Has anyone used DAZMAC and Oceans LA recently?

066FRD · October 04, 2021, 11:12:40 AM

Hey everyone, this will be my first post here.

I have found and committed to a 1966 Coupe in Arizona and I am currently in the process of sorting out the fine art of importing her to beautiful Brisbane.

I messaged a member on here about their use of Dazmac and have yet to see a reply... but that is okay.

Has anyone here used either of these companies? DAZMAC is the Australian end and they use Oceans LA in US.

I have seen the horror reviews on FB etc of personal items being stolen during freight interstate etc.
The car will only have some minor parts in the boot (suspension items) and zero personal items.

And I have read the threads of using other companies on here and the damage (the swinging brake taking out a windscreen wtf....and the oil and fuel spill in the interior...also wtf)

I will be requesting a container as I don't want RO/RO at all. But the above obviously shows not even they can be deemed "safe".

Again, g'day, and thanks for any info you legends can give. The anxiety is doing my head in.

066FRD · October 04, 2021, 11:16:13 AM

I forgot to mention besides the importer I am doing this alone...
ROVER still has not verified my account yet so my import application is still pending.
I can't and also do not want to pay the invoice to begin shipping until the application is approved...obviously.

The US seller has been great in regards to Title, accepting payment from the import company etc.

I'll keep everyone updated as it goes alone.

pgold · October 04, 2021, 05:13:46 PM

Welcome to the forum 066FRD. I also live in Moggill you may have seen my Gulfstream aqua 69 sportsroof at Colleges Crossing Cars Bikes and Coffee? I should be there next Sunday morning.

gbader · October 05, 2021, 10:36:49 AM

I used these guys - https://www.facebook.com/americawest66/ - my car shared a container with a nice Pantera (know a few that have used them - they are WA based but pretty sure they do AU wide)

Check on items in the car (what's allowed), I had a couple of small boxes jammed in behind the seats but couldn't fill the boot (but they can also bring in separate parts/boxes with the car in the container)

cheers

066FRD · October 07, 2021, 03:12:23 PM

Quote from: pgold on October 04, 2021, 05:13:46 PM
Welcome to the forum 066FRD. I also live in Moggill you may have seen my Gulfstream aqua 69 sportsroof at Colleges Crossing Cars Bikes and Coffee? I should be there next Sunday morning.

Hi pgold, thanks for the reply and the welcome.
I don't think I've seen yours but i will definitely be keeping an eye out now, sounds like a beautiful car.
I will try and attend at Colleges this Sunday and come say hey if I see your car.

Quote from: gbader on October 05, 2021, 10:36:49 AM
I used these guys - https://www.facebook.com/americawest66/ - my car shared a container with a nice Pantera (know a few that have used them - they are WA based but pretty sure they do AU wide)

Check on items in the car (what's allowed), I had a couple of small boxes jammed in behind the seats but couldn't fill the boot (but they can also bring in separate parts/boxes with the car in the container)

cheers

Hey gbader thanks for the option, I have checked them out. I am fairly sure the rubber suspension items are fine but I will check that out. Thanks for the reply.

BAC · December 19, 2021, 09:24:10 AM

Probably a bit late for your needs, but I used DAZMAC a few months ago and they were fine.

In my case they partnered with TGAL for the US side of things and while slow to repsond to emails, etc. they were OK as well.

JackRussel · January 06, 2022, 12:27:40 AM

Quote from: gbader on October 05, 2021, 10:36:49 AM
I used these guys - https://www.facebook.com/americawest66 bp - my car shared a container with a nice Pantera (know a few that have used them - they are WA based but pretty sure they do AU wide)

Check on items in the car (what's allowed), I had a couple of small boxes jammed in behind the seats but couldn't fill the boot (but they can also bring in separate parts/boxes with the car in the container)

cheers

Thanks

jksmiths · May 03, 2022, 08:48:22 PM

Hey,

I'm currently looking to buy and import from the US.

How did you go about this? I have also looked into DAZMAC and currently I am searching for the right vehicle to purchase.

Anything I need to look out for prior to purchase? I know I'll need the original title and also vin on the vehicle is a must have.

Is it possible to commit to purchase off a private seller and get an importer (either DAZMAC or someone else) to organise payment on my behalf on pick-up of the vehicle.

Is it advised to get the vehicle inspected somehow? If so how can this be done.

Sorry for all of the questions this is my first time!

BAC · May 04, 2022, 01:16:58 AM

Quote from: jksmiths on May 03, 2022, 08:48:22 PMHow did you go about this? I have also looked into DAZMAC and currently I am searching for the right vehicle to purchase.

Options range from one stop shop importers that will handle everything for you to just choosing a customs agent/broker and a shipping company and managing the rest yourself.

Quote from: jksmiths on May 03, 2022, 08:48:22 PMAnything I need to look out for prior to purchase? I know I'll need the original title and also vin on the vehicle is a must have.

Apart from making sure the car is as represented by the seller, you need to make sure the title is clean (no emcumberances or liens) with a VIN that matches the car and in the seller's name.
The seller must also be willing to sign a suitable sale document so you can prove ownership when you buy it.
It's also a good idea to get Australian import approval for the vehicle before handing over anything more than a small deposit.

