Importing a yak from South Africa

[4liters]

Has anyone had a kayak shipped over from SA before? Is it possible? Is it more cost effective than getting one locally? Just based on the exchange rate, nice yaks like the Dorado II are almost half what they cost here, so depending on how much shipping costs and how much of a hassle it is organise it might be worthwhile.

I'd be keen to hear other members' experiences.

[Seasherpa]

A couple of blokes on other forums have done it, Clarkskis were brought in recently (bulk order) and my yak was the first Stealth Evo in Australia brought in by the Mona Vale boys in a group of four before there were importers in QLD.
http://stealthykayakfishing.blogspot.co ... forms.html
Reports of similar ventures since the dealerships were set up proved more expensive than buying in QLD. There were a couple of threads on the old AKFF,but they may be gone now. I looked into it too and apparently the biggest issue is damage in transit so really you need a mate in SA to do the wrapping and preferably a wooden crate before it goes in the container for shipping. You could always contact the Clarkski importer in QLD, offer them some cash to see if you can piggy-back on their load as they are probably dealing with a known quantity in terms of shipping and would have the customs process down pat.

[joffarob]

I would think you would need to get a pretty good deal to bother trying to bring in just the 1

My guess on sea freight would be around $250 at both ends plus the cost of getting your clearance paperwork done. Be looking at $500 plus I would think. But certainly look into it.

Just be careful because if you email an overseas freight forwarder for a price they won't generally include the Australian freight charges that you have to pay once it arrives.

[4liters]

Cool, thanks. Sounds like more trouble than it is worth. Probably would be better to just wait for a clearance sale here or grab a decent yak second hand as per the original plan.

[Hammertime]

Cool, thanks. Sounds like more trouble than it is worth. Probably would be better to just wait for a clearance sale here or grab a decent yak second hand as per the original plan.

Having moved back from the UK to Australia, I can tell you Australian import is no joke, lots of hidden fees, they even have a container cleaning fee that they drop on random people

[laneends]

Would be bugger for warranty claims..

[JägerMarty]

Just get a Hobie ....