Customs and import charges help please. - Page 2

Gama · #21 11-09-2006, 01:00 PM

I told you the facts, UPS Fed ex etc will charge you for duty and GST.
For ANYONE buying anything, just call 1300 363 263 (Customs Help Line).
Ask them for yourself what is duty on astronomical products e.g. Telescope, then tell them total cost including freight is under $1,000 AUS, they will tell you NO GST AND DUTY. But Call Fed Ex and the others, and thats different.

I also said UPS and the others WILL charge you for the amount because they are a business that makes money. USPS (United States Postal Service) and EMS go straight to Customs/Aus Post clerance centre.

Update :

I rung Fed ex, and they informed me they had recently changed there method of charging to the new "Structure", and are implementing the same method of charging as customs.
So they are now also not charging for the same conditions, unless of course it gets inspected.
Still have a stinking invoice here from Fed ex about a year ago for an item i bought from the U.S, and they charged me for the freeken GST and Duty..was only $285.00.
Go figure.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #22 11-09-2006, 01:17 PM

Under $1000 - no duty, over $1000 - duty applies. Yes?

Gama · #23 11-09-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Gama, if there is no Duty on Astronomical items, how is it I was charged duty when I had a G11 sent over from OPT last year?

Check now, i also was stung for duty and GST by Fed ex, but they are now following Customs pricing and standards.

Plus of course it also depends what you nominated the item as.
i always astronomical, as it used to be Duty free, and should still be......

Striker (Tony) · #24 11-09-2006, 01:22 PM

I have edited my Post as Gama has edited his....

Hope we have cleared this up now.

Gama · #25 11-09-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Under $1000 - no duty, over $1000 - duty applies. Yes?

Yes thats right, unless the item is DUTY free.

remember incude your freight in the calculations for GST.

Gama · #26 11-09-2006, 01:27 PM

Read my Update Striker..

Things change over a year..

They say they dont charge now, so i hope they stick to it..so your right with that.

Quote" BTW it's Stiker not Stricker. "

Its a typo, just like you did on your own nickname..

Gama · #27 11-09-2006, 01:36 PM

I used to buy and trade electronic test equipment from the U.S, and every time it came via fed ex or UPS, i would get stung with the GST. Everytime, and i still have the import papers. Been about a year now since i brought anything in, so things have gone for the better now, just hope it stays with us. Which is why i said they charge earlier..

I'll Post and invoice from Fed ex tonight with the charges they charged me for (GST).. Again, this was from about year or so ago.

Starkler (Geoff) · #28 11-09-2006, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the input fellas, but I have decided I wont be importing a large scope after all and getting it locally made instead.

Quote:

BTW it's Stiker not Stricker.

Now Tony if you are going to correct someones spelling.......

Striker (Tony) · #29 11-09-2006, 02:22 PM

Correct Gama,

no need to post a invoice that's over 12 monhts old that was under the old custom laws.

12 months ago it was different story.

Now there all on the same playing field.

Haha Geoff.....just a bit of frustration coming out...lol

norm · #30 11-09-2006, 09:26 PM

Man,

I'm not sure if anything got clarified here! But it was interesting to read neverless !

One thing I would do is ring up Fed Ex, then UPS, Customs, jot down the information. Wait a few hours or a few days then ring back asking the same question. I could almost assure you that you will be told a different story.
Even then, I would allow for a $500 variance or worst case scenario on top of everything else you pay, that way you won't get a rude shock later on.

Quote:

So... let's say I was thinking of buying a 10" LX200R from OPT in the US.

Right now, they're offering these at around $3600 US. That works out to about $4780 Oz... before you add shipping charges etc

By comparison, Bintel has them listed for $6150.

With all the import charges and duties, would it work out cheaper to buy OS or here?

I could be wrong, lets say $4780 + ~$800AU (shipping) + 15% (GST & S/Duty)
That would total about $6300AU.

netwolf · #31 12-09-2006, 10:42 AM

As per this site.
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376
Duty is applicable on items over 1000$ as per Customs Tarrif Act.

As per Customs Tarif Act (do search on page linked for Telescopes).
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/c...8285/sch1.html
Astronomical Instruments (non radio astronomy) are free of Duty.

Above is also available here
http://www.customs.gov.au/SITE/page.cfm?u=4273
Under "Chapter 90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof"

Sub section "Goods (9001 to 9021.10.20)"
see linked pdf http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/re...ff/ht90aw1.pdf
Loof in pdf page 3 for 9005 this is the section pertaining to Astronomical Instruments.

Hence the Calculation should only be

Price + Shiping&insurance + 10% GST.

Regards

dolsonlelan (Lelan) · #32 21-06-2020, 07:02 PM

Please mind that there are regulations when importing to Australia. I suggest you go check out ACC customs broker in Melbourne. They assist both public and private sectors including importers and exporters. You'll need to consider the documentation needed for an import, the timeframes needed to receive permits. A licensed customs broker will help you ensure that your shipment meets the legal requirements and that the import of your goods goes smoothly.