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Additional costs of importing parts

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PorscheKombi Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined May 2013 ·

#960542
So, only being in oz for near 3months i was thinking what parts i could try and accumulate for my bus.

having come from the uk, where you get stung by import tax and VAT etc etc when importing from states, I was wondering if Australia was any better.

my brief search found this:
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/importingGoodsByPostFaq.asp

which implies that anything imported under $1000 is not subject to any duty GST etc.

Is this really true?
I have always wanted a gene berg shifter so would i only need to pay the the price of the part and shipping without fear of being stung for any customs/import/GST etc?

NaFe

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#960543
PorscheKombi wrote:Is this really true?
I have always wanted a gene berg shifter so would i only need to pay the the price of the part and shipping without fear of being stung for any customs/import/GST etc?

NaFe
Yep, under a grand, no tax, 🙂
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

PorscheKombi Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined May 2013 ·

#960545
I better get involved then...

andrewmurphy Officially Full-On Dubber

307 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#960548
Generally there is no duty between Australia and the US. But GST applies where the product and shipping is over $1000. Not just the product. Then GST is calculated on the total.

cam070 Custom Title Time!

1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·

#960573
Better order soon before our dollar becomes worthless

bugzla Custom Title Time!

1,164 posts · joined Jun 2007 ·

#960574
hmmmmmmm worthless for your wallet not for your country

bugmaniaar Officially Full-On Dubber

295 posts · joined Jun 2011 ·

#960596
Just a question on this.
How does the tax dept/government know how much my products cost me from the US?
Theres no price tag on the packaging,only my address and details of the sender..

PorscheKombi Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined May 2013 ·

#960602
i've heard some stuff in the news about the strength/weakness in the dollar. if its making news as a bad thing, then surely its only bad one way - i presume its bad exporting, so US buying Aus goods....i.e. good for Aus people buying US goods (in terms of historical exchange rates)

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#960604
Our $ low makes our exports more attractive to overseas but makes imported products less attractive to Australian consumers, therefore good for the country but not for the consumer
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#960605
PorscheKombi wrote:i've heard some stuff in the news about the strength/weakness in the dollar. if its making news as a bad thing, then surely its only bad one way - i presume its bad exporting, so US buying Aus goods....i.e. good for Aus people buying US goods (in terms of historical exchange rates)

Yes

if the $Aus dollar goes down to say 85 cents US
holden will probably sell heaps more cars to the USA..
and AUSSIE manufacturers will also be able to sell aussie made goods to the USA much easier...
so it is good news for Australia but many things will get more expensive for Us.. especially anything from the USA..

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#960606
bugmaniaar wrote:Just a question on this.
How does the tax dept/government know how much my products cost me from the US?
Theres no price tag on the packaging,only my address and details of the sender..
well that IS weird as every parcel I get from overseas has the price of the goods inside on the parcel... ON A STICKER

I noticed the price I paid was on the label on the carby I bought from the USA..

many shops will have the price you paid printed out..
but people can write anything on the label...
like prize or sample goods value $ 000
and some stuff I get from china or hong kong or the UK has that written on it.. OR VALUE $1 ETC..

CHEERS

:LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#960607
Yes, that is true..
the value should be written on a sticker on the parcel
for tax import duties etc...

so, if someone wrote that your parts were worth $1250
then You would be charged import duty and anything else they want to charge you..

they can write : used parts with no value
regardless of whats in the box...
and chances are You wouldnt pay anything..

if You buy parts from the UK.. Yes I know they are expensive...lol You won't pay VAT... or shouldn't..
and even if You buy from some states in the USA that have state VAT or GST You wont pay them either...

but You better be quick as Our dollar is falling to the USA dollar.. it was wprth $1-05 at one time..

but read today that the US GOV is no longer going to top up their $$ by buying bonds...
this doesn't finish until next year by US Government..
so Our dollar may keep going down for a while..??

but also Read where Aussie businesses told NOT to expect Our dollar to keep going down


cheers

Lee




PorscheKombi wrote:So, only being in oz for near 3months i was thinking what parts i could try and accumulate for my bus.

having come from the uk, where you get stung by import tax and VAT etc etc when importing from states, I was wondering if Australia was any better.

my brief search found this:
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/importingGoodsByPostFaq.asp

which implies that anything imported under $1000 is not subject to any duty GST etc.

Is this really true?
I have always wanted a gene berg shifter so would i only need to pay the the price of the part and shipping without fear of being stung for any customs/import/GST etc?

NaFe
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

brendanwright Seriously Crusin Dubber

146 posts · joined Feb 2011 ·

#960614
Yeah, everything I have ever received from the states has the dollar value on the outside of the box somewhere....if it isn't declared by the sender then you'll definitely run the risk of the package being searched/opened/seized by customs. If they do open it and are suspicious of you trying to do the dodgy and import goods worth more than the $1000aud threshold and not pay import gst taxes, good chance you'll either get fined or the goods will be seized......

You can have the sender put comments in the description of the goods to say 'samples' or 'used parts' or something of the like, but if customs are suspicious they can still investigate the goods and who knows what they will come up with.

