Strong dollar, anyone looking to import?
 

With the ozzy approaching parity with the USD, there's no better time to look at importing an aircraft. I notice the market over there is a little soft for used GA aircraft, so there's double the upside. Anyone considering it and any suggestions on who to use. The late Ron Jackson was brilliant when it came to managing the end to end process. Is there anyone else around with the same service?

you looking at ferrying or container?
Im looking at an import. need more info too, ie the process?

One would think anyone looking to buy an aircraft would be sharpening the pencil right about now..

Ron as in "Honest Ron"? They guy who used to import all the time? Is he no more?

Yeah great time to buy.

Don't miss the boat....
 

A friend in the industry has done $2.7mil worth of purchases out of the states in the last 3 weeks. He's currently shopping for 3 B200s ranging from $3mil down.

UTR

Boston Bruce Looking For a Bargain
 

Boston Bruce is apparently looking at the improving dollar value and hoping to import some JQ pilots into Australia.

I'm buying an IO540 when it hits $1:20 (120 US cents to the oz dollar) :ok:

saw a beaver amphib being pulled out of a container straight off the ship from the states today at cooly.

I've found a beast that I am interested in!:ok:

Sadly I don't have the cash.:{

Although if it makes it to $1-20 Jack Ranga, I might be right...;)

Off to the bank tomorrow to organise a loan for an RV-9A QB kit.

Lead time is reportedly 3 months or so, if that's any help in forcasting any shipping plans.

Hmmm...if anyone needs a king air ferry pilot let me know.

anyone needs a ferry pilot full stop let me know :ok:

Not only is the A$ strong but the used GA market in the US is tanking.

A chap I know has just purchased a 2003 (or thereabouts) C182 with less than a 1,000 hrs on the clock for a ridiculously low sum.

On the other hand it is terrible news for anyone trying to sell an aircraft in Australia.

Yes, there's definitely a buzz around the US A/C purchase arena. I know someone looking for one more person (for a 3 person syndicate) in a share for a 2005 or later C182 G1000. They've got a couple of craft in mind ... don't know about shipping/ferrying, but can ask if anyone's interested.

Nads.

So what is the approximate cost of shipping an aircraft over in a container? Single Engine piston size?

j3

Might be time to get my sticky fingers on a new toy......

1 Super Hornet $42.72 Million and dropping....... :ok:

Shipping will be roughly $7-10K

Plus GST on your purchase at the date of dispatch exchange rate and the shipping etc.

Do your sums.....need any help PM me but just be careful.

ALSO........ YOU MUST......NOT EVEN WORTH THINKING OTHERWISE...... go over and inspect it for yourself or send you local trusted LAME.

I know folk who have done otherwise and its always bitten them. I know of folk who have sent someone over.....and thankfully they did for teh same reason.

Do not get carried away in the hype!

You don't need 42mil, just try one of these....

1967 MIKOYAN MIG 21 UM Turbine Military Aircraft For Sale At Controller.com

1958 NORTH AMERICAN F86 Turbine Military Aircraft For Sale At Controller.com

Or down low in one of these

1983 SIAI MARCHETTI SF260TP Turbine Military Aircraft For Sale At Controller.com

But these are more up my alley

1942 BOEING/STEARMAN E75 Antique/Classic Aircraft For Sale At Controller.com

BARNSTORMERS.COM

And all the last bloke wants is a trade with a tractor...

j3

Container costings
 

To ship my RV kit over in boxes, sans engine and prop, will cost ~ $3,500 AUD - they package it with other kits to bring the individual cost down.

Have a look at Aussie Car Imports, they're most likely going to do mine and have done a few shipments of already-built airplanes lately too, I believe.

And according to the KRviatrix, aircraft <2000kg MTOW and aircraft parts for these planes are duty-free, under section 88 of the Customs act. Gotta love having a beancounter as a missus.

HH,

Believe it or not $1:20 is what some economists are forecasting (although they are the new snakeoil salesmen these days)

As far as the US market is going, until they learn the lessons they should have learnt years ago their economy will continue to be a basket case. If you thought their last slowdown was savage just wait for this one, it hasn't started yet and will be far worse, plenty of bargains to come yet, happy days :cool:

Any advice on a aerobatic aircraft for about the. 100k mark, something that is capable of most aerobatic moves

The RV-4 did sound appealing, two seats is the only requirement

All Aeroplanes and parts are duty free. If you buy second hand you will more than likely need a Quarantine inspection done. If you have Aircon then the gas needs to be the right type or more expense with Dpt of envionment.

