OT: Great news for Aussie forumites

[Aussie Mark]

The duty free limit on imported goods has been increased from AUD$250 to AUD$1000, which means those used EBMM basses you've been lusting over in the US are now even more attractive, since you won't pay a cent in import duty or GST if the value is less than AUD$1000. So, if you can score a used Stingray, Sterling or Bongo for under US$750, that's all you'll pay (plus shipping of course).

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549

 

[ras1983]

correct me if i'm wrong, but shipping is NOT included in the $1000. so that's $1000 the bass. right?

 

[tiffles]

YEEE HAAA!! so whos selling for $750....?

 

[Aussie Mark]

That's right, if the value of the item is less than $1000, it's duty/tax free, regardless of the shipping method/cost.

If the value of the item exceeds $1000, then you pay duty (but not on basses, since duty is 0%) and GST on the total of the item value + shipping cost.

 

[Aussie Mark]

YEEE HAAA!! so whos selling for $750....?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2005-Musicma...7403920298QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ernie-Ball-4...7403735984QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ERNIE-BALL-M...7404299428QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ernie-Ball-M...7402802974QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ERNIE-BALL-M...7402907289QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Nice-Ernie-B...7404049836QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MUSICMAN-BON...7403833944QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Music-Man-St...7404485973QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[maddog]

That's right, if the value of the item is less than $1000, it's duty/tax free, regardless of the shipping method/cost.

If the value of the item exceeds $1000, then you pay duty (but not on basses, since duty is 0%) and GST on the total of the item value + shipping cost.

Who are you who are so wise in the way of customs.

Yes, I used it in the other thread but it is such a high mileage line.

 

[Colin]

That's great news Mark, because I won't be buying in Australia no more. Thanks for that info.

 

[pan_of_qld]

I've 'imported' 1 or 2 basses recently . . .

First was from an ebayer in the US who used regular USPS mail and cost $750USD. The bass arrived at Oz customs and I had to fill in a very long-winded form and pay GST at 10% (on bass + shipping cost) and duty on bass at 5%.

Another from a US dealer vis UPS (exxy) was $1800USD which required paying UPS an import fee which was just under my calculated GST + duty amount.

The last was regular USPS mail again and this one arrived at my local post office with no GST or duty to pay on a $1000USD bass.

Who knows the workings of the customs department?

 

[Aussie Mark]

Pan, yes it is hit or miss. Often the paperwork requirement is dependent upon how recently the Customs officer got laid.

However, the link I posted makes it clear that there is a new AUD$1000 limit, which means for anything less than that there is now no paperwork or GST payment required. That's great news.