Importing goods from Abroad-what you should Know!

[NCHERPS]

I thought that people might find this interesting, as I have been caught out somewhat, and thought it best to tell everyone in case they are thinking of importing good into Australia from abroad.

I purchased an item from the US for US$179(A$231) and the freight charge was US$57 (A$73.71).

I recieved my goods, then a few days later I recieved a letter from UPS who were my shipping company stating that they would like A$63.20 from me, which is what they paid Customs, this was a standard $52.25 customs charge and $10.95 security fee.

When I queried it, I was told that if you exceed the $250 limit for the goods and freight in total, even by one cent, then you will be charged the $63.20, that's a bit rough I reckon, I don't understand why they take the Freight charge into account :x !

Apparently the Customs service isn't funded by the goverment, but by charging these charges.

Rant over ! LOL!

Neil

 

[basketcase]

can i ask what you were importing neil?

hopefully i'll be importing some boaphile cages (www.boaphileplastics.com) soon... i guess the customs charges will apply too. is it a flat customs fee for everything 250?

 

[FAY]

Thanks for sharing that with us Neil, hidden costs that people should be aware of!

Fay

 

[Guest]

I purchase a lot from overseas its best to talk to customs or use a custom agent.
You can be caught to the point duties fees etc can be more than the orginal purchases particularly with DHL.

 

[NCHERPS]

can i ask what you were importing neil?

hopefully i'll be importing some boaphile cages (www.boaphileplastics.com) soon... i guess the customs charges will apply too. is it a flat customs fee for everything 250?

Hi Basket,
I was importing electronic's, but the charge applies across the board, and as far as I am aware is a flat rate, plus the standard GST on top for the cost of the goods of course.

Boaphileplastic's have some good products, expensive to freight in small Quanties I would imagine though, a coantainer full would be the way to go, I thought about trying to get a group of people together at one time to obtain a good price, but it went into the too hard basket(No Pun intended! LOL!).

The other thing people should know is that the Shipping agent, in my case UPS charge 1% per day for late payment of the fee after the due date, so leave it a few weeks and you have more expense! This coupled with the fact that the accounts dept are near impossible to get hold of to pay the fee, leaves me to suspect it is done deliberately to boost there income.

 

[CHEWY]

Hey Neil,
I'll look into it for you.

 

[Jonny]

WTF????? I've ordered heaps of things that was over $250 and wasnt charged squat.

I know that if you use a courier service, eg. DHL, Fedex they will make you pay import duties then charge you for acting on their behalf.

When I get things sent i do it by air parcel post (by USPS if from the US) and you don't get charged GST unless you exceed $500.

cheers

Jonny

 

[NCHERPS]

WTF????? I've ordered heaps of things that was over $250 and wasnt charged squat.

I know that if you use a courier service, eg. DHL, Fedex they will make you pay import duties then charge you for acting on their behalf.

When I get things sent i do it by air parcel post (by USPS if from the US) and you don't get charged GST unless you exceed $500.

cheers

Jonny

Hopefully Chewy might be able to get some answers for me, but that was what I was told by UPS today, and I have the Customs form that stated the charges etc..
It's just them taking into accout the freight charge that I couldn't understand. My goods also came by Air with an invoice attached to the front.

Have I just been unlucky then? or have you just been lucky Jonny? LOL!

 

[dobermanmick]

I have only ever had a problem using Fed-ex Usps you can go up to $1000 before you get hit .(what i was told last time i was asked .)
I would say Jonny is getting a bit extra to pay his own fuel bill lol

 

[CHEWY]

Well, customs wouldn't charge anything. If it was a commercial shipment over $250, it would have a formal entry, which yours isn't, and that isn't charged for, it's just to have on record. The only time customs would take any money is only for GST, and you all know who gets that.
The only customs charge I can think of is US customs.

 

[Retic]

I have bought countless stuff from the UK in the last couple of years and have never had to pay a cent in customs/duty etc. I get all my thermostats and ceramics from there, postage is usually around $12-15 for a thermostat sent 'small packet rate', obviously more for something heavier like a ceramic heater but still very worthwhile. I would NEVER get stuff sent via a courier as it's ridiculously expensive.

 

[NCHERPS]

Well, customs wouldn't charge anything. If it was a commercial shipment over $250, it would have a formal entry, which yours isn't, and that isn't charged for, it's just to have on record. The only time customs would take any money is only for GST, and you all know who gets that.
The only customs charge I can think of is US customs.

Thanks for finding that out Chewy, I will have to phone UPS up and have a little word in their shell like I think!

Cheers Neil

 

[spongebob]

Hi guys,
Yes I too get the occasional package sent over from the UK. The company I deal with also uses standard postage service and on the custom declaration call the the goods "aquatic goods" ( they are mostly aquatics with herp stuff also) and seem to always state a cost of around 10 pounds sterling ($25) even when its more like $250! Also when paying by credit card over the net they deduct the VAT (GST) as being sent out of the EEC. Never had a problem and gets here in around 5 days. Saves a heap on buying locally. Also electrical goods in USA are 110volts, while UK is 240v like here.
It's a pity that local suppliers inflate the costs of some many things that it makes all this worthwhile.

 

[Retic]

Yes it is sad but I wont buy any of my equipment here as it just works out too expensive. If the contents are put down as a gift customs rarely even look at them and like I say I have never had to pay anything when they get here.

 

[dobermanmick]

Where do you guys get your stuff from ?

 

[Retic]

I get it from various sources but often from Ebay believe it or not. A great source of bargains if you know what to look for. There are literally hundreds of reptile dealers in the UK and they are very competitive.

 

[spongebob]

Yes they are lot of stockists in the UK many with websites-try a search. if they don't clearly state about deducting the VAT (GST) ask them and as long as you are spending a reasonable amount they usually deduct it. I'm usually after the arcadia compact reptile lamps which are less than half local price at aquatics-online.co.uk. They are very popular in Europe yet don't seem to have caught on here. Maybe it's because of the price! I find then great for dragons of all sorts as they allow a degree of basking heat.