I'm sure this topic has been done to death, but I just wanted to add my bit.
So why is Astro gear SOOOO expensive in AU????
As an excersize I priced a Kendrick Dew Heater package. These prices were taken from a US on-line shop who I have dealt with for other items & they will sell to AU no problems.
1 x Premier Ctrl package (which includes extras)
1 x Controler holder for Tripod
1 x 2" EP heater
2 x 3" heaters
1 x 8" heater
I can purchase all of the above RETAIL from the US + Shipping Delivered to my house in Melbourne for AU$799.00 (using $0.80 as the exchange rate)
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I got the AU price from a well known on-line shop.
I was not able to price the exact same quantity of components in AU as they do not advertise all of them. BUT From AU;
1 x Premier Ctrl package (including extras)
1 x 2" EP heater
1 x 8" OTA heater
The above added up to AU$907.00 and this price DID NOT include delivery to my home in Melbourne.
AU$107 MORE without postage for 3 LESS items.
Go figure!!!!!!!!
You may note that in the US price I have not included 5% import duty or 10% GST. That's because any purchase from overseas which is less than AU$1000 does not attract these charges.
If over AU$1000 you will be required to pay these + AU$100 for Customs Clearance.
The Controler is advertised in AU at a retail price of AU$659. US advertise the exact same item RETAIL for AU$373 ($0.80 exchange rate)
That's RETAIL. So US are still making a profit on that. Granted AU's price includes GST, but that makes the actual price AU$600. Still AU$226 above the US retail price.
If AU buy in bulk then they pay 5% Duty on the commodity cost from the manufacturer. Not a lot in that. They will also pay around AU$110 or so for the Customs clearance, but that cost is for the entire shipement NOT each item. Regardless of whether your shipment is the size of a shoe box or a 40' container. If the commodity cost is over AU$1000 you will pay AU$110 for a clearance.
Shipping cost depends on volume. I'm pretty sure the AU seller would not buy by the container load, so I thinks it's safe to say LCL charges apply.
From the US, LCL (cost per cubic metre) charges are very roughly about AU$700 / M3.
How many dew systems can you fit into 1 x M3. I'd say quite a few, so the shipping cost would not be very much on a per item basis. Being conservative, maybe AU$15 per Dew system.
The current US retail price for the Premier Ctrl is US$299 So I would guess that they are probaly buying it from Kendrick for around US$200 give or take a bit. Using the $0.80 exchange, that's AU$250 purchase from Kendrick.
So for the Premier ctroler in AU;
Commodity purchase from Kendrick AU$250 (assumed)
Shipping AU$10 (assuming 70 units per cubic metre which I think is VERY conservative)
Import duty @ 5% of $250 = $12.50
=
$250 + $10 + $12.50= AU$272.5
+ GST @ 10%
= AU$299.75
This is obviously not exact as I am not privey to the AU sellers actual costs.
But I'll bet my lefty that it's pretty damn close.
I own & operate an import business so I am very familiar with importing costs listed above.
Even making the dealer cost of the controler AU$350 to allow for any wrong assumptions, that is still AU$309 profit for 1 individual item.
