mhaze,
Thumbs up for that one !

Individual said "Several months back I enquired for a Chinese made small Diesel engine which was advertised for $698 & when I asked as to how it would be dispatched to me I was told this would be via a courier at a cost $1420."

Answer-
I shouldn't be helping people trade with China but here you go-

I got a bit carried away with the research but I hope it's useful.
Search on ebay for "engine diesel".
Yes I was looking at small diesel recently too- for circular economy. The Royal Enfield Motorcycle Engine is diesel; "nitro" model engines run off oil; some Agri Pumps and Gensets are diesel. Recyclable Bio-Diesel- still not there yet- but interesting. These diesel engines are heavy so the postage is expensive- but maybe the cost is lower in volume- if someone was able to bring over a container load it might be economical.

20 ft container — $1,700 USD
40 ft container — $2,200 USD

http://seafreightglobal.com/rates-fcl-to-au.html
http://www.thecurrencyshop.com.au/business/how-to-import-china

For 30 motors the economics are better- the investment is about AUD$25K- and gets better with volume.

Units 30
Price Per Unit $698.00
Shipping Per Container 40' $2,200.00
Total $23,140.00
Min Retail Per Unit $771.33

This engines in Oz
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/144471275462?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item21a328b7c6:g:isAAAOSwuBhiOEMl&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAAA4Nm6GoIIFhl%2BPuaW%2FjPkpwIoSQACN0BXrs%2BIbIMgKwr7TeKdmctjcO9Prrrnc5m%2FIt1aTq%2BfcoeC3yScnC5QNGHyIy5dun3cQfBVtw7Ocx5UK09oKW%2F9ApsDcjCHO%2FKiD2k6M9p%2B3fx40jBVNZqOFXZ2H2ly10AtayHe7MDI8MxMywN8q0XNdbH2wXOpNLLiJt4f1ssNoTqEyuyTOznpgq8qhUXgxI6TRUYCqeQyqHoKyqG9cN6gXHrhjm33A02cxMiagqG0wJnOuCiB5yRWvDSsdnCbn4KiFz3hYkP6HV1A%7Ctkp%3ABFBMyvizrodg&frcectupt=true

Canem Malum,
Cheers for that. The prices I quoted were from within Australia. I ended up getting one from a Chinese Australian dealer for the same price with a freight charge of $80. The engine has been working flawlessly now fo over six months.
I think the difference was a dealer who wasn't out for ripping his customers off !

Well done Kudos Kid,

Another one of your indecipherable posts. What was that last bit, you quoting Arsethrottle as usual.

Paul1405,
I'm afraid, your prices are a rip-off !

Indy,

Great news, the Coalition's 'NO CASH CARD' for Old Farts, no more schooners, no more pokies! Life is bliss, or should that be beans. Bring on the Senior's National Service, can't wait.