Import Charges

[routermaniac]

Hello all,

Im tempted on ordering a low angle block from Lee Valley. What is the maximum amount that can been imported without having to start to worry about import taxes?

regards

Marios

[Daddles]

I've imported lots of modelling stuff over the years and have never been hit with anything ... apart from exchange rates refusing to do the right thing. I don't know how much your plane is but some of my orders were up around $500

Richard

[kiwigeo]

I regularly buy in tools and materials from USA with tool values up to $500 Aus and have never had any problems. I would say that if youre importing single items, the value of the item isnt excessive and the customs form has been filled out honestly by the exporter you shouldnt have too many problems.

I think theres a couple of people here on the forums involved in the importing game....theyd know more than me on the subject.

[Toggy]

According to the Customs website; they do not collect duties up to $50; even though they are technically due. The magic figure is $250 which includes freight costs. I think that there are different import duties for different articles as well as country of source. (Possibly something to do with this new free trade agreement)

Ken

[routermaniac]

thanks guys, just put the orderthrough for a LA block plan, cant wait!

[Daddles]

Oh hang on, they charge 200% on all hand tools

Just teasing
Richard

[gatiep]

Hello all,

Im tempted on ordering a low angle block from Lee Valley. What is the maximum amount that can been imported without having to start to worry about import taxes?

regards

Marios

I got some harp stuff like strings and tuning pins and if less than AUD 1000 including the postage, it would have been import/gst etc etc free. Because the postage pushed it over Aud 1000 it attracted import duty, ( $0 as it was an exempt catogory), gst on total and because it had 3 tuning handles with a total of 75 mm x 45mm x 15 mm American Cherry ( finished ) wood , it attracted Aud 78-50 Quarrantine charges. Worst it wasn't even quarrantined, but that was just the inspection and paperwork charges for the quarrantine department. The total cost payable was $385-00 but bear in mind that the items were duty free.
The moral of the story is, keep the parcel/invoice under $1000 australian including the postage. The postage is what caught me. So now a citizen that wanted to be honest will in future make sure that he dodges the customs charges with smaller invoices and gold handles.

[bitingmidge]

So now a citizen that wanted to be honest will in future make sure that he dodges the customs charges with smaller invoices and gold handles.

Joe,

As any good(?) tax accountant will tell you, there's nothing dishonest about exploiting a loophole obeying the law.

I've never been game to push the $1,000 limit, but quite regularly bring in stuff up to about $250US without question.

It seems to get treated differently by customs too. Those brushes that got tipped out of the Bessey order; I didn't have a problem in a small parcel clearly marked.

Cheers,

P

[Iain]

The sticker on the goods should show a declared value which doesn't include freight/postage, these are not a taxable item.
I have never had any goods showing postage from USA.
Customs have a book of tariffs which is available for your perusal, you can obtain codes and argue the tariffs on certain items.
They do however have certain arguments, this product is not made in Aus so therefore it should be exempt, but it c ould be so we will charge a tariff.
I always tore my hair out over that one.
Everything is open toi interpretation, and I always tried to n\make sure it was mine.
As stated before, Customs state that anything under $50 in duties etc will not be collected but I have often had parcels exceeding $200 tariff sail in free.
It's all about luck really.

[graemecarson]

Try this for an official explanation: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376. It might just add more confusion but it seems to be correct if my shipment from Rockler was anything to go by.

cheers,

[Sturdee]

As any good(?) tax accountant will tell you, there's nothing dishonest about exploiting a loophole obeying the law.

Not only good tax accountants will tell you that, it is required that every citizen should obey the law.

However the House of Lords law lords in a famous decision decided that it is every taxpayers right to so organise his affairs that the least amount of tax is payable. This case is binding on Australian courts so don't feel that you are rorting the system ( unlike most politicians ) you are doing what you are supposed to do.


Peter.

[bsrlee]

I believe it was actually Sir Garfiled Barwick of the Australian High Court who made this decision for the Australian tax payer - or at least that is what my tame tax bloke says.( and he hasn't paid a razoo in tax for 30-odd years)

Whether the ATO appealed it to the British High Court I don't know, as it was back in the days when, if you had the money, you could appeal to the Privy Council on just about anything.

[Sturdee]

Actually, it goes back to the famous Duke of Westminster ( I think it was him, haven't had to quote it to the ATO since I retired ) case in England in 1935 when the House of Lords law rulings were still binding on all their overseas dominions, including Australia.

This was well before Australia obtained it so called independance ( so called because we still have a foreigner as ruler :eek: ) and the High Court hadn't claimed the right to be our highest court and therefore those decisions, as Sir Garfield Barwick rightly agreed, were and still are binding on our courts.

Similar to the Magna Carta still being of legal force as well.


Peter.