Looks like the dominos are starting to fall....this was posted by Smiffy's Bits on FB this morning....
Quite a sad post in a way, today I had a Webinar with HMRC & my Accountants regarding us, the UK leaving the EU.
It's going to be way too much for us to implement in time and costs for us to continue overseas sales, so if any of you overseas people want something now is the time to get in touch, you have a month to get any orders in, this unfortunately includes all of Ireland atm.
I know these guys are a small business compared to some of the other Mini parts suppliers, I just hope Spares, Sport and a few others can still ship to us after the first of the year. With Victoria British being bought out by Moss there are just fewer and much more expensive places to get parts for our Minis, and I have a lot of motors to build in the spring.
I would bet that a larger Mini supplier, such as MiniSpares, has a significant percent of their total sales as export sales (to Japan, US, Canada, Oz, NZ, South Africa, Europe, and everywhere else).
Therefore even though it may be messy at first to figure out the various details of exporting from the UK post-Brexit, I believe this will be temporary. Not good in the short term if you need parts NOW, but I think any issues will be resolved quickly.
I would not think this would change anything for shipping to the US. We are outside the VAT system already.
Then why is Smiffy's Bits stopping? Maybe there's some big regulatory hoops yet to be jumped thru?
that don't make sense for a small business like theirs? maybe they derive such a large percentage of their business right there at home that the extra work of packing and shipping overseas just doesn't make economic sense? Dunno....
Well if they stop shipping we are all screwed cause everything from mania or 7 also has a minispares label.
Mini Spares posted to Instagram Today :
" Due to continuing uncertainty around Brexit deal, The final day to place order for DHL delivery to the EU will be 12/18/20 Any orders after this date will be likely delivered in Jan 21 , with pending tarrifs depending on location.
Absolutely consider the Americas other hemisphere in the fold - might be a pinch on deliveries for a while.
I've made 5 orders to spares this month already for this very reason - it's not that there won't be trade, it's just that they won't know how to charge us, exchange rates, taxes, shipping all up in the air. I've been saying for a while now that this was going to be a problem for us getting Mini parts....
If they won't ship to the US too, I set it up with my brother in England that I'll buy the stuff and have it shipped to him, then he'll send it to me from his house as personal goods. We'll see if it works.....it will cost more in shipping, but it may be the only way to get stuff in a timely manner.
Now that Moss bought Victoria British and closed down the local warehouse, everything I need has to be shipped in and if I can't get it from England and have to use one of the "locals", prices will really be higher.
I've noticed Spares is out of a LOT of stuff too.....they literally do not have any pistons.
I just talked with a friend who lives in the UK. It's Pete Cavallo for those of you who know him from his mini years. Now he lives over there and imports over a million in cars and all the part sales to go with it. Figured he'd be the guy to ask. Basically it's a nightmare right now till they figure out the tax code. No one knows what to tax.
I would think it should have little effect on shipments to the USA as that tax situation should not be changing?
I wrote Spares a note this morning asking that very question...we'll see how/if they respond......won't hear anything till Monday anyway.
Maybe we can get Dan to start hauling a couple hundred pounds of stuff with him each trip? ;D
Our payload is about 200k lbs. Pretty sure I could fit 50 minis in the belly.
So, a couple hundred pounds of parts should be no problem then? 77.gif
I suppose if I buy stuff and ship it to my brother in England, I'll have to pay VAT too?
One of the guys I flew with just bought a Persian rug in turkey and brought it home on the plane. Had it appraised locally and it was close to 3k. He paid $450 for it after some haggling.
Quote from: MiniDave on December 19, 2020, 10:18:35 AM
I suppose if I buy stuff and ship it to my brother in England, I'll have to pay VAT too?
Probably.
Quote from: MPlayle on December 19, 2020, 10:51:06 AM
Quote from: MiniDave on December 19, 2020, 10:18:35 AM
I suppose if I buy stuff and ship it to my brother in England, I'll have to pay VAT too?
Probably.
