O/seas sellers may be charged GST on sales

[misterforgetfulsbooks]

http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/308836/online-shopping-targeted-in-proposed-gst-changes/?cs=7

Do you think it is a good idea?

[davewil1964]

Given that the Federal Government has repeatedly said they won't do this as it will cost more to collect the additional GST than the value of that GST, I very much doubt it will happen. And there certainly won't be anything left over for offsetting other taxes.

I am at a loss to understand what this has to do with the NSW Treasurer anyway. Has it been a few days since he got his name and picture in the paper? Is there something dodgy in NSW's finances that he is trying to divert attention from?

[annies_fancy_dress]

In the 80's the tariffs on clothing were at 50% of the price and our manufacturers could barely struggle against O/S competition as it was.

Now, nearly all manufacturing industry is gone, and not just in clothing manufacturing.

We should appreciate how cheap clothing is at least, even if the quality of cheap clothing is so poor that you can only wear it once or twice before it looks haggard.

[***super_nova***]

Of-course, it is the BUYER who would pay the GST on receipt of the parcel.  Fair or not , it would be a huge job collecting all that money.  In other countries they have had the system in place for ever, but to start from scratch will be expensive. It would slow down processing parcels through customs and slow down the delivery contractor, if they had to collect the cash, and they would not be very happy having to carry cash, which would leave them open to attack.

So most likely, every time you get something taxable it will get carded you will have to go to the PO and pay when collecting your parcel.

[phorum_junkie*]

Collection is not a problem here in the UK. it is quite simple really, any parcel sent through the sending country's state mail system doesn't get charged. If the seller uses a courier company then the courier is responsible for collecting the payment and they add a swingeing fee on top of the 20% VAT for doing it! A £100 item can end up costing you £145!

As for the large B&M stores already paying GST i was referring to small traders, especially those on ebay, who keep their consignments under the $1,000 current limit.