Warning, importing from OS over $1000

[roverv8]

Well, I needed a new head for the Discovery TD5.
Could of bought 1 in Melbourne for $2900 with head fitting kit.
Clever me bought 1 from the UK with head fitting kit for $2500 delivered to my door, then i found i was charged a $75 dollar currency conversion fee,
thats ok, im still in front.......
I get a ph call from DHL this arvo to tell me ive been sent an invoice, and it must be paid before the cylinder head is delivered..

Duty charges 110.76
GST on importation 260.18
Aus Gov charges 56.20
Payment deferment 22.00
Total 449.14
According to Australian customs, these are all legitimate charges on items over a $1000 bux.
Just thought i'd give a heads up on those who aren't aware like me, learnt the hard way:censored:

[sheerluck]

This has been discussed on here many times before I'm afraid.

A useful reminder for all though.

[DeeJay]

You also have to include the freight, so an item might be less than $1000, say $950, but if freight is $60.00 than you cop it.

[roverv8]

This has been discussed on here many times before I'm afraid.

A useful reminder for all though.

Sorry i missed that.....

just warning others for those who don't know, ive seen a few posts on here lately with others getting prices from OS...

[sheerluck]

You also have to include the freight, so an item might be less than $1000, say $950, but if freight is $60.00 than you cop it.

Not quite right DeeJay. The value of freight is only included if the value of the goods exceeds $1000, in the calculation of duty and GST.

See here http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ValueofImportedGoodsApril2011WEB.pdf

[Ausfree]

Yeah, I have bought camera gear from overseas, always made sure the individual items purchased did not exceed $1,000.:)

I did get an E-Mail from customs when purchased a camera body and lens. I had to E-Mail them my receipt to prove my purchase was under the limit. It was, the value was a shade over $650. I guess they saw a camera and though "aha" we better check on this.:)

[S3ute]

Hello from Brisbane.

Apart from those charges - the freight forwarder may also have a little known policy of charging storage for every day that the item is unclaimed after some notification of arrival (e.g. 48 hours). This charge can be pretty steep.

In this case, the seller-forwarders appear to have sorted out the duty and GST - but a note of caution for DIY shippers who are overseas and decide to ship parts home themselves. Customs won't accept private paperwork on self-shipped car parts and insist that duty and GST (even if exempt- below $1000) be assessed and certified by a recognised import clearance agent. This can add another $150-250 to the deal and the above mentioned storage fees can be ticking over while that is being sorted out.

Cheers,

[disco man]

What a ****ing joke,every ***** in this government needs to get their cut!!!! pack of assholes:mad:

[101RRS]

I must admit I would have thought anyone who watches/listens or reads the news would have been aware of this.

It has been on the media quite a bit over the past couple of years with retailers calling for the $1000 limit before GST etc kicks in to be dropped. Thankfully the Government has resisted these calls but probably only because it would be more expensive to implement than revenue raised.

Garry

[Islandnomad]

RoverV8,
Did you buy the head at Turners in the UK? Where can you buy them in Aus, they'd be another porous LR head wouldn't they?


Reason I ask is that I think I need one too.
regards
Nomad

[roverv8]

RoverV8,
Did you buy the head at Turners in the UK? Where can you buy them in Aus, they'd be another porous LR head wouldn't they?


Reason I ask is that I think I need one too.
regards
Nomad
yes purchesed from Turners (AMC)
AMC head in Melb too (Hoppers Heads)

[redrovertdi]

What a ****ing joke,every ***** in this government needs to get their cut!!!! pack of assholes:mad:


This has been happening long long befor this government!
When i needed a thermal imaging camera for work it was $10980.00 to buy in Australia, when i purchased it on a Saturday morning over the net from America it was at my front door the following Wednesday with Gst paid by credit card over the phone through DHL[or fed ex] for a total of just over $5500.00au, supporting local = getting screwed in this case.
Most items even after paying gst on import are still much cheaper.
I have to be competitive in my bussiness and im the same when it comes to spending my money

[incisor]

What a ****ing joke,every ***** in this government needs to get their cut!!!! pack of assholes:mad:

personally i think gst is the fairest tax of all...

you buy you pay

[roverv8]

I must admit I would have thought anyone who watches/listens or reads the news would have been aware of this.

