Chinese Imported Sewing Machines

[Bert51]

Sadly, it seem to be normal in Australia for most dealers to charge more then other countries for Machines Parts and Accessories and Threads.

Bert.

[Matt S]

2 hours ago, Bert51 said:

Sadly, it seem to be normal in Australia for most dealers to charge more then other countries for Machines Parts and Accessories and Threads.

Ditto for the UK. A Chinese clone 441 or 205 is about £2-3K+ 20% tax from a dealer.

[Constabulary]

18 minutes ago, Matt S said:

Ditto for the UK. A Chinese clone 441 or 205 is about £2-3K+ 20% tax from a dealer.

as long as the UK is in the EU you could import it from Germany - maybe worth comparing prices - don´t know.

[dikman]

tt, that would be the Australian retail price. Granted, our $ isn't as good as it could be for buying overseas but we have a history of being ripped off in this country. China is in our backyard geographically so shipping costs should be cheaper than sending to the US or UK. Unfortunately, for items like this it's a relatively small market so not much competition so they can charge what they like. There is an industrial sewing machine dealer here in Adelaide and his 441 equivalent is about $5,000!

[Bert51]

I agree the Aussie dollar is low, but even when it was good the price difference was the same or greater.

I have been importing sewing machine parts and needles and motor bike parts and accessories for many years and buying retail and paying postage from the US is still cheaper much then buying retail in Australia.

Bert.

[dikman]

I've received a couple of quotes via alibaba but I'm still hoping more will come in. So far it looks to be under $2,000 for a complete unit and $1600 for the head only. I was advised to talk to a customs broker and get them to handle it at this end and one thing I was told is if there's any wood inside the crate, like a table, then it will be quarantined and will have a significant extra cost added on! If I bring in just the head it's not a problem, and as a bonus there's no customs duty on sewing machines, only GST.

Edited November 6, 2019 by dikman

[Wizcrafts]

28 minutes ago, dikman said:

one thing I was told is if there's any wood inside the crate, like a table, then it will be quarantined

Wouldn't this also apply to the shipping crate/box?

[Bert51]

Crates can be treated from the outside, if needed, but if there is wood internal, then it has to be dismantled and the user must pay for government workers must be paid for their time and the treatment.

And do we pay for our government workers time.

Bert.

[dikman]

What Bert said. I was told the fumigation is an expensive thing to have done, and I have no reason to doubt it.

I've just heard back from a chap who sells the Typical brand machines and he can do a 441 head unit for $3,000. This would include a 12 month Australian warranty and he has someone here in Adelaide who does any warranty work so it doesn't have to be shipped anywhere by me. Something else to consider.

Edited November 6, 2019 by dikman

[dikman]

So far I have prices of $1600, $1579, $1400, $1392, and $1111 (Australian $). The last one is branded SKSEW. There are many more sellers on alibaba, with prices all over the place.

These prices are for a 441 head unit only, FOB. I'm estimating shipping/customs at $500-$600 air freight.

Edited November 10, 2019 by dikman
Stuffed up my figures!!