Customs and import charges help please.

Starkler (Geoff) · #1 09-09-2006, 12:26 PM

please!

I'm tossing around various options for the aquisition of a medium size truss dob at the moment, and wanting to know a bit more about what it costs to import items from the US as I need to be able to compare apples with apples in costing this out.

I know that items under $1000AUS inclusive of postage can be had free of customs duties etc, but what if it cost $2000US, 3000US ?

The customs web site was of no help. I couldnt find any table of applicable charges

So, if you have bought any expensive items from OS, I would be keen to know what it really cost you to get it here.

Thanks

P.S. There is already a thread about my truss dob quest here

janoskiss (Steve H) · #2 09-09-2006, 12:50 PM

I believe it goes sg like +5% customs duty on the goods, and then +10% GST on the total (including shipping costs etc as well as the 5% customs duty). I only ever bought one item costing over $1000 and about 15% of the total is what I ended up paying.

Striker (Tony) · #3 09-09-2006, 01:02 PM

Geoff,

Steve is about right...all I say is make sure you dont get it sent via USPS....make sure its sent via private courier like UPS or fedex...otherwise you will have a heap of forms to fill out asking information that you probably dont know....private couriers do the customs forms for you....you pay a few more dollars for the service but it's money well spent..trust me.

I made the mistake with my cooled modded camera just recently...this is the process I went through using goverment run post.

Item arrived in Brisbane awaiting clearance.
received a letter 5 days later requiring me to fill out all these forms includding codes for the type of Tax I need to pay on the type of item sent......there is literaly thousands of codes.
Fax or take the forms into a custom office...wait another 5 days for them to ring you to tell you what amount they are debited your credit card.
Then release the parcel to Aust post...then delivered 2 days later.

Virtualy 10 days later then it would have taken if I used a private courier...not worth all the BS...use a Private courier and get them to do all the running around.

Starkler (Geoff) · #4 09-09-2006, 01:20 PM

Thanks fellas

Quote:

private couriers do the customs forms for you....you pay a few more dollars for the service but it's money well spent..trust me.

Maybe they do the forms for you, but you pay through the nose for it on large heavy items.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 09-09-2006, 01:27 PM

That's true Geoff, but when I bought my G11 from OPT it passed through customs and delivered to my door without a drama. The extra expense was definitely worth it for not having to deal with customs bureaucracy

Striker (Tony) · #6 09-09-2006, 02:12 PM

I dont think the charge would be anymore then $50.

Considering the amount of frustration and time I spent chasing up and filling in forms...like I said it's money well spent...not to mention 1-2 weeks longer it will take to be delivered.

I will never do this again.

Starkler (Geoff) · #7 09-09-2006, 02:20 PM

Well to give you an example of what im talking about, to have a 14" truss dob delivered via courier the shipping quote was $850US. USPS wont do such a large item.
To have the kit version shipped via USPS minus mirror cost $220US. Lets assume its another $200US to ship the mirror. Are you saying you wouldnt do the paperwork to save $450US ?

Striker (Tony) · #8 09-09-2006, 03:00 PM

Definetly worth the savings Geoff...go for it and save $450

I have generaly found that items that in the thousands have actually cost more to ship via USPS then it does with UPS there is a small saving for item shipped via USPS under $1000..maybe save $20...the difference you have been quoted is extreme.

How much would the kit version be to send via UPS...it couldn't be much different then USPS....otherwise someone is ripping you off or miss quoting.

casstony · #9 09-09-2006, 04:01 PM

You may want to find someone other than UPS to ship your goods. Apparently they have recently started denying legitimate insurance claims. Read the bottom part of this page regarding insurance: http://www.arksky.org/supercharge.htm

Tony

matt · #10 09-09-2006, 04:19 PM

So... let's say I was thinking of buying a 10" LX200R from OPT in the US.

Right now, they're offering these at around $3600 US. That works out to about $4780 Oz... before you add shipping charges etc

By comparison, Bintel has them listed for $6150.

With all the import charges and duties, would it work out cheaper to buy OS or here?

snowyskiesau · #11 09-09-2006, 04:26 PM

As far as I'm aware, there is no import duty on telscopes or binoculars.

