Importing Gear

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Has anyone imported anything over $1000 dollars lately?
It used to be a straightforward process - they sent you some paper, you filled it out and paid them money. Then you picked up your gear.
Now it seems it all needs to be done on-line with 3 or 4 diffferent pages and they send it to you -sometime?
Any hints or tips helpful.
Particularly if anyone knows what classification "Telescope" comes under.
Ta!
Peter

[wasyoungonce]

Telescopes attract a 10% import tax into Aus. That is 10% of the item cost + 10% of the shipping/handling costs (oh I should have said this is really a GST charge)!

Most items are sent to Aus by UPS/DHL...what ever. These companies usually process all the import paperwork & charge you: import duty tax; and a customs a handling/processing fee.

They usually contact you when the item is in bond store & tell you to pay $xxx amount. They do not usually give you a breakdown of the frees & charges so you just suck it up. You eventually get a receipt from them outlining the costs.

If you use USPS, there is no "customs handling fee" etc....I believe...maybe someone else can correct me on this? With this you probably have to declare the goods yourself & fill out & send the forms....as you said.

So try to use USPS...but I don't know about package handling & insurance & tracking with USPS.

I assume you are intending to buy from US?

Customs import fees (http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4264.asp) really are a nightmare!

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Wasyoungonce,
Thanks, I'm already at the stage where my new Tak has landed and is awaiting clearance. I have budgeted for the GST, and annoying as it is, its still cheaper than getting one here, plus there is no waiting list.


My Tetelescope arrived (via USPS of course!) and I was sent clearance forms forms in the mail. I charged up my eftpos, and headed out to the Gateway Postal Depot as I had done on previous occasions with camera gear.

This is where the hassle sets in.
Apparently you can no longer just rock-up at the depot, fill out the forms, pay for and collect your stuff.
It all has to be done on-line (lower or no fees) or through a Customs agent. Customs House and Gateway PO are about 1/2 a klick apart now, nobody answers the phones 'cuz they're too busy and it takes about an hour for a return e-mail.
Staff at both places were very helpful, and they wanted to give me my scope, but couldn't get everything sorted in time for closing.

This system has only been in place for about a year and everyone that works there hates it I'm told.
Its much more time-consuming for them and mistakes get made all the time. Previously (a year or so ago), it was all under one roof, and the customs guys just handed the post office guys the clearance forms and away you went with your toys.

If anyone has recent experience in clearing stuff the "new" way, I'd be very grateful to know of any pitfalls to watch out for.

Peter

[DavidTrap]

I'm waiting on something to be shipped by UPS in the next month or so - I'll let you know how I go...

Thanks for the heads up.

DT

[wasyoungonce]

It must be their "new government computer system"...designed to streamline the process for all...

Looks like the system works well!:mad2:

Mine was with UPS...GST was $369.5; another charge was $55.2 for something or other (probably UPS customs processing fee) & some other security fee of $9.95.

Meh...mine was 120lbs of goods so I was happy for UPS to do it & deliver it to my door.:lol:.

Enjoy the Tak!:thumbsup:

[stephenb]

Interesting! Can someone clarify the USPS query? So If I bring in an item over AUD$1000 via USPS would that attract any customs fees?

What if the item is being returned to you after being repaired in the USA? Does that still attract the import tax?

[Bassnut]

UPS, DHL, UPS, Fedex all do door to door, no fuss, and the $55 odd tailgate fee etc is standard, they all do it. A tricky one to watch is, if you import from the US (california anyway, eg OPT) you should get a discount for the state tax on exports off the listed price, you might not unless you ask. The old way of collecting yrself from customs just creates drama, door to door rocks, so convienient.

[tlgerdes]

Like most things with the current federal government, heart in the right place, head on a different planet.:lol::lol: 8/10 for ideas, 1/10 for getting them working.:screwy::screwy:

[stephenb]

I'm about to order something from the US ($1500). I have the option of UPS (courier) or USPS (post). Both about the same cost. Would I have to pay import tax on either or both?

[floyd_2]

I have always found that if I ship something from O/S to work, customs is VERY interested in it. If I ship it to home, it gets through customs in about 1 minute.

I remember once that I had a faulty (non telescope) item sent to work from Amazon years ago, and customs nailed me for it. Then the replacement arrived from Amazon...customs nailed me AGAIN regardless of the fact that it was a replacement.

Dean

[gary]

Hi Trevor,

Just a correction ... the Australian Customs electronic documentation system which
is known as ICS (Integrated Cargo System) has been in operation now for many
years. Certainly it was phased-in for first exports and then later imports in the 2004-2006
period.

