Duties and taxes on posted items from the U.S

[1969camaro]

I'm looking at my options for brakes at the moment and have had reasonable quotes on postage with usps. To avoid import duties and gst does the total of the items sent need to be less than $1000au including the postage cost? The customs website just says the value of the item, doesn't say anything about shipping or postage.

[1969camaro]

i should have searched better, looks like it includes postage.

[OldIndian]

Yes it does include postage, but get the brakes broken into two or three separate parcels & dispatched at different times and ask them to make the value a gift. But make sure they keep tracking numbers so if one of the box's gets lost you can work out what missing and try and claim it.

[blackoutsteve]

Labelling as a "gift" will not make any difference as there must be a declared value by law and usually with a shipping invoice.

I would try to have the brake kit broken into two seperate parcels and the total price divided in two, and each shipped two weeks apart.
You'll pay a little more shipping, but you wont pay tax or customs clearance fees.
Also there is a postage weight limit of about 20kgs, so unless you want to pay a miilion dollars on international courier costs, you'll need to split the order anyway.. I'm assuming you're buying a complete kit with rotors, calipers, master and booster etc..??

[OldIndian]

If you break it down like Blackoutsteve recommends its cheaper..the kits about 130lbs according to the ebay guys in the US.. thats 59kg, if you break it down into three parcels..like Blackoutsteve says.. say like 43lbs each you can post it.. for US$ 246.75 - each box, Tell Classics or the Ebay sell to do that and you will not be charged duty or gst and it will be at your door in like 7 days (not USPS global express its too expensive - just use Priority) or ask an importer here to bring it in for you, offer them something cash like $50 to throw it in a container.

[1969camaro]

thanks for the info guys, at this stage its looking to be 3 packages with usps international priority mail. The kit i'm looking at uses DBA rotors so i'm getting those locally. just will be callipers, pads and brackets. no booster yet.

[rodent]

You don't need no stink'in booster Dan :) Harden up :D

[Nev68]

You don't need no stink'in booster Dan :) Harden up :D

Yeah, there's nothing like have to get out of the seat for an urgent braking manouvre

[1969camaro]

You don't need no stink'in booster Dan :) Harden up :D

I'll more than likely be running no booster. Can run a bigger cam then. :D

[chevelle]

I'll more than likely be running no booster. Can run a bigger cam then. :D

If you do make sure you order a 7/8 bore size.

[blackoutsteve]

...and a lot of pedal travel.

[chevelle]

...and a lot of pedal travel.

Wilwood Master Cylinder works fine in my 550hp LC GTR with 7/8 bore, Excellent pedal. Was told it would have pedal travel, but no problems they work great.

[blackoutsteve]

Yeah, but that car weighs nothing!:p

[chevelle]

We just put one on my mates camaro, same as mine and he is happy and that works fine also.
http://www.wilwood.com/Products/006-MasterCylinders/009-ATCMC/index.asp

Going to get another 3 of these on the November U.S trip for my camaro and mates other 2 cars.

[blackoutsteve]

What calipers?

[chevelle]

I have HQ cast iron fronts and ford drums rear on my torrie, mate has Wilwood calipers.
Mates LC GTR has been fully engineered with 308, 9 inch, had his original master cylinder modified with 7/8 bore but will now install a wilwood master cylinder.
I think it depends on the driver and how he feels with the brake pedal travel, if he is comfortable.

[1969camaro]

I've been advised 7/8 to 15/16 master cylinder with z06 6 piston fronts and 4 piston rears.

[MrCam]

Gents,
I'm putting an order through with Classic Indutries at the moment. I am expecting I will end up spending about $3000 - $4000. I will ask Classic Industries to break down the order.

How much tax do I need to pay if Classic Industries don't agree and I need to ship that parts to Australia in one go?

[Twisted67]

Gents,
I'm putting an order through with Classic Indutries at the moment. I am expecting I will end up spending about $3000 - $4000. I will ask Classic Industries to break down the order.

How much tax do I need to pay if Classic Industries don't agree and I need to ship that parts to Australia in one go?

Just watch em what they charge you on your freight they're a bit pricey IMO.

[blackoutsteve]

They won't break down an order that big, or you'll have to do a bunch of seperate orders that will all get shipped at once.
Perhaps you should arrange to have your order shipped to Pete Smith's container, or someone else who can sea freight it for you.

[OldIndian]

They won't break down an order that big, or you'll have to do a bunch of seperate orders that will all get shipped at once.
Perhaps you should arrange to have your order shipped to Pete Smith's container, or someone else who can sea freight it for you.


