Buying from Cyclops Optics - GST?

[RugbyRene]

Hi all,

I'm looking at buying from Cyclops Optics as what I need is a good $200 cheaper than local prices.

Has anyone bought from them and have you been charged GST or any other taxes/fees? With the exchange rate it would come in under AUD1000.

Rene

[dikman]

Being under $1000 hasn't applied for a while now, courtesy of Harvey Norman who pressured the government to drop it and charge GST on anything from overseas. Whether you will actually be charged GST is hit or miss. The company selling you the goods is, according to the government, supposed to collect the GST and forward it to them.:rolleyes: As far as I know the only people doing this collecting overseas are ebay/paypal, Amazon and Aliexpress.

Sometimes the shipping company will do it but I know people who have ordered from the US and not been charged GST.

[gregbradley]

Yeah, what I have found is if you use say, US Post then GST is not collected. But if its Fedex then it will be charged.

I bought a ZWO camera from Cyclops and they were very good. They also have very nice adapters with the name of the adapter cut into the body.

Greg.

[AstroViking]

I bought a clip-in light pollution filter for my DSLR from them. To the best of my recollection, I was not charged GST.

With regards to Cyclops, a :thumbsup: to them for quick turnaround and rapid shipping.

[Nikolas]

I wasnt charged GST with items purchased from ZWO recently and First light Optics in the UK, if they don't collect GST then it seems it's fine I've never had an issue but that's my experience.

[Rainmaker]

Robin Lee at Cyclops was great to deal with when I bought some Miyauchi ED binoculars a while back, paid by PP, not charged any extras.

[Saturn488]

Exact same with me.

[Wilsil]

I bought my camera, filterwheel, filters and PPBA from Robin.
Great to deal with.
Because it was a big amount, I had to pay GST but it was still cheaper.

[RugbyRene]

Thanks for all the responses. So, am I right in saying GST is charged on products at the source rather than later when it enters the country?

[Wilsil]

Don't think so, you have to pay the deliverer like DHL before it's being released.

[Sitt]

When goods exceed $1,000 you would be liable for import duties
https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/International-tax-for-business/GST-on-imported-goods-and-services/Australian-consumers-importing-goods-and-services/

[Nikolas]

Depends on the country imported from as we have some free trade agreements

[Dilsh]

I bought around 6k of stuff from them. Customer support is awesome but was hit with import charges.

That ate into savings. Also I wonder how warranty claims would go.

I think any future major pirchases I might buy local.

D

[dikman]

If you're buying something big/heavy/expensive the chances of avoiding import duties/customs charges/tax etc are virtually nil. I looked at importing an industrial sewing machine (head unit only) from China as prices were very good. By the time I'd added shipping/import duty/customs fees/GST/the various charges for trans-shipping here/brokerage etc there was no cost advantage. I ended up buying local at about the same price.

[TrevorW]

Watch for import duties etc when buying from CycloOptics last time I purchased cameras got hit for extra charges from DHL