Importing from USA

Should have made it clear, I am only talking small purchases, say up to US$1000 max

Hi Mark,

I import goods from the USA a few times a year.

If the goods come in by airmail, they need to be cleared through customs, with import duty and GST being paid.

I have found that if the goods come in by sea mail, ( very slow, up to 3 months to get here) it does not tend to need to be cleared, and thus no import duty and GST.

If the goods are large items, and get shipped over, you will need to clear them using an import agent. This will cost you at least $ 495 to do a clearance and port charges. Some port charges are based on volume, with a minimum charge.

It all depends on what you are importing.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Anthony Taylor

4wd parts attract 5% duty + GST. if you have them posted you can do your own clearance and if under $400 (I think) they don't tend to bother charging you. I've got stuff coming at the moment and it's broken into a couple of shipments and being sent days apart to avoid paying $$$

I, like probably most others here, have simply ordered small items direct through the net.

So far, all has been good.

With software, and small peripherals, that are simply not available here in Aus, there doesn't seem to be any problem. Gets here in about 2 days on Fed Ex. You can track the package on the net.

Books and other welding publications have been also no problems, and again, get here real quick.

Clothing.....

I have bought small items, and they take forever to get here. The sender has to sign this declaration saying the material is all okay, and doesn't have germs, etc., and then it comes via boat, they won't ship via air.... don't know why.

All in all, I have been more than satisfied. I don't buy from the states to save money, because you won't. The credit card companies whack on a overseas transfer rate thing, then your postage, etc.

I buy, simply because I cannot obtain here.

I am not up to speed with all the taxes either..... if I have to pay, so be it, I just want the book, or product.

I guess if you are an importer, and reseller, it is different.

Wolfie

I've bought heaps of stuff on Ebay, direct from websites, by phone etc and have found that for small stuff good old US Airmail is the cheapest way, takes 4-5 days usually. Up to around ten pounds weight will set you back about $us40 for packing and postage.
Heavier stuff comes by surface mail (ship) and will take anything up to 8 weeks but usually around 5-6.
As long as you stay below $us200 customs never worry about duty.
If stuff is more expensive either send in smaller parcels or shock/horror talk to the supplier ;-)))
For payment you can go credit card direct, Paypal or bidpay, the latter two for ebay type stuff.

I have started buying through the net and there are some fairly simple rules.

Customs has a great web site with a section for us punters buying over the internet.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376

Grant

I actively import from the US on a monthly basis.

If coming by mail (USPS), there is a $1000 AUD threshold (the USD value is meaningless) before formal customs clearance is required. This usually requires the services of a customs broker, such as Danzas, who charge around $120, plus any GST, customs duty, and a ~$49 customs fee. Often you may just receive a GST bill from the post office if the value of the goods is between $500-$1000 AUD, and you just rock up to the post office to pay it and collect your package.

Sometimes Customs decides to charge you duty even if it's less than $1000 AUD (depending on how foul a mood the guy doing the processing is), in which case you can lodge an informal clearanace document via fax, and pay by credit card. This is a pain, but manageable.

If the goods come in by courier (eg DHL, UPS, Fedex), ther threshold is reduced to only $250 AUD, but the cost of the courier shipping *should* include the customs brokers fee, so only GST, customs duty and ~$49 customs fee is payable. You're gauranteed to be assessed this way, so if regular airmail is an option, and it's under $1000 AUD (not USD), airmail is the best way to go unless you realy need the stuff in less than a week.

Thanks to the Free Trade Agreement coming in place on Jan 1st, if the goods are manufactured in the US, you can skip the 5% or 10% customs duty, as long as the package is clearly marked "Goods manufactured in the USA" or words to that effect. Say you buy something made in Canada via the US, you're still liable for the duty. GST is still payable regardless of the FTA.

The USD value is converted into AUD value on the day it arrives in the country, Customs have a set of official exchange rates on their website that must be used. So at the moment the dollar is around 0.78 USD, so anything around $780 USD total (including the cost of shipping) is pretty much going to be slugged.

cheers

I ordered a new speedo from the states for my motorbike. It was shipped by US postal and landed here with a declaration on the box, the supplier had marked the item as a "GIFT" When I opened the box I had my speedo and a birthday card but no invoice. I emailed the supplier and he assured me the invoice was on it's way and the "gift" thing was to avoid duties and the like. Two days later the invoice arrived and all was well.

Hey Guys,

Thanks one and all for your advice and the benefit of your experience.

Best wishes to all,

Mark

I bought a truck air tank and a set of firestone Air Spring Helpers (poly airs) from the US, air freighted all in the one box and didn't pay a cent customs or GST.