Quote from: jksmiths on May 03, 2022, 08:48:22 PMIs it possible to commit to purchase off a private seller and get an importer (either DAZMAC or someone else) to organise payment on my behalf on pick-up of the vehicle.

A lot of importers don't offer payment services but some do. There are also escrow services you can use.
Unfortunately most US inland transport companies don't offer payment services so it may be difficult to synchronise payment with the arrival of the truck to pick up the vehicle.

Quote from: jksmiths on May 03, 2022, 08:48:22 PMIs it advised to get the vehicle inspected somehow? If so how can this be done.

Most definitely yes to make sure it's not a piece of rusty junk and also to confirm the bona fides of the seller.
There are many inspection companies in the US that will do this for you.

Dwayne · May 04, 2022, 08:00:47 AM

And ALWAYS confirm the payment details with a different method than main previous communication. I know of a guy that personally inspected a vehicle and then communicated via emails upon returning home. When it came time for payment, the hacker simply changed bank details to his own before releasing the email.

A simple confirmation phone call would have saved USD30k being lost to the hacker.

BAC · May 04, 2022, 11:30:32 AM

Quote from: 67FBGT on May 04, 2022, 10:42:08 AM
what do you save by buying out of the USA sight unseen? Far safer to buy a car already here IMO.

No doubt there are many ways for things to go pear shaped, but you have way more choice of colour/spec./etc. buying from the US and even in 2022 it's still cheaper than here.

Just need to make sure you go into it with your eyes wide open and take every precaution to minimise the risk.

jksmiths · May 04, 2022, 12:05:08 PM

Thanks all for your responses so far. Ive been talking to a guy in California about his Mustang and he has pointed me in the direction of West Coast Shipping who seem to be quite good and also have an Escrow service. https://www.wcshipping.com/

I'll definitely get an inspection done. One of the two Mustangs Im enquiring about at the moment is a restoration job but it will still be good to ensure there is no asbetos.

The reason why Ive started looking in US is I have been looking in Australia for 4 months and everything is overpriced and as mentioned it is hard to find the exact spec I am after.

Will start looking now at getting import approvals done myself - I was under the assumption the shipping company would handle this but if its needed before the purchase is complete I can sort out.

BAC · May 04, 2022, 12:14:34 PM

Quote from: jksmiths on May 04, 2022, 12:05:08 PMI'll definitely get an inspection done. One of the two Mustangs Im enquiring about at the moment is a restoration job but it will still be good to ensure there is no asbetos.

It's one thing to get the car checked for asbestos before shipping, but unless the company doing it is accredited by the ABF (Customs) they reserve the right to check it again at your expense once it arrives in Australia.
As far as I know, there are only a handful of testing labs in the US that are recognised here.

Quote from: jksmiths on May 04, 2022, 12:05:08 PMWill start looking now at getting import approvals done myself - I was under the assumption the shipping company would handle this but if its needed before the purchase is complete I can sort out.

Some Australian based shippers/customs agents will do this for you but they will add a fee for this service when it's really easy to do it yourself.

jksmiths · May 04, 2022, 12:36:58 PM

Looking through the stuff for the import approval its a little daunting. For the approval I assume Im going for the Older Vehicles category

"This criterion is not intended to cater for vehicle requiring significant restoration before being suitable for use on a public road (non-RAV entry import approvals should be used for this, until the vehicle is suitable for use) or vehicles that are new replicas of old vehicles, even when bearing the identification of the older vehicle."

Not sure how strict this one is. The ones Im looking at will be driveable so I assume I should be fine.

"If the vehicle has been significantly modified, the modifications were completed more than 25 years ago
For a car or light commercial vehicle, significant modifications include:
- body modifications
- chassis modifications
- modifications to the drivetrain
- braking modifications
- steering conversion. "

Im hoping the word 'significantly' is important here - most of the ones I have looked at have had something done to them... especially brakes.

BAC · May 04, 2022, 01:16:31 PM

Quote from: jksmiths on May 04, 2022, 12:36:58 PM
For a car or light commercial vehicle, significant modifications include:
- body modifications
- chassis modifications
- modifications to the drivetrain
- braking modifications
- steering conversion.

As long as the car is not obviously a resto-mod you will be fine. All they want is a few photos that show an original looking car in terms of bodywork.
They have no way of telling if the drivetrain, brakes, etc. have been modified, so as long as the chassis hasn't been tubbed or 20" rims with pizza plate brake rotors installed all is good.

jksmiths · May 04, 2022, 01:45:06 PM

Thanks for your help Brian!

jiffy · May 09, 2022, 12:25:54 PM

Quote from: BAC on May 04, 2022, 01:16:58 AM
Most definitely yes to make sure it's not a piece of rusty junk and also to confirm the bona fides of the seller.
There are many inspection companies in the US that will do this for you.

Make sure you use a specialist Mustang inspection service - there are plenty of "car inspection" companies, but unless they know what they're looking for and at - it's a gamble.