Info on buying from overseas

[rmcpb (Rob)]

There seems to be a lot of knowledge out there on buying from overseas. Sometimes there are deals that seem too good to pass up but the thought of customs and tax, etc always puts me off.

Would those of you who have been through the process like to share some of your experiece with us on this subject please.

Thanx

[Striker (Tony)]

Rob,

I have bought heaps from overseas.....I have used 2 different retailers so far...these are:

http://www.optcorp.com/

http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php

Both retailers have been excellant to me but I do find Bob from Skies unlimited to be alot quicker regarding a response to prices and purchases and generaly as a contact by email.....BTW Bob is Astro_Guy on this forum.

Regarding Tax.....any puchase over $500AUD includding postage costs brings you tax payable of the GST...so 10% tax will have to be paid before the parcel is delivered.

Regarding Custom's......I will try to keep it simple.....if you use the goverment run postage system eg.....USPS = United States Postal service you are allowed a total of $1000 AUD includding postage costs to enter Australia without paying the $50 customs fees.....

If you use a Privately run postage couriers eg..UPS meaning United Postal Service the $1000 limit is reduced down to $250.

I use USPS if my parcel goes over the $250AUD
http://www.usps.com/

I use UPS if my parcel is under $250AUD
http://www.ups.com/

Just remember anything over the $500 does attract the GST no matter who you use and the $50 Customs fee varies depending who you use.

Hope this helps.....

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Try this link Rob. I think it was pretty well done to death here. Though I'm sure they missed a few.

http://www.iceinspace.com/forum/show...g+AND+overseas

Ok guys, I have been burnt here a couple of times. Striker is right regarding USPS. However the cutoff point before customs duty and GST is a total of $500AUD, which includes shipping etc. I actually got something that cost 520aussie bucks and got hit for customs duty and that was through USPS. So keep the total under 500 and you will not be hit. Regarding private postage etc, $250Aud is the cutoff before you incur the wrath of customs.

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Thankyou for the quick responses. They have really cleared up a bit in my head so now I feel I can consider deals from OS.

Thanx

[atalas]

Sorry to through a spanner in the works guys but I bought a EQ6tripod a month ago 0ff Astromart and had to pay GST on a 420.00au Shippment.

Louie

[Striker (Tony)]

Was that including postage Louie.....you have to combine postage with the cost of your purchase....as a total

You got ripped EXfso....but saying that it is possible even if you do send your item through USPS that once it is received here it can be transfered to Privately run courier meaning you may have to pay the custom fee of $50...but this is not common but can happen.....depends how busy our Aust post is.

I have bought 4 items costing between $500AUD and $1000AUD in the last 2 months....none of which I payed custom fees...only GST.

[Striker (Tony)]

here you go...it clearly states the difference.

Postal meaning Australia post...USPS

Non-Postal meaning privately run Couriers..UPS

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4368#1

[Striker (Tony)]

This is written on the Customs webpage...so nothing is guaranteed as you will see...you may pay a custom fee or maybe not.....depending if they use the informal or formal document......

As written.........

Although a formal Customs entry may be used, most imported goods, including gifts, valued at or below $1000 for those imported by post or $250 for those imported other than by post, can be cleared on an Informal Clearance Document. If the formal entry is used, a Customs processing charge would apply.

[atalas]

I stand corrected Tony the amount was 326.50 US ! shipped .

Louie

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

I got stung last week! I ordered a Nagler 13 and Radian 8 from OPT. I didn't know about the $500 limit. Had to pay $71 GST! I should have bought them separately and I would have been well under the limit
...live and learn!

[atalas]

Hi Wayne, yeah you could of done that but dont forget you pay postage twice.

Louie

[Striker (Tony)]

Yeah true Louie....with double the postage....you probably would have saved yourself about $30 Max.....

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Sorry to throw another spanner in the works guys

I have also bought a number of products from the USA and Canada. Remember to keep the value under $500 Aus including postage.

The range of products available out of Canada is possibly not quite as extensive as those from the USA but some products are cheaper from Canada than the USA because there is no inward duty on optical goods into Canada whereas there is into the USA.

Two Canadian dealers I have dealt with are Joe O'Neil at O'Neil Photo and Telescope and Kendricks

http://www.oneilphoto.on.ca/

http://www.kendrickastro.com/astro/index.html

Kendricks have a pretty good range including Pentax and Televue eyepieces.

CS-John B

[Striker (Tony)]

John...I have found the products from Canada to always be a few dollars more expensive then the USA.....

Just went through some televue products and some scopes and OTA's.....yes their around 5-10% more expensive from Canada but if you get a good product and service..whats a few dollars...

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Tony,

If you read my original post I said "their was no duty on goods imported into Canada but there was duty on goods imported into US". Televue is a US product hence not cheaper in Canada, in fact your paying to ship it from Televue to Canada so I would expect it to be dearer out of Canada.

Hence if you wish to buy something originating from Japan or Europe made by companies like :-

Takahashi
Vixen
Hoya
Pentax
Nikon
Zeiss
Leica

etc etc

Then try the prices out of Canada 1st.

Also eyepieces like Celestron Ultimas and UO orthos are sold out of Canada under the Antares brand name. These are the same eyepieces with a different sticker on the side, and a lot cheaper.

eg

Antares Elite = Celestron Ultima
Antares Orthoscopic = UO ortho

You save about 30 to 40% buying the Antares products and they are the same. All Antares products are made by reputable Japanese manufactures for the Antares brand name.

Cs-John B

[Striker (Tony)]

Kendricks have a pretty good range including Pentax and Televue eyepieces.

That sounds like a sales pitch to me....

John........Kendricks, Pentax, and Televue all mentioned in the same sentence...

Now to clarify.....all are more expensive from Canada then the USA!!!

Again.....I just went through the entire Pentax XW eyepiece range...and again they are 3 - 15% more expensive from canada then the US...

Takahashi.....was again 10% more expensive from Canada then the US.

I bought my Nikon action series 12 x 50 Bino's for $99USD....how much are they in Canada.?

Tried to find the Antares product but they had different names from even the Elite....

Maybe John can clarify where to get them...and how much

Celestron Ultima 18mm 1.25 eyepiece is $78USD from the US....how much are they as Antares and where from.

I'm not knocking you John...I just cant see the savings you have suggested.....show me in writing and I will be happy to purchase from Canada...everyone wants to save money.

BTW if anyone is intersted in 2" filters.....go to Photo Continental...they are selling all their Hoya and other brand 48mm filters for $6....some are actualy $2...I bought 12 filters on Friday...for $56..all 2"

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Tony,

Your missing my point entirely.

I am not saying everything is going to be cheaper, or everything from a given manufacturer will be cheaper. The point I am trying to get across is to check the prices from Canada before you jump in head 1st and order from the USA. It may end up cheaper from USA but check before you place an order.

Kendricks website is down at the moment so I can't show you any examples from there.

Antares Elite 5 element masuyama plossls:

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_euep.htm

I wish I knew about those filters, I just ordered some more from Madsens in Wollongong last week for $25 each fi.

CS-John B

[Striker (Tony)]

Point Taken John....


But it make's you wonder if their is no Inward duties on optical goods to Canada and their is to the US...why is Canada generaly more expensive for the same goods.....oh well...its their problem.

I will being sticking with the US until I see some price reduction from Canada.