Import Tax

[ERO54N]

Import Tax

Hello SAU Community, 

Has anyone bought anything >AU$1,000 from overseas? 

I've been advised that there are duties and tax involved. 

My rough understanding is that you will have to pay Custom's Duty between 5-10%.

Then you have to pay GST which is 10% of overall cost (inclusive of shipping and insurance). 

 

Example:

Item 1 JPY71,250 (@AU$1 : JPY75) ~ AU$950.00

+ $25.00 shipping and insurance

Total cost $975.00 landed. 

 

Item 2 JPY78,750 (@AU$1 : JPY75) ~ AU$1,050.00

+ $25.00 shipping

+ $105.00 Customs Duty

+ $107.50 GST

Total cost AU$1287.50 landed. 

 

The difference of AU$100.00 price tag may equate to AU$212.50 in excise. 

Another variable is that the application of additional fees are dependant on exchange rate. If our Dollar was particularly strong against the Yen that day then Item 2 could find itself below the AU$1000 threshold, making it exempt from Duties and Tax.

Has anyone had experience with this? Am I on the right track? 

I thought I would post this up to bring the issue to the attention of other forum members who may consider buying parts overseas. 

Not necessarily a bad thing but something to definitely consider when making a purchase. 

What are your opinions? 

Edited August 30, 2016 by ERO54N

[Gareth]

In my experience companies will often put a lower value on things so you don't have to pay, i brought a abs module for around 1200 and didn't have to pay anything extra. Also i have heard if you ship with some companies eg fed ex they will definitely change you while others eg EMS and SAL may not... I don't know if that's true but i always choose those two anyway.