Garry

Well, when i asked for cost delivered to Australia with my postcode,
I was quoted 155 GPB ($276 AUD) with DHL.
I figured that was the cost, import costs didn't enter my mind.... another $ 450 bux was a big shock
Live & learn

[AndyG]

This has been happening long long befor this government!
When i needed a thermal imaging camera for work it was $10980.00 to buy in Australia, when i purchased it on a Saturday morning over the net from America it was at my front door the following Wednesday with Gst paid by credit card over the phone through DHL[or fed ex] for a total of just over $5500.00au, supporting local = getting screwed in this case.
Most items even after paying gst on import are still much cheaper.
I have to be competitive in my bussiness and im the same when it comes to spending my money

Fair enough, but I imagine for the local agent, he has had an expensive setup cost for the sale of a few niche products. As long as your happy to go back to USA for warranty or service. A 100 % markup does seem over the top.

The logical extension is we can import labour for the best price we can get overseas.:wasntme:

[sheerluck]

......The logical extension is we can import labour for the best price we can get overseas.:wasntme:

We do. It's called 457 Visas. :p

[disco man]

personally i think gst is the fairest tax of all...

you buy you pay

Great way to encourage spending and keep the economy ticking over.

[101RRS]

Great way to encourage spending and keep the economy ticking over.

You pay less tax with the GST than you did under the old sales tax regime.

[disco man]

You pay less tax with the GST than you did under the old sales tax regime.

Fair enough,but where does it go?

[sheerluck]

Fair enough,but where does it go?

Just a guess, but I think it goes to the Government. ;)

[Ausfree]

I must admit I would have thought anyone who watches/listens or reads the news would have been aware of this.

It has been on the media quite a bit over the past couple of years with retailers calling for the $1000 limit before GST etc kicks in to be dropped. Thankfully the Government has resisted these calls but probably only because it would be more expensive to implement than revenue raised.

Garry
Yeah, Jerry Harvey being the biggest whinger!!!!

[101RRS]

Fair enough,but where does it go?

To the state governments - their primary source of funding.

It has been around for 15 or 16 years - so nothing new - your comments seem to indicate that you think the GST has just been introduced.

[slug_burner]

Yes even ebay sellers from o/s locations have the freight forwarders costs including import related duties as well as transport costs these days.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Just a guess, but I think it goes to the Government. ;)
It is then used to fund the lifestyle we take for granted and expect in this country.
It gives money to the unemployed, and gives them some money to keep them from sleeping on the street.
It funds the payment to unmarried mothers who have many children from many different fathers, instead of the guilty fathers paying for their off spring. It can fund tobacoo and alcohol habits of the unemployed.
It funds the hospital system we have without it it could be come like Americas health system, were unless you have insurance, go off and find somewhere to die quietly.
It helps fund the schools we send our children to, if we can't afford private schools. The Gst funds a lot of things whether they be good or they be bad. You can't have everything we cherish and to expect a genie to pop out of a magic lamp and grant it for nothing.
Before the 10% GST , sales tax was 12 -22%.

[101RRS]

It is then used to fund the lifestyle we take for granted and expect in this country.
It gives money to the unemployed, and gives them some money to keep them from sleeping on the street.
It funds the payment to unmarried mothers who have many children from many different fathers, instead of the guilty fathers paying for their off spring. It can fund tobacoo and alcohol habits of the unemployed.
It funds the hospital system we have without it it could be come like Americas health system, were unless you have insurance, go off and find somewhere to die quietly.
It helps fund the schools we send our children to, if we can't afford private schools. The Gst funds a lot of things whether they be good or they be bad. You can't have everything we cherish and to expect a genie to pop out of a magic lamp and grant it for nothing.
Before the 10% GST , sales tax was 12 -22%.

Your getting confused with income tax - GST goes back to the States. Does not pay for the dole, unmarried mums etc, doesn't fund the hospital system. Some might get to schools as they are directly funded by the states (a general statement).

garry

[joel0407]

Before the 10% GST , sales tax was 12 -22%.

I think this is the bit that most miss when they bag the GST. Sales tax has been around for a bloody long time. Basically all they did was change the name.

