930's Bungalow Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 36Oct 05, 2012 9:10 am Thanks Rob for all the info you have posted here and on WP, has been the inspiration for me to go the same path & import our kitchen goods - only doing a pallets worth (Oven, Steamer, DW, Induction Hob, Wine fridge, Range Hood) but still saving over $10k. Goods are being palletised ready for transport this week. A question: What did you have to provide to Customs to get your refrigeration gas cleared? Was the Owners manual enough proof that the gas isn't a nasty? P.S. Love reading "Modernising an Old Girl" - always entertaining & informative - you are doing an awesome job with that reno. Re: Importing products for our OB project - Now in Transit 37Oct 05, 2012 7:38 pm DingoD64 Thanks Rob for all the info you have posted here and on WP, has been the inspiration for me to go the same path & import our kitchen goods - only doing a pallets worth (Oven, Steamer, DW, Induction Hob, Wine fridge, Range Hood) but still saving over $10k. Goods are being palletised ready for transport this week. A question: What did you have to provide to Customs to get your refrigeration gas cleared? Was the Owners manual enough proof that the gas isn't a nasty? P.S. Love reading "Modernising an Old Girl" - always entertaining & informative - you are doing an awesome job with that reno. Great stuff , glad to hear you've jumped on the Saving bandwagon. "Only a pallet" and a $10k saving is not too bad in my book. Certainly buys you a lot of beer! (or wine or whatever your vice may be) So well done As for the Fridge in my case I didn't have to provide anything. I saw on WP some people that did similar to me, were asked re the refrigerant but for me it wasn't an issue at all. I simply provided the Manufacturer and Model numbers of the Fridges and the broker did the rest. Maybe it was because the fridges I Imported were already in use in Australia (Miele ones) so they had all the details in their computer systems and waved them through as having the right Refrigerant gas etc. Not sure and that's just a guess but my advice would be to select and speak to your customs broker early on. They can find out if they need anything special for the Fridges you are bringing in, and you then have time to organise it when it's all on the high seas Cheers and good luck with it all https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=44762 My Owner builder journey extending a 1930's Bungalow 9 24789 This is one of the reasons I decided to go overseas for my double glazed windows. As the builder indicated, he's worked on many upmarket builds, these were the most well… 13 19235 2 15463 |