This changeover took place during the previous Howard Government.

Some readers may recollect the ICS software gained a lot of press at the time for
its late running scheduled delivery time and its AU$250 million price tag.
Some may also recollect the widely reported furore just before Christmas 2005 when
some importers were running up against technical issues with ICS.
See http://www.aircargo-ap.com.au/ac/leadstory.pdf
See http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Customs-blames-users-in-IT-debacle/0,130061791,139218206,00.htm

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Gary,
Its not the actual ICS system that's causing me aggro its the fact that now the two, previously harmonious departments are now split and are no longer able to offer "one-stop" shopping. If you are/were importing one-off's or low quantities, even on a semi-regular basis, you got to know the people there and things went much more smoothly. If you bought them sufficient cakes or pies, they'd even fill out your forms for you (Or so I'm told. I think that would ne against regs so I couldn't comment).

Dean:
They really shouldn't have nailed you. If the $$$ is worth it you might appeal. I don't know specific Customs Act clauses, but the same thing almost happened to me. Then an a real live person sorted it while I had a coffee. :)

A lot of people (especially Yanks!) confuse USPS, the United States Postal Service, with UPS, United( Universal?) Parcel Service.
The latter is a private courier. Stuff sent vis USPS doesn't attract the various "clearance" fees that courier firms charge and can be delivered to your door by your postie.
Apparently national postal offices around the world pay each other off by weight of different classes of mail (not germane, I know ,but interesting).

GLS,
Anything (unless specifically exempt) over $1000 attracts GST, though duties do vary, You should not have to pay either import duties or GST on an item you, imported, sent abroad, then re-imported (though if they were REALLY troublesome, they could charge you GST on the value of the work done abroad!

I have had no joy at all from private couriers. We live in an "out of service area"(????). My trials and tribulations are detailed in the thread: "FedEx is Rubbish!".
Basically, if you live in a metropolitan area, or a larger country town (Ballarat, Albury etc.), You should get your stuff OK.
If you live off the main truck routes, you're gonna wait a while!

Later tonight, I shall sit down and try this on-line system. Wish me luck!
Peter

[stephenb]

Thanks Peter,

I have two options USPS and UPS.

If I choose USPS, the sender will ship to my postpox at my local Aust. Post distribution centre. At what point do I pay for the 10%? Do I get a bill in the mail?

The same question goes for the UPS delivery. When it arrives at my doorstep, when do I pay for the 10%?

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Alas.
In both instances,you have to pay BEFORE it gets sent to you (this is where I am at the moment).
UPS might well allow you to pay on delivery, but generally they prefer you pay by Credit Card, DD or bank transfer.

To summarise the advantages / disadvanteges of both methods (as I see them ahyway):

USPS / Auspost:
-Cheaper up front and no or low clearance charges.
-Direct to your door (I'm told) no matter where you live (Not so important if you are in a city, but necessary if you live out of town).
-No out of area or fuel surcharges
-Pretty helpful in my experience and there's POs everywhere.

Cons:
-Slower than couriers for city - dwellers.
-You must do your own clearance 'e-paper' or hire a customs agent to do it for you (about $50-$150 depending).
-Handling not always tender and loving.
-A maximum size / weight usually applies (typically 20-30kg and about 1 metre long by about 150 x 150mm)


UPS/TNT/DHL etc.
Pros:
-Normally quicker than Auspost (again, only if you live in a 'delivery area').
-Door-to-door service (but see above!)
-They handle all the paperwork, sort out any hassles and are pretty good at it.
- Insurance trail. If your item is damaged its a good bet they are responsible.

Cons:
-Expensive. Usually 20-30% more than post office.
-Delivery areas (have I mentioned those?) are pretty much confined to cities with Airports or major truck routes.
-Subcontractors handle out of area deliveries. In my experience they are pretty slack and unhelpful and their Idea of "Attempted to Deliver" is shouting from the road.
- Fees. These can range from reasonable to pretty damn high. FX once tried to charge me $380 for clearing a camera lens because the purchase value and insurance value were different. The extra work apparently involved filling in an second screen.

To summarise:
If you do a lot of importing and / or live in a City, I would say the advantage to using a courier is clear, provided cost isn't a major issue.

If you only import two or three items a year or live outside a city, I would reccommend the Post Office. For non-taxable (<$1000) items, I would always use them.

I will give an "ease of paperwork" update tomorrow! :D

[stephenb]

Rang UPS today. I assume this is the same for all international courier companies.