Happy Days

[100inch]

It is then used to fund the lifestyle we take for granted and expect in this country.
It gives money to the unemployed, and gives them some money to keep them from sleeping on the street.
It funds the payment to unmarried mothers who have many children from many different fathers, instead of the guilty fathers paying for their off spring. It can fund tobacoo and alcohol habits of the unemployed.
It funds the hospital system we have without it it could be come like Americas health system, were unless you have insurance, go off and find somewhere to die quietly.
It helps fund the schools we send our children to, if we can't afford private schools. The Gst funds a lot of things whether they be good or they be bad. You can't have everything we cherish and to expect a genie to pop out of a magic lamp and grant it for nothing.
Before the 10% GST , sales tax was 12 -22%.
...and it provides another way to reduce/chase money laundry and cash on hands business.

[disco man]

To the state governments - their primary source of funding.

It has been around for 15 or 16 years - so nothing new - your comments seem to indicate that you think the GST has just been introduced.

No i don't live under a rock as your implying,i come from NZ a GST country and remember the introduction of the GST into Australia along with all the bull**** promises of how much better off Australians were going to be.

I know it goes to the states i do understand how it works.When i asked "where does it go" in Far North Queensland, the roads are ****,Townsville hospital has major problems,Police numbers are way down,ambulance cut backs,Schools lack funding,mental health cutbacks,Prison overflowing,Townsville has the highest jobless in QLD,

The Newman government that has stuffed this state got HUGE payrises,the GST has done very little for the economy of Far North Queensland,yet we were promised a bright future.The rich have got richer very little has changed for anyone else up here. GST is a load of crap.

[disco man]

personally i think gst is the fairest tax of all...

you buy you pay

Not sure i follow fair to who?

[stallie]

The reduce tax evasion thing is a complete furphy.

I've lost count of the number of times tradies give me the option of two prices. One is 10% less than the other.

Yes, there was 20 odd % sales tax on some goods, but nothing on other things. It kind of balanced out.

I've no real issue with it, but it irks me when it's being sold as the perfect solution. Now who remembers if there's GST on a birthday cake…?

John Hewson - The GST Interview. - YouTube

[DiscoMick]

Yes, thanks for the reminder.
I see there was a study a while back into Gerry Harvey's call for the $1000 limit to be lower to either $200 or $500 I think from memory, but the study found it would cost the government more to apply the lower limit than it would collect in extra revenue, so that was quietly shelved.
No doubt some boffin in the tax collection field is trying to think up a way to get around that problem, probably by passing the collection costs onto the shipping companies or customers.

[workingonit]

I got stung on customs and DHL storage cost issues etc.

Look at history of money. We know where we are headed so why not jump for it.

Do away with cash - make it all card based.

All movements go through government computer for tax deduction before balance flows to recipient. This would cover overseas purchases.

One tax - no other tax state fed or otherwise.

Tax is soley on movement between entities, both business and personal.

Same flat rate of tax business and personal.

No more tax deductions.

No tax returns for business or personal.



The likes of Harvey's then have chance of being competative because they can drive better prices in bulk purchases from overseas.

Only customs inspection for goods likely to bring disease or drugs, otherwise no hold up on deliveries and no customs fees (covered by tax).

System guarantees on fraudulent transactions.

System provides real time aggregated economic data.

Confidentiality, not used for any other purpose other than tax collection and national accounts.

It would change the role of organisations like Tax and ABS, accounting firms etc. Probably no need for censuses and business/household collections (hundreds of millions of dollars saved)

[joel0407]

Just do a quick google search on DHL. I got sent a bill from them once. I did't pay and I refuse to use them again.

Happy Days.

[loanrangie]

As much as i dislike DHL, their charges are the norm for imports.
Most diesel engine parts are duty free which seems to be reflected in the amount of duty the OP was charged.

[joel0407]

Maybe they are right in this case but there is plenty of info on them charging when others don't. Mine was for some parcel inspection by customs as DHL claimed the description of the parcel was insufficient. It was a while ago now but the charges were over $120 for my parcel which was less then $20. They had already delivered my parcel and the bill was sent a few days later. It took a couple of phone calls to get it sorted.

Happy Days