20' container around 2-3000 and 40' around 4000. Add more for fees etc, about another $2-4000 depending on where in the country you are and who you use.

With the falling USD$ the shipping rates (quoted in USD$) are rising.......
Was just quoted USD$9700 for 40' from Florida to Sydney door-to-door.

RFG

And the door to door quote will not include a few extra costs you will get hit with.

I just looked up my costs for a 20' container in 2008 and they totalled around $10.5k so as pointed out, the rates are rising no doubt in line with the currency, so again.... be careful!:ok:

How does paying for a ferry as opposed with shipping one over (cessna single) compare, and what are the costs to put on Aussie register??

Box it...........and get another in a 40'er if you can.

But not exempt from 10% GST!

And that is why the Australian dollar must hit $1.10 minimum before we are anywhere near a level playing field. My last import, in a 20' container ex Seattle, cost me apx $10,000 inclusive of ALL costs. The contents cost me $20,000. (all AUD). Used aircraft attract a mandatory quarantine inspection which can get expensive and time consuming.

Whats involved in importing a homebuilt from the states? I'm one of those that would love a small aerobatic homebuilt but prefer to fly rather than build.

How hard are they to get on the VH register?

HINT: Don't overlook Europe/GB/SA.....A$ v Euro is pretty good.

Aircraft for Sale - Used Aircraft Sales at GlobalPlaneSearch.com
is a handy site for looking for a/c it links all the sellers into one site.

Trolley - no problem to VH, many have done it.:ok:

Fumigated and Packed 20ft container close to US$5000 from near New Orleans recently, would be a lot less from L.A. - possibly $3000+ and just 21 days sailing. Ground transport in US to LA can be high.
GST and customs on arrival. No duty.
A$1800 odd for port fees, local freight, brokerage, AQIS. etc
Insurance about 1% plus broker fee $50.
Free to pick it all up, pay to have it all delivered.
Biggest drama is getting container packed properly, not by nitwits.

No more "Honest Ron" sadly - he punched out a while back.

You'll need to have it inspected and put into GA experimental and you'll be up for a LAME to maintain it from there-on. If it's well built and you know a good reliable LAME you're in luck.

I know of someone though who recently brought in a Pitts from the US based on emailed photos and no personal inspection. He has spent more than the purchase price again on repairs. He couldn't have got it registered otherwise as nobody would have signed it off.


Duty is the least of your worries as Tail Wheel says, it's the GST that kills plus the other crap.

I almost purchased a boat from the BVI's recently and I imagine purchsing an aircraft also has similar hidden costs. Purchase price + GST 10% + Duty 5%, customs broker $900, refrigerant import licence $500, registration $800'ish, termite inspection up to $900. I would have also had to pay GST and duty on the cost of getting it here from the last port, so fuel & provisions from Noumea - 10% of that. Not a huge cost but more of a money grab.

Why not look for one here in Oz??

Thanks for the info.


Greater choice, and with the dollar up over 1.03 and rising!
Now would seem like a good time to look into it.

Trolley, you would have to be mad to buy a built home built out of the states. I've heard first hand from a bloke that has done some inspections for people who've done so and it's cost megabucks to rectify.

If you did want to, send someone over that knows to inspect first.

Might or might not be true but the manufacturers are cutting back production big time and some of the good, later stuff, post G1000 etc, is getting hard to find and firming in price, if only because operators are not turning it over as they were. Shipping costs are definitely on the up. Most door to door quotes are only estimates because they really don't know what a container will cost to process and cart until it gets here. They can even change the port on you and leave you with the cartage bill and come up with all sorts of other surprises. The fun you can end up having with AQIS can end up costing an arm and a couple of legs, depending who you get on the day. Its still quite difficult to end up with a plane you can sell here for more than it cost. The market here as a result of all of this importing is almost non-existent and very depressed of course and so quite a bit of downward price pressure here, although you might not know it to see some of the silly prices being asked. Its well worth having a good look around here and seeing what you can negotiate.

If anyone wants a machine crated up in a container, l used just the man based in
lakeland , florida. Did a superb job on an rv6 and is well versed in doing it. Cost $2200 when l did it.