Just do it in 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 different orders.. keep them under A$1000 each with the delivery andblackoutSteve recommends Peter Smith all the time try him first for the lot delivered to you - if you get it delivered to him he can have have it imported and cleared just for you in his container and what they call separate entries so you don't pay tax if you send it there in multiple loads under A$1000 each.. but just watch out like the A$ does not go down again fast like last time or you might get taxed more again too.

[blackoutsteve]

The 20% discount offer runs out on the 30th of September (in 6 days)..
Also, small orders wont be eligible for the 5% or 10% discounts due to their lower value. This is why I'd suggest doing one order and sea freighting as opposed to the headache of doing the seperate orders. ;)
You might save a little tax, but you'll lose your bulk discounts and pay additional shipping. This is where cheap postage of large orders will end up costing more.

Peter Bromage (sic?) is another who can container freight for you. As far as I know, his shipping doesn't go via China like Pete's cheaper freight does. Saves about 2 weeks.. Better check first. :)

[OldIndian]

Better still .. just jump on a Virgin Atlantic Flight THIS weekend.. for A$1100 including tax's..... go over - stuff a few bags & back with you.. pay a little in oversize baggage..and have a bloody holiday.. even if you have to pay a bit of excess baggage.... Sunday relaxing.... now let's see.. Santa Monica beach.. or .. Melbourne...

[blackoutsteve]

Now you're talking! :D

[1969camaro]

I just got this email in reply to a question i emailed customs through their website. Looks like the postage cost isn't included in the total, i'll phone them to confirm this.



Good afternoon,


Consignments arriving into Australia with a value of less than AU$1000 do not attract duty and GST (excluding alcohol/tobacco products) and do not require the completion of an import declaration.





Postage cost is not included in the $1000AU.





Exchange rate is on the date of export.







Regards,

[blackoutsteve]

I've had to pay duty on the total shipping and goods costs, and I've seen it documented that's it's standard proceedure too.
If you're told postage costs are not included, get it on an official customs document, in writting, with the name and signature of the officer advising you of such so he/she can be held liable when you're charged!.

GST means good and services, Postage is a service. It's taxable.

[1969camaro]

I've had to pay duty on the total shipping and goods costs, and I've seen it documented that's it's standard proceedure too.
If you're told postage costs are not included, get it on an official customs document, in writting, with the name and signature of the officer advising you of such so he/she can be held liable when you're charged!.

GST means good and services, Postage is a service. It's taxable.

will try to call tomorrow and see where i get with it

[MrCam]

GST is obviously 10% tax. How much is duty tax?

I have read 5% somewhere however not sure if this accurate. I will call tomorrow to find out for sure..

Surely someone on this forum knows.

[blackoutsteve]

I'm not sure about duty, but we have a free trade agreement with the USA, so there would be no duty on anything US made.

[OldIndian]

Yes but 90% of the stuff you buy from Classics is made in China or Taiwan and labeled that way. The FTA is for USA made parts. Kevin07 wants a FTA with China (then say goodbye to most manufacturing or whats left in Oz)
Duty can be 5-15%, its added to the price to give a new paper total, the freight cost is added giving another higher NEW paper total cost, THEN GST is added over the combined total.

[USA-69Z]

Yes but 90% of the stuff you buy from Classics is made in China or Taiwan and labeled that way. The FTA is for USA made parts. Kevin07 wants a FTA with China (then say goodbye to most manufacturing or whats left in Oz)
Duty can be 5-15%, its added to the price to give a new paper total, the freight cost is added giving another higher NEW paper total cost, THEN GST is added over the combined total.

spot on

[1969camaro]

I phoned customs today and was told that the $1000au does not include the postage cost. As long as customs can see the value of the item and the postage cost separate on the paperwork there shouldn't be a problem.

[blackoutsteve]

Your our guinea pig! :p
Contrary to what I've known and experienced.. Let's hope they've changed their rules.

[OldIndian]

"Contrary to what I've known and experienced.. Let's hope they've changed their rules."


Correct... same here.

[Twisted67]

I phoned customs today and was told that the $1000au does not include the postage cost. As long as customs can see the value of the item and the postage cost separate on the paperwork there shouldn't be a problem.

Yeah dan i was told the same thing aswell.
So ive told the mob in the u.s. im gettin my gear through to send my gear boxed up to the value of $750us and no more then that allows for the currency to drop.
Just my 2c worth.

