Import charges

[bythesandsoftime-2]

hi I am from Australia and was looking to buy something thing from the USA. the item im looking at costs just a lil over 1000 AUD. ive read that import charges are between 0-10% usually 5% for items over 1000, but on the page of the thing i want to buy, the import charges says "$271.61 (amount confirmed at checkout) ". is this a correct estimation of export charges i will have to pay?

if anyone has any experience with this please let me know.

[e-customs]

You can use the following link at e-Customs to calculate the correct import charges. Same information is on the Australia Borderforce website although it's not a succint. 

In summary you will be charged import GST and/or customs duty if your goods are either valued at over AUD $1,000 or contain alcohol or tobacco in any quantity or value.

In order for you to calculate your customs duty exposure, you will need to multiple the duty rate (i.e. 5%) by the Customs Value (CVAL) of the goods. The CVAL is generally the Free on Board (FOB) value in its Australian dollar equivalent. For example:

FOB CVAL = A$1,000
Duty rate = 5%
Customs Duty = A$50

GST is calculated at 10% of the Value of the Taxable Importation (VOTI) which includes the addition of customs duty, international freight and insurance (T&I) and the Customs Value (CVAL) of the goods in its Australian dollar equivalent. For example:

FOB CVAL= A$1,000
T&I = A$25
Duty = A$50
VOTI = A$1,075
GST = $107.50

As a result, using the above example the combined customs duty and import GST exposure would thus amount to A$157.50. Consequently, the complete amount payable is calculated as follows;

Customs Duty + GST = $157.50
Customs Entry Fee = $50
e-Customs Clearance Fee = $75
Total cost = $282.50

[imastawka]

I think they may have figured that out in the last 15 months since they posted.

[boggsy84]

So when you pay through gsp for an item over $1000, do you have to pay gst, or is it covered in the import fees charged by the gsp?

[padi*0409]

Take the time to read the thread and you will find out.....................sheesh.

[thecradlemob]

The import charges are fake and eBay is being deliberately misleading and deceptive about them. I have the online transcript dated today where they told me that Austrade were to blame. Austrade replied to me with a **bleep** response and referred me to Home Affairs. Items under $1k are now subject to GST thanks to Gerry Harvey whining BUT NO TAX OR IMPORT DUTY APPLIES to these items listed into Australia unless it’s tobacco products or some medicines. What does this mean? Sellers are losing sales because eBay are fraudulently claiming fees that only seem to appear when sellers are dumb enough to sign up to eBay’s ‘global shipping program’. Vote with your purchases. EBay are lying and should be called on it.

[thecradlemob]

The word ‘listed’ into Australia should have been ‘posted’ into Australia. I’ll blame tiredness due to hassling Aust Govt Depts to try to get a reason for these charges. There isn’t one.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

@thecradlemountainmob

you have some replies to your other post. I’m not going to re-post the reply I gave you.

[Anonymous]

Why waste your time hassling govt departments when the answers are clearly posted in other threads?

[ja_furb]

it is a total joke and ebay will go out of business if it continues.

i ordered something for 700 bucks....under the australian threshold by 300 dollars and ebay sent me the bill  which had an additional 101 dollars for shipping 9 pretty expensive fo a small thing)  AND 100 dollars for IMPORT....Errrrrr - THERE IS NO IMPORT DUTY ON ANYTHING UNDER 1000 DOLLARS in Australia. this is a rort. I think a heap of people will stop using ebay if this is what they are trying to get away with now.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@ja_furb wrote:

it is a total joke and ebay will go out of business if it continues.

i ordered something for 700 bucks....under the australian threshold by 300 dollars and ebay sent me the bill  which had an additional 101 dollars for shipping 9 pretty expensive fo a small thing)  AND 100 dollars for IMPORT....Errrrrr - THERE IS NO IMPORT DUTY ON ANYTHING UNDER 1000 DOLLARS in Australia. this is a rort. I think a heap of people will stop using ebay if this is what they are trying to get away with now.

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I think you need to read up on the GST being implemented on low-cost (under $1000) imports that commenced on 1st July.

There is no longer a Tax-Free threshold on imports coming through the post/couriers.

Put simply, when buying items on eBay from overseas sellers it is eBay that will collect the GST for the ATO unless there is a re-deliverer such as Pitney Bowes (GSP) involved.  GST is levied against the item cost, the shipping cost and any other charges associated with the transaction.