Hi - I'm a noob here. Just acquired a 2004 R53, electric blue on Friday. After learning about mushrooming strut towers, I have been driving on eggshells near anything resembling a pothole.
I would like to buy Cravenspeed STD's and install them ASAP. Is there a Canadian distributor for their products or is it quite straightforward ordering directly from Cravenspeed?
Thanks in advance.

 

They have a web site: www.cravenspeed.com

Yes, you can order directly.

 

Yep they take orders directly. You can call if you want as well and order.

 

Thanks both of you. This will be my first order of business today!

 

If shipping is an issue...I use TSB Shipping Plus in Point Roberts WA. Take Twaassen (spelled right?) in Delta to get in the US border. They charge $3 handling fee. Bring a 10 mm socket and install it there before going back to Canada if you don't want the hassle of paying the 12% HST. Get the quote from Craven speed first as cost might be the same.

 

If the part you ordered isn't all that expensive, the border guard might (likely) just wave you through. If, however, you installed it yourself and the border guard believes you to be lying about importing a product (ie...you said nothing to declare but you are bringing something over), you may be fined a lot more than what the part cost.

If however (read the duties), your car broke and you needed the part installed in order to drive your car home, there is no duty or taxes assessed.

Sorry to have to bring this up. One of my best friends is Canada customs officer. I'm a lousy liar so I don't even try and very seldom do I have to pull over and pay additional taxes, even if I am over my limit. But then, if I'm going to bring a lot of stuff back, I just find a reason to stay overnight before coming home.

 

I've done big items like headers, full cat-back exhaust, tires, sway bars, & lowering springs that I all declared and paid my tax dues. Some officers are more lenient and some are just pain in the ***.
I have witnessed it myself and you can see that so many people take out the product from their original boxes before crossing the border. The border officers know it but don't bother. Why? Can you imagine hundreds of cars lining up in that tiny border due to strict scrutiny by the officers? For the price of that Craven speed plate $110 (?), just pay the $13 tax if you chicken out or a super honest citizen.

 

Thanks all. I should have mentioned I live on Vancouver Island and therefore it's not really worthwhile to take a ferry and drive across the border unless what I want to import is worth at least several hundred.
I am going to find out if Cravenspeed will ship a small package with STD's via USPS - that way I won't have to deal with UPS and their ridiculous brokerage fees.

 

Most border officers know it costs more than $20 just to process the paperwork on taxes so it is likely they won't bother.

I can only remember one incident where we were told to pull in and pay taxes. When the officer inside looked and found our taxes due was less $20, he called out to the border guy at the booth and chewed him out.