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 U
SPS 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