GST on Imports

[cultana]

8167.0 - Selected Characteristics of Australian Business, 2008-09

"Proportion of total income from sales of goods or services attributable to orders received via the Internet or web during the year ended 30 June 2009. "

All fine but that is Australian business stats...

This has little perspective with respect to the argument of internet sales internationally. Also the argument is about retail sales, specifically you me buying from overseas.

As it is International sales that GH et al are wining about it seems strange that there are no precise figures to back their arguments.
All internet transactions (ebay seems excluded or too complex in many cases), within Australia made by people/businesses within Australia to Australian based businesses carry GST so what is this all about?

Seems Gh et al are crying foul about other Australian businesses that have a successful internet business model and they don't.

Their argument lacks fact, and basic %'s mean little.

[corbs]

I think the retailers would have more support for an enquiry into the cost of them importing products for sale in Australia. I can understand a small increase in price over products from overseas but often the difference is far too attractive to pass by.

I don't understand how a local company purchasing in bulk at wholesale prices can't compete with me purchasing individual items online at the point of origin's retail prices. The point of origin often has to deal with the same factors as the local (wages, rent...)

As others have indicated, GST isn't a factor on my purchasing from O/S. It's a significant saving of money and convenience of having access to a wider range of products. I prefer to support local but if local isn't competitive then the choice is simple.

Corbs