Paul

[blackoutsteve]

Have a look at this link..

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

Scroll down to "Calculating duty and taxes" and note that "International transport and insurance or postage" is a part of every calculation when working out the amount of tax & duty payable.

The same example is also on page 3 of their FAQ.

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ImportingGoodsByPostFAQ.pdf

I'm not convinced and I would suggest asking for an explanation from the customs officer you have spoken to as to why he/she is being contradicted his/hers own doduments.

Also, this is worth noting..

GIFT CONCESSION
The gift concession (by-law number 9740019) was revoked on and from 1 October 2008. However importations up to a value of AUD$1,000 are exempt payment of duty and GST (except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products), see tariff updates for more details.

Look up the by-law and read the fine print. Proving a gift that was bought by you and for you might be a tad difficult. :p

[rodent]

Regardless of what the Government tell you, they are going to stick 3 fingers deep in your arse to get some cash :(...........don't believe any Verbal BS....

Not sure if it's well known here or not, but the Government is that desperate for cash that they expect you to pay GST on what it cost you to transport your car in another Country :eek:(which sort of falls under the link that Steve posted)

[OldIndian]

"they are going to stick 3 fingers deep in your arse to get some cash ."

.. only if its done by Julia Gillard... .. ahhhhhh.. I can feel it going me good...

[1969camaro]

Yeah dan i was told the same thing aswell.
So ive told the mob in the u.s. im gettin my gear through to send my gear boxed up to the value of $750us and no more then that allows for the currency to drop.
Just my 2c worth.

Paul

I was thinking the same Paul, see how it goes.

[1969camaro]

Regardless of what the Government tell you, they are going to stick 3 fingers deep in your arse to get some cash :(...........don't believe any Verbal BS....

Not sure if it's well known here or not, but the Government is that desperate for cash that they expect you to pay GST on what it cost you to transport your car in another Country :eek:(which sort of falls under the link that Steve posted)

I hope not. lol
Will call again monday and see if they can fax me something in writing

[OldIndian]

"Will call again Monday and see if they can fax me something in writing"
.. if your ringing the US too.... make that then Tuesday.. as our Monday the yanks are all at church - after which I think they go back into the warehouse packing the reject parts in to "Export Only" box's.

[1969camaro]

Would a week in between packages be enough to avoid them being grouped together?

[Twisted67]

Hi Dan,
I got my packages sent on the fri then on monday(11 days difference) and they turned up like that and took 9 days from california to w.a. to give you a bit of an idea and they were sent through usps priorty.
Im sure theres a quicker ways but im in no hurry at the moment
Hope this helps ya??

[rodent]

Would a week in between packages be enough to avoid them being grouped together?

Yes,

last three I got shipped were ordered on 19,21,22 of April and shipped on 20,21,23 April and were for $664us,642us and$616us, and all made it through, no tax :D

At the time the buck was at around 76¢

[1969camaro]

Cheers guys, will be ordering soon. Will let you know how it goes.

[1969camaro]

I got 2 of the packages this week, today and yesterday. The last should be arriving soon. Both were delivered without any problems. So the $1000au does not include the postage cost.

[chevguy]

I got 2 of the packages this week, today and yesterday. The last should be arriving soon. Both were delivered without any problems. So the $1000au does not include the postage cost.

I found it really depends on luck,if customs open or investigate your package you will get slugged over $1000AU. But, I have had small items that are over the $1k turn up to my door with no more to pay.

[1969camaro]

My packages were split up so the value of the bits inside were under $1000au, postage puts it well over. They weren't huge boxes, heavy though. See how the third one goes soon.

[blackoutsteve]

So the $1000au does not include the postage cost.

Then they owe me a refund!

[OldIndian]

Then they owe me a refund! - Same here...

Don't forget.. you pay MORE per kg or lb .. considerably more .. for say 1-25 kgs then you do for 50-75 kgs.. so each time you split the loading to avoid a bit of GST.. you also pay a premium in the freight charges.. EACH PACKAGE..

.. are you better off..??? really six of one and half dozen of the other..

.. really .. its chest beating pointless stuff so say we do not pay tax on such small quantities of parts..... most will not come out & say they were a bloody idiot cause they could have brought it cheaper, had it faster and insured with less time loss just by either getting it here from one of the low life burglars OR.. just getting it in one hit from OS and paying a bit of tax.
The only real way to get it cheap is wait for a sale, don't pay internal freight to a wharf and have somebody bring it in on a sea container pay the required tax and duty and sleep at night.. or do a false invoice to get around some tax and treat the ASC like an inexperienced idiot..... if you do that .. you also run the risk of hurting the importer and loosing the goods by Customs Confiscation.

