Help me understand a little more better please Customs Australia

[aussieg_37]

Hi everyone need a little help understanding on importing items over $1000 into Australia from the States. Since it’s my first time of a purchase this expensive. 

So bought books and Cassettes tapes for Teddy Ruxpin. On Monday the 8th of May it arrived in Sydney and no further details have been updated via Au Post it’s Normal Parcel Post. Since I’m in Victoria 

 
Anyway on the Pintey Bows Tracking page it says Held By Customs Import yet  via Aus Post tracking page and with the number of the first 12 digits being the exact same just extended by extra 12 digits it doesn’t say anything about Customs I did reach out Au Post but they said it’s not in Customs. 

So of course this has me confused as hell I’ve read that items over $1000 you gotta pay some sort of fee so customs can clear it or dose eBay do this automatically upon purchase and why dose Pintey Bows and the APG sites both say held by Customs yet Not on Au post tracking could Au post be mistaken sorry if this sounds silly I just have trouble understanding all this.

Also I should note my tracking on Au Post says on its way Arrived at destination Country this was the 8th in Sydney. I also should note on the eBay tracking page it says in Transit in origin country.

thank you if someone has good knowledge of stuff like this if can please help that be appreciated 

[gutterpunkz05]

As it is over $1000.  you will be contacted and required to pay GST plus collection and processing fees, usually comes in at about 25%.  You will be required to pay all fees to customs or their agent, before the goods will be released for delivery.  No idea what current customs delays are like.

[cam-2793]

eBay collects GST on low value items but not sure about high value items. Pitney Bowes is a massive logistics company that supposedly makes export easier for sellers so hopefully all the paperwork is in order. If there are outstanding duties then customs will contact you for payment.

In regards to having more than one tracking number, that is actually a good thing. Frequently tracking stops when an item reaches Australia, especially if using cheapest postage option. There is an ozpost facility very near customs facility so when their tracking updates to item received you will know it's almost home!

eBay tracking is not very good, takes forever to update. 17track gives a good overview, ship24 gives good detail. Both can be used free online. There are lots of all-in-one trackers out there if you want a backup to eBay tracking.

[aussieg_37]

Ok Thank you so who is more reliable in terms of tracking and accurate information APG e-commerce site says Held By Cutoms imports but Aus post do not say anything of that kind in fact when I called Aus post they said No it isn’t being held by Customs 

[aussieg_37]

Also I should note my parcel was sent by International program by eBay 

[gutterpunkz05]

Ebay do not collect  GST for items over $1000, and as far as I am aware, neither does Pitney Bowes  AKA the GSP.

GST For imports over $1000  is generally collected once the item arrives and is processed by customs.

In all likelyhood, your item is awaiting customs processing and you will be contacted in due course.

[aussieg_37]

Doesn’t all that come automatically with the eBay shipping program and Pitney Bowes 

Buying from sellers using the Global Shipping Program

If your seller is sending the item through the Global Shipping Program, you'll see the GSP logo on the listing.

Benefits of the Global Shipping Program for buyers:

• You'll pay all postage, taxes, and import charges(including processing charges and any applicable GST or other import charges) up front, and you won't have to pay any extra charges when your item is delivered.
• Tracking is always included so you can track your item right to your door.
• International deliveries made through GSP include customs clearance so you don't need to handle any extra paperwork.

Once you've paid for your item, the seller sends it to the global shipping provider. From there, it's sent to you.

When you pay, your payment will be split into two transactions:

• The first payment goes to the seller to cover the item price and any domestic shipping costs to send the item to the global shipping provider.
• The second payment covers the international postage cost, processing charges and any import charges (including any applicable GST).

After you've completed payment, you'll be able to see both the total cost and the amounts paid to the seller and the global shipping provider on the Order details page.

and pasted from global shipping information page 

[padi*0409]

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@aussieg_37 wrote:

Doesn’t all that come automatically with the eBay shipping program and Pitney Bowes 

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As already said, check on your order details it should be easy enough to see if the GST import charges have been taken out.

[cam-2793]

Don't know as I have never dealt with Pitney Bowes or APG e-commerce. Basically you are waiting for one of two things to happen. 

Either Customs will contact you and say you owe us money ( if duties and taxes are unpaid) or it will clear customs and the Australia Post tracking will tick over to "item received" or "processed at such and such"( if duties and taxes are paid).  

I know it's anxiety producing- I'm also waiting for an item that reached Oz 9th May. With no way of knowing where in the process it is, and frankly customs processing can take as little as an hour or as long as a month.  My item was sent economy so once it reaches Oz all tracking stops and one day (hopefully) it will just turn up.

You at least will know when it has passed the final hurdle and is on its way from NSW to Vic. Keep an eye on ozpost tracking if they are handling the final leg.

Breathe- if the EDD has not yet passed, patience.

[aussieg_37]

Thank you for that appreciate it just wondering tho if it was held by customs would Au post know like when I called them Friday can they tell on there end thank you again have trouble understanding things like this