As I understand it it's a grey/gray area. It's not actually an
official rule - technically all incoming goods are subject to a 10%
in lieu of the Goods and Services Tax that is levied on domestic
purchases. I believe that the Canadians pursue even the smallest
amount diligently. However there is an economic decision being made
here - that it simply isn't worth the trouble for packages worth less
than $500 which would yield less than $50 duty. It is something that
is 'understood' but unreliable. Sorry.
Neither do they seem too concerned about converting to AUD from USD -
tho' I can't remember getting items valued at say US$450 so I can't
be sure. Safest rule seems to say something like the Hong Kong
dealers tell Oz clients on ebay - you 'may' be liable for duty but
normally none is levied below that level. Personally I find B&H NY
more reliable, just as quick and often cheaper than HK -and they
offer USPS on most items.
USPS is good on items leaving the US but I've had problems the other
way around. Reliably less than 36hrs from my Post office to San Diego
but then things may go into a limbo for a week or so depending on
whether you're at DefCon 3 or higher. :-)
It often amuses me when US ebay sellers offer FedEx as if they are
doing you a favour - no they aren't. Either they are confused by the
no doubt excellent domestic service or they are dissembling in some
way to rationalise the benefits they get from such a service.
Andrew Fildes
afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On 24/02/2007, at 2:44 AM, ScottGee1 wrote:
>
> Andrew, is >$500 an Official Stated Amount? Are all packages valued
> over that automatically taxed and Customized? I assume that is AU$
> and that US$ are converted.
>
> I use only USPS for International shipments and have been well pleased
> with their service. Faster, on occasion, than domestic shipments!
>
> TIA!/ScottGee1
>
> On 2/23/07, Andrew Fildes <afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> The advantage for me in buying from B&H is that they offer a choice
>> of mail or evil thieving bastard (FedEx, UPS, whatever). If I receive
>> a mail package with a stated value of under $500, the customs don't
>> bother with it and I don't pay GST (VAT). I've never bought from KEH
>> and I wouldn't if they don't offer USPS for international.
>> If they send it by tracked courier service like FedEx, those swine
>> report it to customs, arrange for me to pay the tax that I don't need
>> to pay and charge me a brokerage fee for the privilege. I suspect
>> that they do rather well out of those brokerage fees. Of course
>> companies like using courier services because they don't have to do
>> any of the work themselves like going to the post office and the
>> customer can be billed for all transport expenses.
>> I don't buy from anyone who doesn't do mail - although for higher
>> value items I will choose something like UPS as it saves me
>> organising my own agent.
>> If you ever send something here (Oz), use insured mail.
>> Andrew Fildes
>> afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
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