I would say without any doubt you'll have to pay VAT for delivery internally within the UK. Otherwise, people would just promise on their honor to send whatever they're buying out of the country to avoid paying VAT. No way would that pass muster. A tourist to the UK can seek to recover whatever VAT has been paid on items they've shipped out of the country (eg gifts purchased on holiday) but I'm pretty sure that does not apply to citizens
The UK government is currently in a pissing match with the EU negotiators who don't seem to understand that the UK is asserting its sovereign rights regarding fishing in UK waters. Meaning no EU fishing boats allowed there post Jan 1st. And that is affecting other trade negotiations at the moment.
I wrote MiniSpares about the Brexit effects on shipments to us, and I suggested that if things went tits up maybe I could send stuff to my brother in the UK, then he could send it on to me.
In the reply I got today he said what most of you have - that shipments to the US should not be affected by the treaty as it is outside the EU, however I got to thinking about that as everything I get is thru DHL,. and goes to Germany first (which is in the EU)
He said shipping it to my brother probably wouldn't help anyway.
He also said DHL's backlog is huge and getting worse by the day, and if there will be any issue it will be with them as going into the holiday season they're already crushed, and it's getting worse day by day. He said they consider themselves lucky if they can get DHL to come pick up a shipment that day.
So, bottom line it won't get any better before the first of the year, and it may not get better after that, but stuff should still get thru.
What he didn't address is stuff getting to them - from their suppliers.....
They've been out of so much stuff lately - every order I place there are at least 3 or 4 things that I need but can't get due to out of stock.
No one I've talked to is happy about Brexit, they might understand or think they do about the reasons why the gummint did it, but they're not happy with how they've handled it or the results - and everyone is braced for trying times ahead.
The part that gets me is that they can't send stuff to parts of Ireland!
The DHL thing is a result of cargo demand sky rocketing during this year's worldwide Coronavirus lockdown. People are buying online more. They and other cargo companies are understaffed to handle demand. Passenger airlines are in the tank while cargo airlines are hiring. This trickles down to drivers. Our local drivers are swamped, with many new drivers who don't know what they're doing. This is just observation with our building's management that consistently has delivery shipment issues, especially on weekends when the new drivers work. I suspect the lack of parts has something to do with manufacturing being halted because of Coronavirus lockdowns. People aren't allowed to work and things aren't getting done. Reduced staff, reduced hours, working remotely, and so on.
Edit: to add further. I eventually did get a phone call from bestbuy (delivery driver left and canceled my order) Turns out my email was sent to corporate and they were not happy either. Talked with the regional manager guy on the phone awhile and they're also having issues with shipments due to demand. They decided to go with a 3rd party to help alleviate that problem, but lack of experienced drivers are creating some issues. I helped him get in touch with our management team so this 3rd party can learn our system.
Quote from: MiniDave on December 21, 2020, 07:59:18 AM
I got to thinking about that as everything I get is thru DHL,. and goes to Germany first (which is in the EU)
I'm guessing Leipzig. That's just a hub they feed through, and I doubt they'd be held to some other taxes on their cargo, and if they were I'd expect to see them find a new hub. We used Ireland as our primary European hub but as the pandemic closed down certain countries that prevented us to overnight, we switched to Bulgaria. Turns out it's cheaper and more efficient.
I mentioned that we don't know a lot about Brexit over here except what we read or see on the BBC, here's his reply...
There is a lot we don't understand about Brexit, so you are not alone, its basically a pissing competition and the French seem to have decided to settle some old grievances.
I also asked about how low their stock is getting (can't get high compression pistons for either 998's or 1275's right now, in any size) and he replied....
Its always worth emailing about parts as stuff moves so fast at the moment, often we in the north will have it on the shelf as the website doesn't show our stock
Look at Russel Engineering for high compression pistons. He has a good selection for small bores.
https://russellengineering.com.au/
68mm high comp pistons in a 1098, worked head, 266S cam, hif44 carb.
Isn't he in Australia?
Yep.
I believe Calvert carries them for Russell.
https://www.calverst.com/webshop/engine/
I just placed a huge order with minisport. I usually expect them to take 2 months to ship things to begin with, so the clock starts now.
My order came from Sport in about 2 1/2 weeks from the time they told me it was shipped, but I requested DHL instead of FedEx, so that may have helped....Spares is taking about a week these days.
I used UPS on this one. It was significantly cheaper.
A post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU was announced today that agrees on no tariffs or quotas. That should quiet things down and fill the speculation void.