Nuri · #12 09-09-2006, 04:39 PM

What about used stuff? Does duty/gst apply on used equipment as well? (eg. Astromart stuff)

beren · #13 09-09-2006, 04:44 PM

Matt when I was looking to get a Meade giant field tripod for my LX the cost to freight it here to AU was around 500US {UPS}

Considering a complete LX200R would weigh some more the Bintel price looks okay{guess they probarly order in bulk to save freight costs} plus you would have no chance of OPT selling you a Meade scope unless you have a US address

Sorry Geoff for the distraction, good luck

snowyskiesau · #14 09-09-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuri

What about used stuff? Does duty/gst apply on used equipment as well? (eg. Astromart stuff)

Duty and GST are applied regardless of whether the imported item is new or used.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #15 09-09-2006, 05:10 PM

I had goods shipped via DHL. They took care of customs paperwork and the shipping cost was very reasonable and super fast. 2 days from Tokyo to my door in Melbourne for a fairly bulky item.

Gama · #16 10-09-2006, 09:33 PM

Here we go again with which way is cheapest...

For small items, its cheaper to import them yourself, as long as its under the threshold.
For Astronomical items, there is NO Duty, just the 10% GST, remember freight is also taxed..
For telescopes, thats another can of worms. Like i said so many times before, if its expensive, then your better off going for a nice trip to the U.S, buy the scope, then bring it back with you. Then just pay for the GST..
You get a nice holiday, plus still save a bundle.

BUT, buying from a dealer has the support of local people for warranty problems.
I bought a 14" RCX from Bintel, and so far they have supported the scope with some issues and these issues are pretty big.

Think of the added expense as an insurance policy on the scope.
Lastly, the cheapest method of transport is by sea. Takes about a month but is much cheaper.
Do not use Fed Ex or UPS as they will charge you for GST and handling even if its $80.00. Best method is to use USPS, as they just deliver to local Aus Post.

Oh by the way, i work for Aus Post at the Customs clearance Building near the airport. So like i said stick to USPS, EMS, as no added fees or handling charges.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #17 10-09-2006, 10:07 PM

Gama, if there is no Duty on Astronomical items, how is it I was charged duty when I had a G11 sent over from OPT last year?

Dennis · #18 11-09-2006, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Gama, if there is no Duty on Astronomical items, how is it I was charged duty when I had a G11 sent over from OPT last year?

Ditto - I have seen duty charges on stuff I have purchased too. Never been brave enough to take on Customs, to query their methods.

Cheers

Dennis

astropolak (Joe) · #19 11-09-2006, 09:50 AM

Hi
I have spoken to a freight forwarder about this.
The charge is around US$2.50 per kilogram. The forwarder has agents in US that organise the goods to be transported to Australia. Because of the agent in US one will not have a problem with shops not wanting to ship outside of US.
In any case I would recommend talking to a specialist (like cargoline.com.au for example) rather than letting the US shop organise the shipping...
The local agent also organises all the necesary paperwork for you...
You will still have to pay customs duty and GST.

Joe

Striker (Tony) · #20 11-09-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gama

Do not use Fed Ex or UPS as they will charge you for GST and handling even if its $80.00. Best method is to use USPS, as they just deliver to local Aus Post.

Oh boy Gama how wrong you are...and that's coming from someone in the postage business...I wish people would get their fact's right before making a statement for recomendation.

UPS and Fedex and any other private courier all come under the same GST and DUTY threshold as Aust Post or USPS in the states...this has been like this for 12 months(read the custom web page) where the previous limit used to be $250 for private couriers and $1000 for Aust post...there all on the same level now....they do not charge for custom fees and GST if under $1000 just like Aust Post.

Using UPS or AUST POST will make no difference in fees applied by Customs.

And I dont work for the aust post and I dont work near the airport..I just read the custom website and contacted UPS to find out the real charges and when their applied.
Under Import entry cost PDF. http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4368#1

So I decided to ring UPS myself to find out of any extra charges they add to the custom/GST and Duty fees applied by customs.
The answer is a $10 fee is applied because their doing all the ground work for you regarding custom declaration and paying GST, duty and custom fees for you.

That's it...$10 extra no matter the total cost or tax applied...best $10 you can spend.

In regards to your situation Geoff....the size of the item is your biggest problem.....I'm sure you will select what ever works for you..I just wanted to clear up the costs applied Aust post - Custom - Private courier.

So like I said.
I recommend using USPS/Aust Post for items under $1000 and for anything over use UPS or fedex.

Joe.....sounds like a good option.