Thread: GST on low value imported goods

Originally Posted by LRT

How does this effect overseas ordering of low value items from companies such as Bearmach or Paddock?

The ATO are not very clear on what it will entail. Does it mean we have to pay customs duty as well as 10% GST?

GST on low value imported goods | Australian Taxation Office

Amazon.com will also be blocking Australian buyers from purchasing from their international sites as of 1st July.

Amazon.com will stop shipping to Australia from July 1 | Business Insider

Hopefully those that think they are saving heaps by purchasing cheap inferior parts from such supplier`s that make warranty claims uneconomical will buy from some of our local dedicated vendor`s
Jumping for cover

Originally Posted by rangieman

Hopefully those that think they are saving heaps by purchasing cheap inferior parts from such supplier`s that make warranty claims uneconomical will buy from some of our local dedicated vendor`s
Jumping for cover

It's just a shame the local vendors don't stock or import the parts I require.

Much of the price difference between Australian retailers and private imports is the sheer greed of the Oz retailers. I can buy certain items made in Australia from US retailers and sent air mail far cheaper than the locals charge for them.

The way understand it is that the GST collection works exactly the same as it does for an Australian supplier. The seller is required to calculate and collect the GST and then pay it to the ATO. The buyer has no way to be charged GST under the existing system as this would require the buyers to be registered for GST with the ATO?

My main concern is that the offshore suppliers (Paddocks etc) will just say it is too hard to collect and pay GST for the OZ ATO, and refuse to sell any products into Australia....

I use a shipping service for items from the UK where the seller won't ship to Australia. Price differentials can be huge which means many big brands want to protect their Australian mark-ups e.g. you can buy 3-4 pairs of Levis in the US for the price of one pair here.

Some won't take Australian credit cards but fortunately I have active UK accounts which gets round that problem.

Australian prices are staggeringly high because of a lack of competition. Even foods grown here are cheaper in the UK because there are 5-6 large chains, not just two.

I presume if you used a UK shipping service you would have to pay the 18% VAT?

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

It's just a shame the local vendors don't stock or import the parts I require.

So you require different cheap inferior stuff
It still makes warranty claims financially uneconomical if needed

Originally Posted by rangieman

So you require different cheap inferior stuff
It still makes warranty claims financially uneconomical if needed

No. I need parts for 101s, old Mercs. and a myriad of other stuff only available from overseas suppliers.

For example, there is a new season of HHGG out on CD. Only available from the BBC because ABC on line aren't interested in importing it. I have no issues in paying the GST.

Another item is the radio play of "Star Wars" produced by NPR in America. I got a copy here in AUS from Minataur in Melbourne. $300 thank you. They couldn't get "The Empire Strikes Back" or "Return of the Jedi". I contacted NPR who put me on to the Australian publishers who weren't interested in importing it. NPR then put me onto the American publishers who said it would be expensive. Expensive, yeah right. They didn't know about the "Australian Tax" loaded on by our price gouging importers. AU$40 each I paid.

I've got lots of treasures not available in Australia. It's a world market place. Level playing field we're told.