The oddity here, also, is that they would buy a huge sodding crate of parts = tiny shipping cost averaged over the number of parts.

Problem is - if you buy the pipes and they arrived dented or wrong ones, you have a shitload of pain trying to get the US seller to resolve it

I’ve bought scout parts from part shark - no problems. 
Far cheaper than here. 

Go to cheap cycle parts they do

I’ve heard that many of the parts and accessories are thrown in the same shipping container as imported motorcycles.  Even Dunlop tyres fill up the gap.  So, depending on how you look at it, there are no additional shipping fees for Polaris to pay bringing in bits.

That can happen.  However, a few of us on here have ordered slip-on pipes and the correct item arrived, undamaged.  If such assurance is worth $400, keep on buying locally and support our economy.  I actually ended up getting an aftermarket pipes, landed for AUD$900 so saved $900.

There is no right or wrong way here.  It is just what works for us.  If being overcharged in Australia (by paying 50% more or even double what our American friends pay for the same parts) doesn’t sit right with you, here is an option.

Partshark.com was great while it lasted.  But now that Polaris USA has forced Partshark to cease exporting, we have to use one of many USA Parcel Forwarding Services.  ...Either that or pay ridiculous Australian prices for genuine Indian Motorcycle parts and accessories.  😏

How ridiculous???  

Stage 1 Pipes & Six Shooter Tips (Chrome)
Australian Retail Price AUD$1,800.  
US Retail Price USD$999,98 (Converts to AUD$1,288).
PartShark Price USD$868 + Domestic Delivery Charge + Parcel Forwarding Service

Exhaust Heat Shield (Black) - Part#2880798
Australian Retail Price AUD$650 (Fitted, sorry don’t have parts only price) - I estimate $600?
US Retail Price USD$280 (Converts to AUD$361).  
PartShark Price USD$243 + Domestic Delivery Charge + Parcel Forwarding Service

Passenger Seat For Dark Horse (Black) - Part#2882767-01
Australian Retail Price AUD$742(Fitted, sorry don’t have parts only price) - I estimate $700?
US Retail Price USD$300 (Converts to AUD$387).  
PartShark Price USD$261 + Domestic Delivery Charge + Parcel Forwarding Service

As you can see, even with an added cost of Parcel Forwarding Service fees, there is plenty to save. 😝

It is also worth looking at the Partshark competitor Cheap Cycle Parts (CCP). 

As you can see below, on some products, CCP was cheaper than Partshark.

• Indian Chieftain (touring bike) Fox Racing Air Shocker is USD$494.09 at Partshark. CCP is USD$460.22.
• Indian Rider Backrest (Black) is USD$312.47 at Partshark. CCP is USD$309.56.
• Indian Heated Grips is USD$269.07 at Partshark. CCP is USD$269.69.
• Indian Men's Benjamin Leather Jacket is USD$402.99 at Partshark. CCP is USD$434.99.

Parcel Forwarding Services

There are dozens of such service providers.  They all offer slightly different ways of calculating their fees.

Unfortunately, due to the changes in Australian GST regulations, all the established Parcel Forwarders are collecting GST on Oz government's behalf.  We will continue to look for forwarders who does not collect GST.  If you know such a forwarder, please let us know.

 

The above table is NOT intended to be a comprehensive analysis.  But rather a starting point for you.  

I have used a dummy parcel weighing 2kgs, 5kgs and 10kgs to work out the shipping costs from 6 forwarders.  In each case, if the purchase amount was required, I have stated USD$500 (as some forwarders work out the insurance based on that price).

Unsurprisingly, ShopMate operated by Australia Post offers most favourable freight fees.  However, they use US Postal Service (USPS) and Australia Post (not couriers) so the delivery will take longer.  ShopMate also imposes maximum length of 1.05m, and 22kgs maximum weight restriction.  However, they are the only one to charge you in Australian dollars (so, no currency conversion charges).

Meanwhile, MyUS.com does not consider the volumetric weight, within reason.  So, they might be more suitable for exhaust pipes or other bulky items.

Speaking of bulky items, although UStoOZ does not offer an online shipping calculator (you have to email), they also offer sea freight service (takes several weeks but should be much cheaper).

From my preliminary analysis of forwarders, there does not appear to be one, clear winner.  Instead, there are several options depending on the size and weight of the item you wish to import.  

If it was me buying Indian parts and accessories from either Parkshark or CCP, I would check out the ShopMate and MyUS.com first.  They both allow you to get a quote on shipping fees online.


We Need Your Help! 👈

Please share with us your experiences as you order goods through your chosen forwarder.  We want to find one or two 'go to' forwarders we can use.  Collective wisdom will benefit everyone.

The oddity here, also, is that they would buy a huge sodding crate of parts = tiny shipping cost averaged over the number of parts.
You buy one set of pipes and you pay full whack on shipping and it's STILL cheaper = just bumfk nuts.

Problem is - if you buy the pipes and they arrived dented or wrong ones, you have a shitload of pain trying to get the US seller to resolve it (I've tried on other things non-bike, the US people don;t care about outside US buyers)

Here... if you unbox your pipes and they are wrong or dented... you trundle right back tot eh dealer and serve them a plate full of "WTF !@#$%6&!!"