4 freaking years of turmoil to come up with this? good grief.....
Trade is just one part of Brexit. The significant part is that UK regains its sovereignty and is able again to make its own laws and policies again instead of having to go along with whatever some EU bureaucrat - accountable to no one - in Brussels decides. This is what a majority of voters in the UK agreed to when they decided to Leave the EU rather than to Remain.
With Brexit, as with any messy breakup there are pros and cons, winners and losers, but the fact of the matter is the UK has asserted its right for self-determination. And there are other cracks in the EU facade as other countries may considering leaving the union as well.
Quote from: 94touring on December 22, 2020, 11:04:14 AM
I just placed a huge order with minisport. I usually expect them to take 2 months to ship things to begin with, so the clock starts now.
Set to be delivered tomorrow. So took 2 weeks. Not bad. I have orders from minispares being sent out in their standard under a week time period as well.
Yeah, my stuff from Sport took about 2 weeks also, most of my orders from Spares are here in 10 day or less....
Just so we're not double ordering - I got the new wheels and tires for the Pup on this order, I also got new windshields for all three of his cars, w/s seals and chrome fillets.
As far as Brexit goes, it doesn't seem to be having a big effect on us other than shipping costs are up, all of my orders seem to trigger the customs duty where it used to be only orders over $1000 did, and they are out of a LOT of stuff these days.
It is wreaking havoc in Europe tho, folks in France and the Netherlands are absolutely shut down on parts from England. The tax rules are so complex no one can figure them out and who knows what's happening at the borders....last I saw the line of trucks trying to go both directions was miles long trying to get thru customs.
Too bad they couldn't have got all this sorted out in the last 4 years instead of the last 4 days.....
I'm just the suspension guy for Bill. It will be rolling around for the engine to be dropped in, then shipped out.
OK. You want the old wheels and tires?
My plan is just to drop the motor in and bolt it down, then ship both cars back to him with all the extra parts and such in the trailer....he can take it from there.
Clancy has offered to ship them, I'll put the two of them together and they can work it out.
I have an exhaust system for him too.....
I'd never use these things lol. Heavy ass 13s! I think he just sent them for me to roll it around the shop floor.
OK, they can go back in the trailer with the Pup.
Clancy is delivering the White car back to him next week.
Having both of his cars shipped at once will be the easiest. It's kind of a pain to have things shipped from my place with my schedule.
I agree, but he wants the white car back now....and Clancy's schedule is free to take it right now. I left the arrangements up to them.
A local guy tried to order wheels and tires from JBW, they said they were out of stock and didn't know when they'd get them......he said the ship is at the dock with their containers of stuff but it's not being allowed to unload.
I also heard there was a mile long que of trucks at the border waiting to cross and an equally long line waiting to come in and nothing has moved for days now.
I have a fairly large shipment of big things (tires, wheels, windshields) coming, shipping was almost $600!
I can't speak to issues with JBW, but there was indeed a line of trucks at the border in Dover last week.
However it was due to COVID-19 restrictions from France, and had nothing to do with Brexit. Post-January 1st, trucks in and out are flowing smoothly. If you are relying on the BBC to get news (or really any of the London-based news media) you're getting a very biased and negative view of Brexit. I expect anytime a shipment has an issue in the foreseeable future, fingers will be pointed at Brexit. It might be true sometimes, but it might also be the go-to scapegoat.
Here's what's really happening in Dover. https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/how-calm-port-dover-looked-4853772.amp
Yeah, the guy at JBW didn't say why the shipment was sitting on the boat - the Covid makes more sense.....especially as I'll bet the container is from China, not the EU.
Well, I don't know if it's a Brexit effect exactly, but less than a month after they shut their doors after being acquired by Moss - I sure do miss Victoria British!
I have two Sprite transmissions to build and I'm having to try and find a good parts source - Moss is out of key parts like bearings, synchros and gaskets, Winners Circle the same, and since one of these is being rebuilt with straight cut race gears - the outfit I used before in England for gears and such and hoped to get another set from isn't answering their emails.
I guess I'll have to get an international phone account so I can call these guys and find out if they're still in bidness.
Anyone have a good US or even English source for Sprite parts, other than Sprite Mania?