If the item attracts the 10% GST, then they hold the item at their depot once it arrives in the country. They call you and you pay the GST over the phone. Then you have the option of picking up or having it delivered.

The following is for general information of members...

Also rang Customs. If the item is returning from overseas after being repaired, you must:

- have the sender clearly state on the item "Return goods to Australia"
- provide to Customs when requested, the original proof of purchase (to prove the item has not just been purchased), and all correspondance (emails etc.) between you and the repairer.

You will attract 10% GST charge on the total cost of repair and 10% on the shipping. So if you sent a scope for repair and the repair bill was AUD$200 and AUD$100 return shipping, you will pay AUD$30 GST.


I hope this helps someone.

[Louwai]

Only 1 little change Peter,
The max weight is 20kg for Aus Post.

The Workplace Health & Safety Regulations in Australia specifiy that a MALE worker is not allowed to lift an item greater than 20kg at their place of work.

15kg for women.

Most of us have or would lift more than that at work, & some will possibly scoff at it.
But if you hurt yourself lifting at work, & the weight was more than 20kg, it's very possible that WorkCover will wipe you.

B

[stephenb]

Hence why GP cement come only in 20kg bags now, not 30kg.

[mithrandir]

Liquid pool chlorine is now in 15 litre bottles for the same reason.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

People send Cement through the post????!!!

Oh, OK. Got it. Sorry I was genuinely confused there for a minute, thinking "Who the **** would send a bag of concrete through the mail?"
:lol::lol:
Its been a long day!.

Anyway. So far the usually reliable Post Office has sent me incomplete formage. Customs helpfully chimed in with the missing stuff in PDF over the interweb.
In addition to your Post Office 'V' form that states the value of the goods, delivery date and where they are, you get another form telling you how to fill out the forms you DON'T have and a schedule of tarrifs that applies to everything except telescopes.

FYI: Refractor Telescopes, Astronomy, for the use of., are:
Section 18. Ch 90/7 Reference No.9005800, Statistical code: 54
They are "0" rated for duty, but still attract GST of course.

What I do now apparently is print & fill out the forms then fax or post them back to the number provided. One of these forms registers you on the ICS, and if nothing else, means the whole exercise should go smoother next time.
Once the forms are delivered to them, Customs issue an invoice by post and email, which you can pay on-line or by post, and they send your gear on.

Apparently this sytem was bought in to stop people like me rocking-up with cakes and pies to bribe officials into filling out their forms.
Well. Fair enough I suppose. Thats a reason I can actually accept as reasonable. :D

Tomorrow should be payday, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Peter

[stephenb]

Peter,

I am just about at the end of a very successful process of importing an item worth over AUD$1000.

As I mentioned in the thread earlier, I had the option of USPS/Aust. Post or UPS.

USPS/AP method was $110 and approx 2 weeks delivery. When the item arrived in Australia I would be sent an invoice with the applicable GST and I was to pay this at a post office. Then the item would be delivered.

I chose UPS. The shipping was $120 and estimated 8 days delivery (which has been revised to 5 days). I have been able to track every location via the internet. I was even able to track the Lat/Long of the aircraft across from Honolulu to Sydney in 15 minute intervals.

Whilst it was somewhere over the Pacific, I received a call from UPS advising me of the GST cost, and I paid over the phone. I then had the option to have the item delivered to my home adderss or held at the Melbourne depot (Ascot Vale Rd, Flemington).

So far chosing UPS has been seemless and trouble free. This is the first time I have used a courier company instead of the postal service, to import a large and expensive item into the country. I will use them again without even considering the postal service.

I know Flemington is a bit of a hike for regional Victorians, but it sure does alleviate the issue of international courier companies getting lost in the bush.

(And no I did not import a 20kg bag of cement :lol: )

[Bassnut]

Yes, this feature is a killer. To the point where (with Fedex anyway) you can directly type the AWB tracking number (just the number) into google, and up pops your tracking info, amazing, must have an arrangement with google or something for that to happen in real time :thumbsup:.

[stephenb]

Although UPS does not show the Google Map like FedEx, once I knew which airport the parcel was departing from, I quickly did a search for all UPS flights out of that port and quick found the flight number (UPS34). With that info I went to http://flightaware.com and tracked it that way. Amazing data! Who would of thought this was possible to the average Joe 10 or 20 years ago?

[Bassnut]

Yes, we bang on about poor service, but when the yanks try hard, they certainly get it right, tech wise anyway. Joe 10-20yrs ago would cross his fingers and wait for weeks.