Canadian members - your experiences ordering parts from the US or abroad
 

Hi all!

I'm a resident of Toronto Canada, ready to start modding my Z. I'm looking for feedback and experiences (good and bad) from Canadians who have ordered cosmetic or performance parts from the US or anywhere else, ex Lip/body kits or intake and exhaust systems. All of you experiences shared would be greatly appreciated!

Carlito


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I've ordered parts through a number of the U.S.-based suppliers/sponsors listed in the suppliers section … Z Speed Performance, Concept Z Performance, Z1 Motorsports. Always received great service from very knowledgable folks. Never any problems with shipping or customs clearance. The suppliers have always provided tracking numbers so you know exactly when and where the parts are. Shipping has sometimes been very quick … arrival within 2-3 days. Follow-up from the suppliers to confirm receipt, etc. also has been very good. Shipping can be expensive depending on weight. When ordering brake rotors or other heavy parts, I sometimes look for local dealers or perhaps Vancouver-based suppliers. Drivers Edge in Vancouver is also a good supplier of performance parts. I suspect you could source heavy items from a a local shop or from Montreal. Anyway, my experience has been good. Good luck with the mods!

Just remembered that I've also ordered parts through Stillen and SPL in the U.S. Again, never any problems.

One recommendation: If you're in the market for an aftermarket clutch … or just general advice on the Z … Joe at Z Speed Performance is great to work with. Really knowledgable and always quick to respond. He also carries an under the engine aluminum shroud that replaces the OEM plastic unit … and makes oil and filter changes much easier since he designed in an access port so that you do not need to remove the 18 or so screws/fasteners that hold the plastic piece in place. He deserves some kind of award for this!

i'm new to modding my car as well and would like to hear others experience.

I do have one suggestion, checkout Whitehead Performance, they are in TO and have pricing on their website for some parts, if nothing else it will give you a comparison in Canadian dollars. They carry Ark, KW and Stillen on there website. I haven't ordered from them yet, only had the car a short while, but I use to have them service my Honda back in the 90's and they were good guys then.

As far as shipping UPS and Fedex, charge brokerage fees, so that adds extra cost to what you buy. If possible ship with USPS, as they do not charge brokerage fees.

If you ship with the first two, and the brokerage fee is high (it's percentage of the total value), you can self declare. Inform the shipper prior to delivery that you wil self declare, they wil send you the documents and then you go to the nearest Canada Customs office (usually at the airport), pay your duty and taxes. Once those are paid, you let the shipper know and they wil deliver.

If the duty is $10, then it is probably not worth the hustle and the gas to drive to Customs. If it is $200, then it is worth it.

Another tip is to get parts that are US made, then they are covered by NAFTA and no duty is required. Ask you parts source to provide NAFTA documentation.

+1 for USPS, I try and do this for anything I get from the US, shipping is usually cheaper and they seem to let taxes and duties go without collecting them most of the time.

I hadn't thought about the NAFTA rules, does that mean a Fast Intentions exhaust would come to Canada Duty free?

I know of some folks here in Calgary who also use a shipping warehouse just across the border in Montana. The warehouse provides you with a U.S. mailing address ... and for a modest fee you can arrange to ship directly from the U.S. supplier to the warehouse ... and then travel across the border to pick up the goods whenever convenient. The shipping costs can be quite a bit cheaper this way. I suspect there must be similar warehouses in Niagara that you could contact and make the necessary arrangements ... especially if you're looking for a U.S.-made exhaust or other bulky/heavier items.

I calculated the amount of time and gas and fees it would take to do this. Unless you are ordering a bunch of expensive items at once, it is not worth it. At best you come out even.

You bet. Ask Tony to fill out the paperwork and you'll save a couple of hundred. I did.

I agree. The trip from Calgary to Montana can eat time and gas. However, depending on where the OP lives in Toronto, it may be a relatively short hop over to the border at Niagara.

Got my wheel package from Japan via the USA. My advice...don't use UPS!

I almost lost my whole package and had to pay those crooks an outrageous bunch of fees.

Sometimes there is no choice but to use UPS, most of the time it is under the shippers control and out of the buyers control. Could have saved the brokerage fees.

I always seem to get ding'd an extra $10-$40 when it gets delivered to Canada. Ragardless of if it comes from UPS, FedEx etc. Brokerage/duty fee's etc.

I haven't had any issues other than the ludicrous fees.

Hands down OZ Motorsports is the best place to buy anything. They can get you anything you want at a fraction. Ask for Roberto. Tell him you're part of the gta 370z club. Any name brands.including JDM from Japan he can get. He's located in brampton.
Enjoy your modifying:tiphat: