Why is Ebay charging GST on used items?

[netscrounger]

The Australian government imposed GST charges on online sales to protect "Brick and mortar" businesses, I get that, but why an I expected to pay an extra $30 on a set of obsolete used motorcycle carbs that I'm buying from a private seller in the US? What a scam! Cancel my bid thanks!

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

you contracted them the moment you checked out.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@ngupaan wrote:

They are just putting it all under the GST charge, no itemising at all:(

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does it say “GST charges” or does it say “Import charge”?

[ngupaan]

GST

[ngupaan]

Since when, the USPS, UPS, Australia Post, FedEx and a myriad of other Carries will tell you that the Contract is between the Sender/Consignor and the Shipper not the Receiver/Consignee as I have already  previously had this converstaion with the Shipping Companies mentioned above.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@ngupaan wrote:

Since when, the USPS, UPS, Australia Post, FedEx and a myriad of other Carries will tell you that the Contract is between the Sender/Consignor and the Shipper not the Receiver/Consignee as I have already  previously had this converstaion with the Shipping Companies mentioned above.

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the seller contracted a shipper to ship to PB. After that, the seller has nothing to do with shipping to Australia.

You contracted PB to ship the item from USA to Australia.

[ngupaan]

won't be again, no purchase from anyone with GSP, will be their loss not mine:)

[*tippy*toes*]

I can't believe you have over 5,000 feedback and have never heard of the GSP. You must be the only eBayer who has never heard of them.

[davewil1964]

C'mon tippy. They've only been registered on the boards for 13 years.

[jasbu-32]

Contact australian customs : any import under $400 does not require ANY gst to be payed. So why is ebay charging it on every single thing?

[lyndal1838]

By all means contact Australian Customs and ask about the $400 limit on imports.  And be prepared for them to laugh themselves silly!!!

You could also try reading the ATO information in regards to the same subject.

For your information it is many years since $400 was the limit before import duties were charged......before GST was introduced if my memory is correct.