Customs - importing multiple packages

[casstony]

There aren't any extra fees if you stay under AU$1000, but if two separate packages are imported at the same time and add up to more than $1000 you get hit with extra fees. Anyone have any idea how far apart two packages would need to be to avoid the gst, etc?

[astronut]

Hi Tony,
Customs will only become suspicious if you have multiple del's from the same supplier.
From two different one's will still keep you below the radar.:thumbsup:

[casstony]

Thanks John. This would be 2 packages from one individual (not a dealer).
Is it a problem if they arrive say one or two weeks apart?

[astronut]

Tony,
I won't say there's no chance of getting caught up, but customs has thousands of parcels coming in each day, so I'd say the chance is pretty low.:thumbsup:

[mlcolbert]

...and there are inconsistencies.

Recently I received a lunar/planetary camera, valued $1,000+ this attracted gst. About two months ago, I received a telephoto lens, again $1,000 + from the U.S. but no gst added. Same for the Blad I received last year from Germany. What I have noticed is this, if the parcel is labelled as having the value largely in excess of $1,000 and it is delievered by FedEx or similar, then 'it seems' that Customs takes notice. If delivered by the equivalent Postal service, then....?

I just don't want to know about the delivery of the APQ 130 early in the new year!!:sadeyes:


michael

[citivolus]

Customs snagged my Megrez 90 even though it was listed as under $1000. I guess they were not convinced. I got it on eBay for $821 US. Fortunately they will be releasing it today.

Eric

[Louwai]

I've had stuff sent 3 days apart. Total value of both packages was AU$1700 The packages were not stopped & I didn't pay duty or GST.


Higher up in the replies I saw someone mention TNT or FEDEX etc.
Be aware that if you get packages brought in by courier companies they will charge you a customs clearance fee & import duty & GST, regardless of weather the item is under $1000 or not. Best way is by Registered express post.

[casstony]

Thanks for the info guys.

[mlcolbert]

Louwai,

good point amongst many, problem can be when the suppliers send the package fed ex etc for safe delivery. I think that's when we have to pay the price for insurance, more than ahything. There have been too many loses and damaged items through the postal system of either Australia or the U.S. for my liking.

I know that next year I'm paying for the packaging as well as the gst but I'm willing to accept it for safe delivery of an OTA which I value and is a life long aquisition. At least, that is my rationalisation.:))

michael

[Louwai]

Michael, I have accounts with TNT, DHL, FEDEX, Allied Express, TOLL Priority & a few others. I use these in conjuction with my Import - Export business for moving product samples around the world quickly.
If you are transporting a bullet proof (unbreakable) item, use TNT. They are the cheapest but also the most careless when it comes to freight handling. They quite litterally don't give a crap if your item is breakable or not.

If you are transporting crystal (or a telescope) use DHL. They are the most expensive, but also the most careful with packages.

Also, be aware that useing a courier company DOES NOT automatically insure your package. You still need to arrange seperate insurance if you require it. Just like you do with normal / registered post. The ONLY advantage of using a courier is the speed of the service which is what you pay for.

If you are buying a large OTA (C1400 or similar) I'd suggest standard LCL surface shipping with FRAGILE plastered all over it.
I use Deiterle Victory USA for all my container & LCL shipping. I can have it shipped on my account to your door if you like.
LCL from the US is about AU$500 / cubic meter but with weight & dimensions a definate quote is easy to get.

Bryan

[citivolus]

Thanks Louwai, I'm going to have to bookmark that post.

[PCH]

That's interesting, as when I bought my 400D from an online store, the item came from Hong Kong with an invoice for $100 USD and it appears not to have been questioned by Customs ! Clearly these stores do this all the time with undervalued invoices, so I'm not sure how they get away with it, as the Camera would stand out as being of significantly higher value - like 10X !

Interestingly, at the time the saving by buying from an online off-shore store was very significant. But as always, barely 6 weeks later, this camera is available from the Good Guys around the corner at the same price. Bah ! :screwy:

Cheers

[Louwai]

Something I forgot to mention about insurance.

For any insurance, (Courier or post) in the event of a claim needing to be lodged, the claim can only be initiated by the SENDER of the package. No matter how much you jump up & down, if the SENDER does not initiate it, there will be no claim lodged & no settlement reached.

If you are purchasing gear up to $1000 I strongly suggest you discuss the possibility of a claim & how it will be dealt with BEFORE you purchase the item.

