[Wahlhamburger]

I have only found one thread of this from 2011, so I thought it is about time to open a new one.
As a new owner of a used RV9 that was in need of some maintenance:
Getting parts to Europe is a nightmare for me.
Obervations:
1. Orders from Vans store directly. Credit card payment first accepted then cancelled. Follow up via email leads to a solution after 3 weeks.
Essentially it seems that each shipping cost has to be calculated manually and then addeded and charged separately. I navigated this, which lead to a delay.
My mechanic tried the same and the shipment of an oil cooler and baffle has still not left Vans after 4 weeks.
2. Aircraft spruce: full catalog in the US. if you order, credit card declined and redirected to European website (Sandelving).
Much smaller onlince catalog. You wait until they have filled their batch shipping process. Usually 2 weeks.
3. US suppliers direct (like Bruce Covers): They ship with a long delay (4 weeks) but then there is no way to escape the added customs duty (which I believe would not have to be paid for aircraft parts).
4. Dynon: You get the large parts through the avionics specialists, but if you just need a pressure sensor, Dynon US only ships to US or Canada.
5. Lycoming parts through local shops in Europe: Distribution seems to work through the certified market via the certified maintenance shops, but seems hard to get your hands on the parts for experimental (legal reasons?).

It does not seem enough that the industry is a victim of the constant 10% price hikes for all monopoly parts (see Transdigm, Garmin),
but we seem to additionally pay an extra duty for being in Europe.

=> I am grateful for anyone who has found a way to navigate this.
I know my previous owner flew regularly to the US to bring his parts in his luggage, but that can't be the right solution.

 

[Rodo1fo]

Isn't there a package forwarding company that ships from the United States to your country? I live in Brazil, and sometimes I send items to a company in Miami that forwards them to me.

 

[Jonnyb]

LAS aerospace in the UK can supply all the parts in the Aircraft spruce catalogue. Use the aircraft spruce part number in the search bar.

Hopefully it would be easier getting stuff from the U.K. than the US.

Have you tried a currency converter card like Revolute? I’ve had zero issues paying and shipping to the U.K. when paying in USD.

 

[Dan 57]

I wouldn't call getting parts in Europe a nightmare, just very expensive

1. Orders from Vans store directly. Credit card payment first accepted then cancelled. Follow up via email leads to a solution after 3 weeks.
Essentially it seems that each shipping cost has to be calculated manually and then addeded and charged separately.

Haven't ordered any stuff from Van's direct for a while, but never had any problem like you had.

My mechanic tried the same and the shipment of an oil cooler and baffle has still not left Vans after 4 weeks.

Van's has had loads of problems, and still has. Chapter 11 aftermath, and a lot of the capacity in engineering, shipping and management being geared towards their latest baby, aka the -15. Things like an oil cooler is not manufactured in house, therefore supplier dependant.

Aircraft spruce: full catalog in the US. if you order, credit card declined and redirected to European website (Sandelving).

I'm using both, ACS Europe mainly for my liquid supplies (engine oil, Camguard, etc, that would be dangerous goods on international shipping), and most from ACS US direct. Very good experiences for many years, from both of them
Had had one CC declined once, switched to another one, problem solved.
ACS provides excellent service, again both of them, and giving choice of shipper at checkout is great.

US suppliers direct (like Bruce Covers): They ship with a long delay (4 weeks) but then there is no way to escape the added customs duty (which I believe would not have to be paid for aircraft parts).

The 4 weeks delay to shipping certainly is not typical. I've ordered many parts thru third party accessories vendors, and always had prompt service.
Regarding "addd customs duty", not sure which customs you're alluding to... US or EU?

Dynon: You get the large parts through the avionics specialists, but if you just need a pressure sensor, Dynon US only ships to US or Canada.

I'm not using kitchenware on airplanes, but nevertheless buy all of my avionics (the G stuff) thru ACS, same positive comments as above.

Lycoming parts through local shops in Europe: Distribution seems to work through the certified market via the certified maintenance shops, but seems hard to get your hands on the parts for experimental (legal reasons?).

Yes, it is very difficult to get any Lycosaurus parts in good 'ol Europe. I don't even try anymore, and usually get small parts, now priced prohibitively, thru ACS, or other US based engine parts provider. Don't think there's a legal reason to it, rather a lack of supplies.