[qik66]

I think you will find that it is often a case of it not worth there effort to process the paper work, it cost customs something like $80-$100 to process the paper work (labour,forms ect) so if the charges are only a few dollars more it's a waste of time, the reason they have the duty free limit. Takes as long to process a $1000 parcel as it does a $2000 or $10,000 one with a lot less return for them

[1969camaro]

Then they owe me a refund!

what did you get charged for? Gst plus import duty?
I have one package to go, will have to wait and see what happens with that one.

[Twisted67]

USPS at the moment have prority mail boxes up to 20 pound in weight for $53u.s.We sent 3 boxes of stuff off last thursday and a few other things aswell and they were heaps cheaper than ups and fed ex.
So if you can tell your suppliers to send em that way it might save a few $$$$.

[blackoutsteve]

what did you get charged for? Gst plus import duty?
I have one package to go, will have to wait and see what happens with that one.

It was the freight (USPS) that brought my import total over AU$1000.
I had to pay $100 customs clearance, plus taxes on the enclosed items.
Luckily, I was able to show them a large portion of the stuff was USA made, and thanks to out Free Trade Agreement the tax amount was reduced.
It still cost me about $150-200 extra and delayed delivery by nearly a week.

Just like in their current online paperwork, I still believe the postage (the service in GST) is taxable, and that you were told incorrectly.
BTW, Did they get you a copy in writing?
I'd frame it and shove it in their face with every delivery! :p :D

[OldIndian]

RANDA67...
the USPS box's are pretty small but... like 12 inches x 12 inch x 5.5 inches.. that's about like two shoe box's next to each other & 9 KGS.
Good for sending like a radio or basic bunch of small parts or some magazines.
Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box (up to 20 pounds) us$32.95 US$53.95 12" x 12" x 5-1/2"

[1969camaro]

It was the freight (USPS) that brought my import total over AU$1000.
I had to pay $100 customs clearance, plus taxes on the enclosed items.
Luckily, I was able to show them a large portion of the stuff was USA made, and thanks to out Free Trade Agreement the tax amount was reduced.
It still cost me about $150-200 extra and delayed delivery by nearly a week.

Just like in their current online paperwork, I still believe the postage (the service in GST) is taxable, and that you were told incorrectly.
BTW, Did they get you a copy in writing?
I'd frame it and shove it in their face with every delivery! :p :D

The only thing i got in writing was the email that was sent.
So not too sure that would help much.

[73camaro]

im looking at importing a magna flow exhaust system, the exhaust is $700 US and freight is $250 delivered to my door, the total comes to $1070 AUS, do i pay taxes and stamp duty on this even though the product itself is under $1000? if so do they contact me when the part arrives in the country

[chevguy]

im looking at importing a magna flow exhaust system, the exhaust is $700 US and freight is $250 delivered to my door, the total comes to $1070 AUS, do i pay taxes and stamp duty on this even though the product itself is under $1000? if so do they contact me when the part arrives in the country

Yes you do have to pay, it will come to an Aussie company( DB Schenker etc etc) and they will phone you to say it is there. When you pay the fee(by credit card is the easiest) they release it and it comes to you. Another delivery expense will be tacked on as well usually if it goes through these type of companies....or you may just luck out and it will turn up at your door.

[blackoutsteve]

Probably available locally. Call some exhaust shops.. Certain components are available. If you don't mind the wait, maybe they can order ex-usa for you if the price is right.
http://www.magnaflow.com/03dealer.asp

[73camaro]

Are these 3 inch systems a bit of over kill on the 350/330hp motor

[blackoutsteve]

Definitely. 3" is really for over 500.
Twin 2.5" is plenty for that amount of power.

[73camaro]

would there be a huge sound difference

[blackoutsteve]

smaller diameter = quieter.. Yes, a noticeable difference.
Also, going too big actually hurts power. An exhaust system needs to scavenge and the right diameter is very important for it to do this. Unless you have the gasflow, a larger diameter weakens the scavenging "strength" and just makes more volume for the engine to have to push out..
Obviously a too small diameter creates a restriction, and "needing" back pressure is a myth. There is no performance exhaust anywhere that is designed to "aid" gasflow by causing a restriction..
A good system of the correct diameter will help power and actually help pull exhaust from the engine.