[mlcolbert]

Bryan
thanks for the offer. For me, the situation is that recently I received the zeiss planetary/lunar camera from Germany. This came by FedEx and everything was ok. Except the surprise of gst, but hey. Next year is the APQ 130, it already has its own original timber packing case etc. This will be coming from the same source in Germany. I have yet to confirm insurance on the OTA. Re DHL I will also check that out, although all was ok with the 'small' box for the camera.

I will be looking into this around the end of January and will talk with you then (and obviously before on the forum) about your generous offer.

Thanks

michael

[citivolus]

Does timber casing require inspection, quarantine, and fumigation as other wood items do? When we moved here, we had to pay for that for all of our wooden items. I can't see the fumigation gasses (Methyl Bromide) doing much good for telescope optics.

http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/import/timber has more info.

Eric

[Louwai]

Regarding the timber packing.

As long as the timber is stamped with the correct info to say that it meets the AU fumigation requirements, there is no need for fumigation. I don't have the stamp info with me right now but can post it later.

You must make sure the timber has the correct & suitable stamp.
If it does not, the item will be seized by customs & held for fumigation, which you will be sent the bill for.
And you won't just be paying for the actual fumigation. It will also be the cost of labor of the Customs people per hr that they were dealing with your package, + storage fees for the period of time they have it until it is dispatched to you.

[mlcolbert]

you guys really know how to encourage a person don't you?:eyepop:

I haven't been too worried about that aspect as it is the same type of timber which passed through AQIS for the camera. Again, I will happily confirm this when the 130 is being sent.

the more info the better for this shipment!

michael

[Stephen65]

Interesting, I bought one in the same sale for US$877 which was a hair's breadth under A$1000 at the time (and deliberately so). Wonder if they will try and GST mine?
Stephen

[Louwai]

So many times I've heard people complain bitterly of the "hidden charges" when having received something from overseas.
It is pretty daunting (spelling ??) when you actually sit down & list out all of the requirements & the things to be aware of.
But, at least then you ARE aware of them all & you can take steps to minimise the impact at the $$$ end.

The most dfficult thing I've been asked to import into AU was a 1948 railway carriage from the UK for a collector here in Melbourne. Man, the hoops we had to jump through.

If you need any help or advice yell out. No problem.

Bryan
www.mdam-imports.com.au (http://www.mdam-imports.com.au)

[casstony]

Did customs ask you to supply proof of the purchase price before they'd release the scope?

[Louwai]

Keep in mind also that sometimes Customs will work on the actual advertised price or supposed value of an item, regardless of what the person actually paid for it.

For example, Below I noted the experience with the railway carriage. The railway carriage was actually GIVEN to the guy in AU. All he had to do was get it from where it rested in the UK. So effectively the carriage was FREE.
For Customs I was still required to submit a "value" of the carriage & the owner was required to pay import duty & GST on that value. In this case Customs valued the carriage at AU$30k & so Duty & GST were paid on a value of $30k.

B

[citivolus]

Yeah, I had to fax them a printout of the eBay auction page along with their reference number, and the scope is now happily in my hands :) It added a few days to the shipment, as they received it on the weekend.

No charges ended up being added, so all is good. It turns out that WO had listed the value of the item including postage, which at $910 US had put it dangerously close to the $1000 AU mark. I believe they only need to include postage in the valuation when calculating GST/duty if the item itself is over $1000AU.

Eric

[citivolus]

Ouch! :scared:

[Stephen65]

Yep, got the letter from Customs today about my Megrez.

I've received packages with a value close to A$1000 before but this is the first time I have had to deal with Customs, maybe they are having a crackdown?

[mlcolbert]

... maybe they figure the lead up to christmas is when most parcels with significant value arrive? Even though I've worked in spite of the government, I still wouldn't know.:shrug:

michael

[Stephen65]

Here's what happened, when WO sent the scope they declared its value on the accompanying documents a total value of scope price + shipping and handling. This was enough to push it just over A$1000 and prompted Customs to send me a letter saying pay duty and GST.

I spoke to them on the phone and they told me if I had an invoice that separated the price and shipping then I should fax that in as the A$1000 limit is measured against price, shipping is irrelevant. Yesterday at luncthime I faxed in a printout of the Ebay email that showed the price was just under A$1000 and this morning the courier delivered it.

An interesting fact I found is that when you have paid in foreign currency Customs converts this by using the rates published by the RBA on their website as at the date of shipment/

[mlcolbert]

Stephen,
I wonder if it would alter anything if you then provided a copy of a printout from xe.com (dated) or from a bank etc which showed the exchange rate on the day of purchase / sending?


michael

[Argonavis]

Any experience with UPS?