I see that people here have ordered parts internationally from places like Hong Kong. Just wondering if there are any stores I should visit to potentially pick up some aftermarket parts? If so, which ones?
Most of the parts sold from Hong Kong on eBay are actually by sellers from China. Also Prius is not a popular car in Hong Kong. You could try some auto accessories stores in Mong Kok, but I found the price not necessary cheaper than eBay...
Japanese parts imported to Hong Kong are likely to have high import tariffs. Chinese made stuff for the local market are more expensive in China and Hong Kong than in the United States due to the VAT revenue system. It would be different, if you're going to Japan. Japan's local market might be more expensive in Japan due to "consumption taxes. It has been nearly 30 years since I did Customs inspections, but as a returning US resident from abroad, you are entitled to a "personal duty exemption." Check out this document. http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/id_visa/kbyg/kbyg_regulations.ctt/kbyg_regulations.pdf I used to give them out to those departing on a trip overseas. Your best deals are had in the "duty free zone" stores, where the merchandise is NOT taxed for local consumption, and the goods are taken out of the country by departing travelers.
There is no VAT or any other kind of duty/sales tax in Hong Kong or to import from China. Beware of those "duty free" stores in Hong Kong, they are usually priced for tourists. Just because the rent in Hong Kong is so high, you can't find much selections in a retail store. Except those giant electronics chains, they are filled with mainland China tourists...
[quote p="mycnam, post: 1918084, member: 113668"]Most of the parts sold from Hong Kong on eBay are actually by sellers from China. Also Prius is not a popular car in Hong Kong. You could try some auto accessories stores in Mong Kok, but I found the price not necessary cheaper than eBay...[/quote] Really true that some items on ebay is slightly cheap than actual stores in hk that I went last summer. The only good thing buying in hk is some stores lets test out 12v accessories before leaving the store.
It's been about 12 years since I have been to Hong Kong. Unless things have changed, as others mentioned, you can generally find stuff cheaper in the U.S. The one thing that you may find, as others mentioned, is more variety of quirky universal car accessories. It may be fun to find and bring back some crazy air fresheners or something. If you are looking for Prius specific parts, my guess is that you would want to go to Tokyo instead.
Just look on eBay for Prius parts. They are more expensive in Japan. Shipping is a REAL killer, too. I went to Japan 30 years, ago. The price of a hamburger was $25 at the airport. Competition makes stuff cheaper in the US.