Quote from: MiniDave on January 14, 2021, 12:05:54 PM
Anyone have a good US or even English source for Sprite parts, other than Sprite Mania?
You try Guessworks in the UK. He only does transverse boxes but he may know someone that does the others.
I have these in my bookmarks because they sell "British car stuff". Not sure if they will be helpful or not.
https://www.bpnorthwest.com/austin-healey/sprite.html
https://www.sportsandclassics.com/
https://bugeyeguyparts.com/
Quote from: 94touring on January 04, 2021, 10:24:06 AM
Quote from: 94touring on December 22, 2020, 11:04:14 AM
I just placed a huge order with minisport. I usually expect them to take 2 months to ship things to begin with, so the clock starts now.
Set to be delivered tomorrow. So took 2 weeks. Not bad. I have orders from minispares being sent out in their standard under a week time period as well.
Or not. So not brexit related that I'm aware but more UPS being really bad at delivering packages. The following days after expecting this to be delivered I received emails saying a signature was required, so I went online and gave the thumbs up to have the management office here sign. Then I got more emails so figured I'd have them just leave it on my patio sans signature. Then more emails saying signature required. So I called. 15 minutes of navigating through the automated system got a half wit on the phone who didn't give me much confidence. Nevertheless I wrote down his instructions and filled out a form and emailed it to UPS per his instructions. I also sent Minisport an email letting them know that we had a problem and they probably need to investigate. Days passed and the onslaught of emails saying a signature was required (no shit) and then Minisport emailed me this very detailed customs form for me to fill out. After reading the form it became obvious it wasn't for me but rather for them. Unless I import 50k worth of parts and have 2 corporate officers to sign the form. So back and forth some more via emails. Mike Guido has been helping out now and there's been a big back and forth with UPS and the UK. Still not resolved but Monday I think is the day. Also on the one UPS form it said there's a $20 a day storage fee accruing. So I'm excited about that.
What all is in the shipment? Disc brake kit , Smooth a rides and suspension bits?
Yeah that's pretty much it. Enough stuff to build subframes.
Quote from: 94touring on January 15, 2021, 03:36:05 PM
Also on the one UPS form it said there's a $20 a day storage fee accruing. So I'm excited about that.
I hope you mentioned the Stoughton failure-to-deliver-in-timely-manner fee of $30 per day.
You're gonna make a bundle! 4.gif
Quote from: BruceK on January 15, 2021, 04:38:09 PM
Quote from: 94touring on January 15, 2021, 03:36:05 PM
Also on the one UPS form it said there's a $20 a day storage fee accruing. So I'm excited about that.
I hope you mentioned the Stoughton failure-to-deliver-in-timely-manner fee of $30 per day.
You're gonna make a bundle! 4.gif
You get a complimentary shirt though.
Every time I pass a tractor trailer with that I think of you. Isn't that sweet? ;D
I bought some stuff from the company store. Maybe UPS should use Stoughton trucks to deliver my parts.
We have had 2 random UPS deliveries, not delivered, due to "signature required" nonsense. This was just stuff that was ordered randomly online from US stores over the last month or so.
We were told that there is some issue with UPS just randomly assigning the "signature required" tag to various packages for no obvious reason. Of course UPS tries to blame the company shipping the package but they insist they have done nothing different and we have gotten things from these places before without issue.
Well, I just got notice from DHL that my shipment - 6 boxes! - has been contracted to but not picked up yet by DHL, which means it will arrive sometime late next week - which means I won't be able to unload or store any of it since that will be after my surgery date - I hope the windshields aren't broken cause I won't be able to check when they get here like I usually do.
Going to be an interesting few weeks ahead. 9.gif
Minisport is still battling with UPS. No one understands why they're being so difficult over this one particular order.
We placed an order with MiniSport late Friday night January 8th and it arrived yesterday with economy shipping. We were pleasantly surprised!
My MiniSport order came thru in the usual 2 weeks or so, MiniSpares usually gets it done in about a week with DHL shipping.
I have NO idea what the heck is holding up Dan's order.
Good news, UPS finally delivered those parts! I didn't even get hit with storage fees. Mike at minisport said that was the worst experience they've ever had!