topic Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items? in Buying

Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

stelpher — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 21:14:03 GMT

My recent overseas item browsing show many items now attract huge import tax fees. This even applies to second hand clothes (jeans /jacket) coming from the US. A secondhand jacket listed at US$23 attracts a $9.22 import tax levy. Thats ridiculous!

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

lyndal1838 — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 21:57:21 GMT

Where does it say that there is an import tax levy?

Are you sure it is not the GST charge on the item cost plus the postage?

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

brerrabbit585 — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 08:12:49 GMT

Lyndal, if you look at an item being sent through the GSP it shows a separate import duty. I realise that it'd be just the GST on the item + postage. In the OP's example I'd imagine the postage would be fairly hefty on clothes being sent through the GSP. (Just wait till certain people get wind of that!)

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

lyndal1838 — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 10:04:55 GMT

Are you saying that the postage on a pair of jeans is around US$70?

Even for the GSP that sounds excessive.

I am also pretty sure the GST would have to be declared as GST to be in compliance with Australian Law. Saying it is import charges would not cut it. There should not be any import charges on clothing.

This is why I asked where it said anything about import charges.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

brerrabbit585 — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 14:59:00 GMT

Maybe the gst has triggered other import charges when you use the GSP because I've never seen an import charge on any listing before, but they're there now. It's more likely that PB is charging to collect the GST on behalf the govt, but I would have thought ebay/pp would have already done that.

I looked at a $15 US item with $23.73 US postage (GSP) and it showed $7.22 import charge. When I hover over the question mark beside it, it says this: This amount includes applicable customs duties, taxes, brokerage and other fees. This amount is subject to change until you make payment.

The last bit could indicate that gst hasn't been added on yet and will only be added when you pay.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

lyndal1838 — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 01:38:12 GMT

My goodness, if you are right that has to be immoral if not downright illegal. That is almost 20% surcharge and it apparently does not even include the GST.

It will be interesting to see if there is a further 10% added when payment is made through paypal.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

6508.froggy — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 03:04:32 GMT

Hi All - Yes I have spent two hours on the phone today regarding the charging of more than 10% via GSP.

I have spoken with the ATO - GST area who comfirmed my thoughts that for low value items under $1,000 there is 10% GST payably ONLY..

GSP is charging extra costs. Now I have also demanded form Ebay I want a break down of the so called import charges on the invoice which will include the GST but should not include any other costs which I have confirmed with the ATO. They are to get back to me

The ATO were helpful but said they could do little about it and suggested I go to the Customs section or ACCC.

Perhaps we all need to get on this case to Ebay and suggest that Pitney Robbers review the new legislation effective 1 July 2018

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

brerrabbit585 — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 05:44:01 GMT

What they're charging is no different to the admin charge that UK post offices charge to collect the VAT. The only difference is that I can't really see that PB are collecting anything, but maybe they're collecting the gst for ebay. I don't know why they'd need to because the postage amount is set before you actually make your purchase and ebay would know exactly what the gst would cost.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

c_mount — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 11:19:43 GMT

A very good question. Somebody as usual rorting the system. Why should be have to pay 10% GST on secondhand goods??

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

c_mount — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 11:20:47 GMT

PB are probably charging a fee to collect the GST.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

daveysgame — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 16:20:13 GMT

Just wondering if you ended up finding out about the import fee, I have recently brought a U.S.$40 item, shipping was U.S.$60 and it cost me U.S.$119 with a U.S.$19 import fee, I have rounded the amouunts off to the nearest dollar to save a brain strain haha.
Seperate and irrelevent to that, the dollar conversion meant it cost me about $180Aud.
I am happy with the item and total price because it is a rare item but the $19 import fee got me considering it is an item that is about 40 years old.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

lyndal1838 — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 21:37:29 GMT

Second hand goods are subject to GST.....they have always been subject to GST if an Australian seller is registered for GST and now that the GST is being charged on low value imports ebay is deemed to be the seller for the purpose of GST.

If the seller is using the GSP they also charge an "Import Fee" to cover their charges for collecting the GST.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

c_mount — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 07:31:30 GMT

Mr Australian Government

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

porcelain_dolls_by_me — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 08:26:10 GMT

What a total waste of bandwith

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

imastawka — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 08:31:10 GMT

@porcelain_dolls_by_me wrote:
What a total waste of bandwith

The pic or the poster?

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

lyndal1838 — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 09:29:36 GMT

What do you think Stawks?

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

imastawka — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 09:48:28 GMT

Probably both.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

christopher6871 — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 07:48:38 GMT

Today I bought an item on eBay that was second hand. It cost about $1600. And it was from the US. I was charged after I made my bid and couldn’t back out $700 “import tax”. This is 43.75% tax. It’s not right.

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

tazzieterror — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 08:03:41 GMT

It's always prudent to take a look at what import taxes and duties might apply to a purchase prior to making it. What sort of item was it?

Re: Why is there import charges on secondhand items?

daveysgame — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 09:09:19 GMT

christopher6871 that is so wrong no matter what the excuse or reason, there is no justification that stretches to virtually half the items price, it is all about us getting screwed,