Generally speaking, I always buy from the US seller/reseller direct, CC really render doing business super easy, and my only pains are:
A/ shipping costs which have exploded since the hype, and
B/ being centrally located in Europe, but out of it, so subject to not only custom and TVA, but also the very expensive administrative customs clearing fees charged by either the postal service or the shipper.

 

[LawrenceBE]

Had zero trouble ordering from Van’s and shipped to Belgium. The UPS customs doc is always a bit cryptic but tariffs seems minimal, the bulk is the VAT (no way to escape that one as an individual) and the UPS fee of course (20€ max). Also ordered from Cleaveland Tools, Airplane Tool Supply from the US. LASaero from the UK. And finally Spruce EU.

Pay attention that a lot of banks in Europe have the Mastercards and the likes defaulted to EU only, I personally have to allow for Web and/or US use in my banking app.

 

[Dan 57]

Isn't there a package forwarding company that ships from the United States to your country? I live in Brazil, and sometimes I send items to a company in Miami that forwards them to me.

Probably is... I have one, but seldom to never use it since they tend to wait for several packages to arrive to their shipping center, then unpack everything and repack in a big box before shipping. This adds in shipping delays... and the work is certainly not done free of charge.

 

[rv8ch]

=> I am grateful for anyone who has found a way to navigate this.
I know my previous owner flew regularly to the US to bring his parts in his luggage, but that can't be the right solution.

I think it's like @Dan 57 said - expect to pay a lot more. I just mentally assume everything will be 50% more with shipping and customs, and take a lot longer to get here.

Get in touch with some other builders/owners in the area, and if you are planning to place an order, you can combine the orders and save a bit on shipping.

 

[scard]

The struggle is real all around.
We recently had a headset seemingly evaporate in possession of German customs...
I don't fault some of our vendors that simply won't ship to distant shores. I've considered it.

 

[JoopSJ]

I use to order at most of the outlets you mention for many many years and never had a problem with my credit cards. If you have that many problems you will have to check with your credit card company.
1. Orders from VANS
There is no way around that. Very inconvenient that the transit times are unsure and that you have no control over the shipping options and prices.
2. Aircraft Spruce
Works perfectly. Orders are delivered on my doorstep within 3 to 4 working days.
My experience is that it is not very useful (price nor transit times) ordering from .eu (Sandelving).

Before Brexit I also used LAS Aero from the UK. But now it is not a good option for mainland Europe anymore. Most of the times Spruce will be faster and cheaper.

Aircraft parts are exempted from only import duties and that's only a few percent. And you have to go trough a lot of procedures and forms. Not worth it. There are ways to avoid VAT but that's very tricky.
So YES, being in Europe you have to add at least 30% to everything you see advertised in the US.
But hey... we have free education and healthcare for everyone

 

[Wahlhamburger]

LAS aerospace in the UK can supply all the parts in the Aircraft spruce catalogue. Use the aircraft spruce part number in the search bar.

Hopefully it would be easier getting stuff from the U.K. than the US.

Have you tried a currency converter card like Revolute? I’ve had zero issues paying and shipping to the U.K. when paying in USD.

 

[Wahlhamburger]

Thank you, I need to checkup on the currency converter thing. UK sadly is not easy either since brexit…

 

[Wahlhamburger]

I wouldn't call getting parts in Europe a nightmare, just very expensive

1. Orders from Vans store directly. Credit card payment first accepted then cancelled. Follow up via email leads to a solution after 3 weeks.
Essentially it seems that each shipping cost has to be calculated manually and then addeded and charged separately.

Haven't ordered any stuff from Van's direct for a while, but never had any problem like you had.

My mechanic tried the same and the shipment of an oil cooler and baffle has still not left Vans after 4 weeks.

Van's has had loads of problems, and still has. Chapter 11 aftermath, and a lot of the capacity in engineering, shipping and management being geared towards their latest baby, aka the -15. Things like an oil cooler is not manufactured in house, therefore supplier dependant.

Aircraft spruce: full catalog in the US. if you order, credit card declined and redirected to European website (Sandelving).

I'm using both, ACS Europe mainly for my liquid supplies (engine oil, Camguard, etc, that would be dangerous goods on international shipping), and most from ACS US direct. Very good experiences for many years, from both of them
Had had one CC declined once, switched to another one, problem solved.
ACS provides excellent service, again both of them, and giving choice of shipper at checkout is great.

US suppliers direct (like Bruce Covers): They ship with a long delay (4 weeks) but then there is no way to escape the added customs duty (which I believe would not have to be paid for aircraft parts).

