Acquiring Arteb Brazil GMT400 headlight reflectors

[1998_K1500_Sub]

Update Aug 12, 2022:

The first headlight pair, shipped on Aug 8, arrived in Miami early today Aug 12 and awaits customs. That's probably the fastest transit time on record, so much so that I thought it worth posting it here. It may make the buyer's doorstep on Monday IMHO.

A second pair was shipped Aug 11 and is enroute to the next stop Salvador (and then Sao Paulo).

The next shipment on Carlos' schedule is a pair of Arteb taillights, then he's back to shipping headlights through the end of next week and later.

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

Update Aug 17, 2022: 9:38am

The first shipment was delivered this morning 9:13am, in Minnesota. It was posted at Jacobina on Aug 8.

Here's the timeline:

Aug 8, shipped from Jacobina

Aug 10 Arrived Sao Paulo 5:00am, awaiting inspection / customs.

Aug 11 Cleared Brazil customs 10:26am

Aug 12 Arrived Miami 9:55am

Aug 13 Cleared US customs 9:02am

Aug 14 Arrived Saint Paul, MN USPS facility 11:36pm

Aug 16 Arrived Mankato, MN USPS regional facility 8:49am

Aug 17 Arrived local PO of destination 6:20am

Aug 17 Delivered, 9:13am


We have some other shipments are enroute but this one's the first sent and the first delivered.

Its timeline is reasonably consistent with the dozen or so shipments we made earlier this year.

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

I have to go there anyway, so I can let you know what they think. If not, it’s fine. Just an idea I had.

Regarding shipping to a PO, I asked Carlos to follow-up on this but I haven't heard anything. I'll remind him.

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

Would it ship to a PO Box or would it add export duty?

Carlos spoke with the representative (Rita) at the shipping counter today in Jacobina, while sending some headlights to the US (Correios www.correios.com.br ).

I quote Carlos:

"Yes, Rita said we can ship to a US PO box."

So that's the story we're getting on our end.

@RedneckWithPaychecks, did you get any story from USPS? I looked over USPS' website and it appears one can certainly ship domestically a package to a PO box (e.g., from me to you). I didn't find anything saying one couldn't ship internationally to a PO box.

 

[RedneckWithPaychecks]

@RedneckWithPaychecks, did you get any story from USPS? I looked over USPS' website and it appears one can certainly ship domestically a package to a PO box (e.g., from me to you). I didn't find anything saying one couldn't ship internationally to a PO box.

They didn’t really answer the question. They said I can ship something internationally from the post office. I’m not sure if I can recieve it from a PO Box. I can ask it better tomorrow when I go.

 

[Brando_o]

I got my headlights on Wednesday and everything checks out great! I am extremely happy and grateful for @1998_K1500_Sub and his contact in Brazil, Carlos for hooking me up with them. I can't want to get them on my Blazer!

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

I got my headlights on Wednesday and everything checks out great! I am extremely happy and grateful for @1998_K1500_Sub and his contact in Brazil, Carlos for hooking me up with them. I can't want to get them on my Blazer!

Thanks man. Carlos aka @carlos_lightsbyarteb deserves a lot of credit, he's a very good person to work with.

Those do look good, even if I say so myself

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

I got my headlights on Wednesday

In the Arteb Users thread there are a number of good suggestions for new owners.

@962500HD posted about his 4-high mods:

Post in 'Arteb Brazil GMT400 headlight users thread'
https://www.gmt400.com/threads/arteb-brazil-gmt400-headlight-users-thread.56596/post-1239633


@Kustombuilt1911 posted about his use of UV protective film to prevent sun damage and physical (rock) damage:

Post in 'Arteb Brazil GMT400 headlight users thread'
https://www.gmt400.com/threads/arteb-brazil-gmt400-headlight-users-thread.56596/post-1240098


Wiring-up the “city lights” is discussed in a few posts:

Post in 'Arteb Brazil GMT400 headlight users thread'
https://www.gmt400.com/threads/arteb-brazil-gmt400-headlight-users-thread.56596/post-1240582

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

Update Aug 29, 2022: 8:53pm

Shipments are on-going.

The most recent delivery was this past Saturday; I followed-up today via email with the recipient to make sure everything arrived in order, but I haven't yet received a response.

All other shipments have arrived in fine condition I've been told. One buyer already posted pictures.

There are two shipments that Carlos will attempt to launch this week. Carlos intentionally does not ship daily. Spacing out the shipments is an attempt to stay under the radar of Brazil's Customs.

We still have a few pairs from our latest 12-pair purchase that are "available", un-allocated, but pending and new requests have consumed the lion's share.

Meanwhile, the exchange rate has trended in an unfavorable direction, so it remains to be seen whether we make another 12-pair purchase in the near future. If we bought 12 pairs at today's exchange rate, the selling price would be greater by around 10%, e.g., around $328/pr. As it is now, we locked-in the price of this last 12-pair purchase at $296/pr, so we're able to keep the price fixed... until they run out, anyway.

 

[bbroller]

i received mine the Saturday mentioned above. First impression was, judging by the size of the box, only one headlight had arrived. After the special delivery receipt was signed and the package opened, I found two headlights inside.
Admiring the ingenuity of the way things were situated, and that it would be pretty difficult to damage the contents, i had the feeling that the pack job was worth the price of admission.
i have had to do that sort of thing before and it's not as easy as you might think.
Package was also wrapped in paper, have not seen that in a while.

@carlos_lightsbyarteb if you happen to see this, nice job man, it is appreciated.
@1998_K1500_Sub kept me well informed along the way, thank you.

The lights look better in person.

Going in a 99 K2500 Suburban, have the city light plugs and headlight relays ready to go, will be nice to get the load off the headlight switch, and to get all 4 lights to come on with high beams on. Plan on using the 3 relay method.
Will try to get some pics up when done. Just have to do the work...
Thanks again guys, was a pleasant experience all around.