Non-Traditional Mini Parts Suppliers, Tariffs, and Surprises.

[BruceK]

Since tariffs (and courier companies) can add unwanted excitement and additional cost when ordering Mini parts from our familiar UK suppliers like MiniSpares and MiniSport, I've been looking at alternative sources. Of course we can't count on MiniMania or Seven anymore. 

Earlier this month I purchased Mini parts from WildChild and Moss, both based in the US, to avoid drama and bogus charges from a shipping company like UPS not knowing what they're doing regarding import fees with an international shipment. Using a US based company is a lot smoother and both of them delivered the orders promptly.

But, Moss doesn't carry every Mini part, and WildChild seems to be pretty low on inventory right now.

As I'm currently working on refurbishing my Mini's fuel tank, I decided I might as well put in a brand new sender unit. WildChild was out of stock, and Moss wanted over $105 for that part.

Then I found a Mini fuel tank sender unit for $50 at Engel Imports located in kalamazoo, Michigan. They specialize in Jaguar parts but their website said they had the Mini part I wanted available, so I ordered it yesterday.

Today I got an unusual email from them  (See below) where they explained they are actually part of a German parts company and the fuel sender unit I ordered from Michigan would be shipped from Germany (!), but I shouldn't have any problems with having to pay any tariffs or import fees. Hmmm.

So I guess I'll see if UPS actually agrees to that when delivery day comes.

[MiniDave]

I've done business with Engel and had forgeten about them - their prices are pretty reasonable too. I've also heard of Limora tho I haven't bought anything from them. This will be interesting to see what happens.

I tried to get Clancy's master cylinder from Wild Child (Nate is easy to deal with too) but he was out of stock.

[BruceK]

My package from Engel is still in Germany according to the UPS tracking, but it is scheduled to be delivered in four days, this coming Monday.  I'm going to give the guy who wrote me the email a call tomorrow to make sure together we understand that I will not be giving any money to UPS – should they request it – to secure the delivery. I'm still pissed off from the last stunt UPS pulled in September for my delivery from Belgium.

I have received a copy of the order invoice that was generated in Germany by the parent company and it does not have any HS codes on it to classify the items as auto parts, so I am unsure of how customs duties and fees will be addressed and paid on the vendor side.

[Scargo]

I looked to order a steering rack from Wild Child but instead of doing it online, I had a question so I called their phone line. It went to voicemail over a week ago, I left a message requesting a return call and to date I've not heard back. In the meantime, I ordered one from Mini Spares and received it within five days. Tariff equated to 27.5%.

Did you try BPNW ?

[94touring]

I looked to order a steering rack from Wild Child but instead of doing it online, I had a question so I called their phone line. It went to voicemail over a week ago, I left a message requesting a return call and to date I've not heard back. In the meantime, I ordered one from Mini Spares and received it within five days. Tariff equated to 27.5%.

Did you try BPNW ?

What amount of that was DHL adding $17 to the bill for the admin fee and what was the tarrif amount? 

[MiniDave]

I didn't know BPNW carried any Mini parts, I know Don uses them for Sprite/Midget and GT6 parts.

I've used Steveston in Canada for some accessory type stuff and it was cheaper to go to them than Japan or England at the time, but that was before the tariff things went crazy.....I have no idea what the tariff is for Canada right now.

Howard, I'm surprised you didn't get anyone at Wild Child, I called the other day and Nate answered right away.

[BruceK]

So I called Engel Imports today to learn more about the car parts delivery process from Germany that I've been promised does not involve me having to pay separate customs duties or tariffs charges.

Basically the bottom line is Engel is covering all the import fees themselves rather than pass them on directly to the customer. So from the customer's viewpoint it's the same as having an order fulfilled by a vendor completely within the US.

Obviously, "there's no free lunch" and somebody ultimately has to pay these charges, but for me personally not having to deal with UPS or DHL or whatever carrier collecting customs fees/tariffs is sure going to make things easier. And Engel's price on the fuel sender I ordered was only half the price of one from Moss, so they don't seem to be treating tariffs as an additional profit center like UPS does with their bogus $12 customs broker charge.

My package is expected to be delivered in three days and if anything changes, I will update things here. 

In the meantime, you may want to check out this company as a potential source for Mini parts:  engelimports.com

[MiniDave]

Just scrolling around the website for Mini parts, some things seem really expensive, some seem really reasonable....overall probably only a bit more than Spares time you factor in exchange rate.

[MPlayle]

My turn to join this thread. 

I am giving British Parts Northwest a try.

I needed to order some rear brake parts (rear brake shoes and cylinders).  I used to be able to get them through the local parts stores using a 1973 MG Midget as a cross reference, but none of the stores are carrying them anymore.

BPNW had them listed as in stock and at prices comparable to Mini Spares or Mini Sport (factoring in the exchange rate).  Shipping will be about $19 via UPS ground.

I will report on how well the order process turns out.