The 4 weeks delay to shipping certainly is not typical. I've ordered many parts thru third party accessories vendors, and always had prompt service.
Regarding "addd customs duty", not sure which customs you're alluding to... US or EU?

Dynon: You get the large parts through the avionics specialists, but if you just need a pressure sensor, Dynon US only ships to US or Canada.

I'm not using kitchenware on airplanes, but nevertheless buy all of my avionics (the G stuff) thru ACS, same positive comments as above.

Lycoming parts through local shops in Europe: Distribution seems to work through the certified market via the certified maintenance shops, but seems hard to get your hands on the parts for experimental (legal reasons?).

Yes, it is very difficult to get any Lycosaurus parts in good 'ol Europe. I don't even try anymore, and usually get small parts, now priced prohibitively, thru ACS, or other US based engine parts provider. Don't think there's a legal reason to it, rather a lack of supplies.

Generally speaking, I always buy from the US seller/reseller direct, CC really render doing business super easy, and my only pains are:
A/ shipping costs which have exploded since the hype, and
B/ being centrally located in Europe, but out of it, so subject to not only custom and TVA, but also the very expensive administrative customs clearing fees charged by either the postal service or the shipper.

Thank you for this detailed reply

 

[Wahlhamburger]

I use to order at most of the outlets you mention for many many years and never had a problem with my credit cards. If you have that many problems you will have to check with your credit card company.
1. Orders from VANS
There is no way around that. Very inconvenient that the transit times are unsure and that you have no control over the shipping options and prices.
2. Aircraft Spruce
Works perfectly. Orders are delivered on my doorstep within 3 to 4 working days.
My experience is that it is not very useful (price nor transit times) ordering from .eu (Sandelving).

Before Brexit I also used LAS Aero from the UK. But now it is not a good option for mainland Europe anymore. Most of the times Spruce will be faster and cheaper.

Aircraft parts are exempted from only import duties and that's only a few percent. And you have to go trough a lot of procedures and forms. Not worth it. There are ways to avoid VAT but that's very tricky.
So YES, being in Europe you have to add at least 30% to everything you see advertised in the US.
But hey... we have free education and healthcare for everyone

Joop: you say you get aircraft spruce US to Europe in 3-4 days? Really?

 

[lucaperazzolli]

Joop: you say you get aircraft spruce US to Europe in 3-4 days? Really?

quite normal

 

[Wahlhamburger]

Ok thanks everyone… looks like I need to figure out how have my credit card not rejected by aircraftspruce us and bypass their European ops. Very helpful

 

[uk_RV9A]

Vans to UK for small orders used to be quite reasonable if you asked to use USPS. My last order they charged $79 shipping on a $64 small parts order, despite my requesting most economical shipping method. There is no visibility of what the charge will be when you place the order. Following this experience I will try to locate elsewhere instead of supporting Vans as I previously did.

 

[rv8ch]

Vans to UK for small orders used to be quite reasonable if you asked to use USPS.

Same here - I always specify USPS - it works best for my country, and - knock on wood - I have never lost a package. Airmail parcel post, FTW. I often have to convince the shipper that it works fine, and I don't need tracking, and if the box never arrives, I won't blame the shipper and ask for my money back. Obviously this won't work for everything, but for small stuff (sub $200) it's fine.

USPS saves money on the shipping cost, and on the receiving end (at least in my experience) since if there are no taxes due, there is no handling cost. With others like Fedex and UPS they charge a handling fee even if no customs/taxes/duties are owed.

Same if shipping from the UK to Europe - Royal Mail works well, even post Brexit.

I don't fault some of our vendors that simply won't ship to distant shores. I've considered it.

I get it - exporting is far harder than it needs to be, that's for sure, if you don't do it regularly. On behalf of my fellow non-US residents, thanks for hanging in there!

 

[Opelgt73]

Ok thanks everyone… looks like I need to figure out how have my credit card not rejected by aircraftspruce us and bypass their European ops. Very helpful

I've worked a lot overseas in several countries. I always have to call my bank or CC company and tell them what specific countries I am traveling to, where I am spending money in, to make sure there are no limits on spending AND to put a note on my account about all of that. Otherwise it just gets declined. So for instance I'm from the US with a US bank, I was living in China but ordering things from the EU. It took several tries to get my banks to clear that kind of thing and not default back to the original protection settings.