I've noticed some really good deals on kites from a US store KiteHIGH Kitesurfing. The website says international fed ex postage is free with no sales tax. Has anyone bought from the US? Is it a good idea?

just remember you will probably get slapped 10-15% duty and tax

Hi Cooky,

Its true you wont pay US sales tax but you will pay 5% Duty on the kite and 10%GST on the kite,duty and postage when it gets to AUS.
If you buy your kite from overseas the Aus distributer wont be able to help you with any support or warranty issues as they keep a record of the kite numbers.
The prices didn't look so hot to me, a lot of old kites too.
eg- 13m 2005 SS Fuel.
Thier price- $1470.69
+ 5%= $1544.22 + 10%= $1698.65AUD
Current price for 13m Fuel in Aus is $1450
Id suggest speaking to your local shop and asking what specials they have or what price they are selling the kite you are after. If they have a website they may not have thier prices up to date.

Jason
www.briskites.com.au/

some times alot of money can be saved by importing... and other times with other brands... it can't

Or a phone call. That way you can find out if they are a "real kite store"

Adrenalin Rush Sports will do it for sure.

www.kiterush.net

Why not go a BEST NEMESIS, far better kite and cost $599. Theyl probably send it to you free as they have some insane freight deals. Theve looked after me for a while

Keith

PS: ive owned both a LF Spec2 and a NEMESIS.

I bought both my LF and BEST from them so they must sell LF.

I found the SPEC 2 to be a very unsatable kite in the air. I had a 14 and an 8mtr and the 14 was the worst. Turning speed was average and found the bottom end grunt didnt exist. however in strong winds the kite boosted big, but had trouble depowering in the gusts. Im not the flashest of riders but as soon as I tried the NEMESIS I found my ability improve in a single session. Hey this is my reflection but would consider BEST as they are great products and backed by unreal service.

LF boards are great but the kites are yet to be proven to me.

Keith

You wont miss GST tho, especially if they invoice the kite to you and supply paperwork, which is the norm.

Joe Millen
Adrenalin Rush Sports Australia

point taken

NO **** NEWB's

Are you the international novice?!?! Kitehigh was quoting you US dollar prices.

It just happens to be that (USD$698.90+USD$150 = USD$848.90) is just about the same as AUD$1111 using any exchange rate over the last 12 months...you bank and card speak AUD. Kitehigh speaks USD.....get it!

i've bought a $1000 wakeboard from the US and they didn't charge me any gst/duty or anything, apparently you can just get them to write it down as a gift. But if warranty is important i'd prob save the hassle and pay the extra couple of hundred or so, hit up your local store for a good price, most guys will match prices or at least offer something close.

gday cooky, if the LF sp 2 is the style of kite you want i would go the Best Yarga '06', i have flown the LF's a few times in diferent conditions and liked them but now have purchsed the '06' Yarga's and they are heaps better, they are rock solid, very stable, awesome turning speed and depower better than any other kite i have flown. you can get a 9m only for about $638 @ 0.75c US.

if your around Perth somewhere i would be happy to give you a go and see for yourself.

cheers

shoulder is going well, mainly riding waves at the moment as i cant unhook for a couple of months yet, sorry didnt see the date

cheers

quote:

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Originally posted by gigantas

Hi,
Any item over AUD800 will incure GTS and duty approx. 15% in total. Plus you will need to pay freight.

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How many times have you purchased gear over seas gigantas... my reason for asking this is I place orders overseas on a daily basis, admittedly I work for the company and know exactly how much taxes will be incured and when... I do see your point in regards if your doing it your self as I've not heard a good responce from anyone regarding "kitehigh"... However like I said I do this on a daily basis and never ever have I been charge something I didnt know was comming...

Correction: Tax/duty threshold is currently AUD1000 not AUD800 like I mentioned..

i got a $2000 projector (worth 3500 in AU) from japan and the guy that sent it to me wrote it down as a second hand projector worth $980. Hence no duty