[JJH]

Hi guys,

I'm seeking definitive informaton on importing parts from overseas. I tried a search but did not find specifics. I understand there is a AUD1,000 limit. Below that, all is good and nothing is due but above that, we are up for the charges.

Quite simply—

• What are the rates? (GST 10% afaik, applied to items only or total?)
• Does this $1K limit apply to the cost of the items only; or is it items+shipping together?
• How is import duty applied, if any?

I am looking at wheels; and tires also (in separate orders from different suppliers). Any info would be appreciated by me; and hopefully others on here in Oz.

Cheers,
Jon

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

1. 10% GST and 5% duty
2. Total cost (includes shipping)
3. I believe duty is applied first, the 5% that is, then the 10% GST on the final figure

This is also exclusive of any brokerage charges or additional fees your freight agent may charge.
I have been stung quite a few times, DB schenker being the worst.

[skidz]

IF the parts are under 1k ignoring freight then no tax.

IF the parts are over 1k then you pay tax on parts AND freight.

[eriktufa]

I believe it is $900 for items only.

[DR-JEKL]

They include the cost of freight also, so say your parts are $900 but the freight is $250 they will charge you GST & Duty on the subtotal price of $1150..

[eriktufa]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

They include the cost of freight also, so say your parts are $900 but the freight is $250 they will charge you GST & Duty on the subtotal price of $1150..

I beg to differ.

If total amount is $1500 with $500 worth of parts and $1000 for shipping, you will not pay tax.

[mrtanz]

I agree
If the total of the goods is over $1000 then you pay goods + shipping
But if the costs of the good is under $1000 but with shipping it is over $1000 then you are safe
Some people have gotten away with it but its the risk you take.
I bought Rims from VMR in US then tyres from TireRack all sent to same address in Sydney and it was fine.
The Rims was $1090 delivered and i wasnt charged any import tax

[JJH]

It seems it can be a bit of a lottery when costs are borderline. Sometimes things can get through unnoticed and therefore attract no charges. A mate just shipped in a pair of Schrick cams for his Merc which were over the limit and was charged nothing. Perhaps that was a case of the goods under $1,000 but with shipping took it over $1000.

Anyways, the wheels I am looking at are well over the $1K, so they will certainly be hit. The tyres are under the limit but over after shipping is added, so based on what you have said, those are likely to be OK. Even if they do get hit, they will come in way less than the best local price. Puzzling to me how they can be SO MUCH less expensive from the US (like half price) - bad news for the local retailers ...

For info, TireRack have told me of recent changes in the import process for tyres — anyone importing tyres from oversea may be subject to a $40 inspection fee by Australian customs.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by eriktufa

I beg to differ.

If total amount is $1500 with $500 worth of parts and $1000 for shipping, you will not pay tax.

I'm just going on prior experiences, it may depend on the customs official on the day?

[eriktufa]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

I'm just going on prior experiences, it may depend on the customs official on the day?

Sorry to hear that. My experience has always been good with "valuation" but they are trying to get you for everything nowadays so I won't be surprised if anything happens.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by eriktufa

I beg to differ.

If total amount is $1500 with $500 worth of parts and $1000 for shipping, you will not pay tax.

+1

[dolsonlelan]

Generally, all goods imported into Australia are liable for duties and taxes unless an exemption or concession applies. The import duty is based on 5% of the value of your goods converted to Australian dollars. To calculate the GST on imported goods, add the value of the goods in Australian dollars, plus freight, insurances and the import duty. Learn more here: ACC customs broker Fremantle

[Socket]

Originally Posted by dolsonlelan

I will start off by apologizing if this isn't the right location for this post. I tried to search for similar topics, but couldn't find anything for my specific question.

My friend an I need to ship worth exactly AUD$1055 and wondered if we do really need to pay tax more than that $55? This will just cost us more.

My experience is that its a bit of a lottery. I've been asked to pay before the goods would be released and delivered after arriving in Aust, but this has only happened a few times over the past couple of years

[ADEe92]

You have to pay GST on all imports now (the rules changed vs 2013 of the original post) - thing is if for low value purchases under $1k then the onus to collect the GST is on the company selling the goods so the larger ones will ask you to pay like eBay, Amazon etc. because they don't want to risk fines or the govt. banning them from exporting to Australia. Small companies often don't know anything about it so won't charge & they often slip through because of the high volume of small imports. This is why you now often see small companies in the USA or Germany etc. list Australia as somewhere they won't ship.

As soon as the purchase is over $1k, you have to pay GST / duty at the border, so customs will ask for it - note the GST is on the whole amount, not the $55.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by ADEe92

As soon as the purchase is over $1k, you have to pay GST / duty at the border, so customs will ask for it - note the GST is on the whole amount, not the $55.

In my experience for $1k+ purchases the transport Co will sms you, you pay the duty gst etc as its in transit. If it's not paid its held once it lands in australia by the transport Co it wont be released until its paid. (my experiences have been with Fed-Ex and DHL)