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
)