I' d suggest be careful if trying to be dodgy as sometimes it would be better/cheaper to pay the import gst taxes than having your new parts seized and not getting them at all.

In saying all that, if you buy goods worth under the customs threshold it's all good...no taxes and you've more than likely got some killer new parts for way less than what you can buy here locally.....

nils Fahrvergnugen

971 posts · joined Jan 2008 ·

#960616
For parts over a $1000,

Most vw places will do freeshipping in the US
send it to a friend, then have them send it to you

disclaimer: I have never done this for the purpose of tax evasion
Quit calling rust patina

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#960686
WHY the $1000.00 threshold?
I was told that anything below $1000.00 costs the government more to recover than the revenue raised.
Makes sense.

PorscheKombi Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined May 2013 ·

#960688
maybe i better order that gene berg this week then hehe 🙂 will still be cheaper than buying un UK i think

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#960693
Parts from CIP1 etc in the USA are very cheap even for good quality German made stuff [or USA made parts]

but the postage they charge Us in Australia is just too expensive..
much much more than they should be...
but Most of the big shops over there do it..

but live in the USA and its usually free... [if your order is worth so much]

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#960813
It's all relative to what parts you are ordering.
When I first started ordering from cip1 I continually recalculated the shipping costs.
The results were very interesting.
The following results are a rough guess so don't quote me!
At about $120.00 the shipping was more than the cost of parts.
At $300.00 shipping was over $200
At $500 shipping had topped out at somewhere above 300 and had started falling
By the time it reached 850 the shipping had fallen to about 220.

So the more you spend the lower the cost of shipping per dollar spent.

When I order I start with a long list and pile the cart with everything I want.
I then trim it down until I reach the magic $1000.00 mark, save the cart, and walk away.
The next day I go back and check it over, make changes if necessary, and then pay for it.

Sometimes I haven't enough to make the magic 1k, so I will top up with other goodies
such as service items (plugs, fuel filters etc.), tools, books and so on.
If your stuck, phone a friend and see if there's anything they need.

The added cost of shipping when done this way is more than recovered by the lower cost of the parts.
And don't forget the advantage of an excellent response time.
I have waited three weeks for a part from Melbourne.
I have had orders from CIP1 in CALIFORNIA in THREE DAYS!

narumi I'll do it tomorrow

138 posts · joined Aug 2011 ·

#960847
when i bought a couples of things for from cb
one article got held by customs asking for import tax to be paid,
on the dec it said it was $1152 or whatever it was.
I rang them up and told them that the cost of goods were actually 900 and the rest was postage.
and then sent them email with invoice attatched.
and they released it

shaven Insano Dub Head

729 posts · joined Jul 2007 ·

#960852
narumi wrote:when i bought a couples of things for from cb
one article got held by customs asking for import tax to be paid,
on the dec it said it was $1152 or whatever it was.
I rang them up and told them that the cost of goods were actually 900 and the rest was postage.
and then sent them email with invoice attatched.
and they released it
that was lucky... I was under the impression & from everything I have bought from the UK & US that you MUST be under $1000... so $999.99 is SAFE...

that is the items you have bought + the shipping charges. This I know because ive been charged extra for goods before... saying this IT also depends who the seller ships your items with... from the US ... UPS, FedEx & USPS are all treated different from Australian customs❗❗❗
Im guessing this would be the same from the UK.
nils wrote:For parts over a $1000,

Most vw places will do freeshipping in the US
send it to a friend, then have them send it to you

disclaimer: I have never done this for the purpose of tax evasion
GOLD 😂😂😂

PorscheKombi - rumour has it... if you do buy items O/S & for some reason they reach $1350 etc etc over $1000 ... you can always ask the seller to declare the goods are ONLY worth $999.99 or less (under $1k).

I read this somewhere once😂🤪
"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends"

PorscheKombi Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined May 2013 ·

#960855
at the moment, i wont be buying anything over $1000. but all good details to know 🙂

as for postage costs, i remember buying some deluxe clips from a place in the US and their online basket/checkout system was going to charge me some ridiculous amount for two packets of clips. i sent them an email and they confirmed my suspisions - their website was shit 🙂. they reduced reduced my shipping to an acceptable amount. i presume people have tried to talk/email these US companies to check postage costs....

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#960859
My purchase with CB came just over $1000, so customs held it up. But again, like stated i showed them the invoice that the goods themselves were only $835 or so... and thus it got released.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#960883
Did CB Performance add the freight into the cost of parts on the docket??

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#960885
Yes,
small companies or individuals who actually write the amount on the docket can write whatever, but many won't because they don't know anything about what they are doing... just writing an amount... but You tell them/inform them, they will normally do it.. or [if the Boss will let them??]

unless they are afraid of the Government.. lol

Larger companies are usually governed by what their computer says .. and as some states in the USA pay state tax
they are used to writing the correct amount on the end of the order... [not the invoice less freight]
as freight is often free in the USA..

plus as You said, the freight is MUCH more by FEDEX UPS
so adds more to the invoice..

but freight shouldn't be included... ??

cheers

LEE



shaven wrote:that was lucky... I was under the impression & from everything I have bought from the UK & US that you MUST be under $1000... so $999.99 is SAFE...

that is the items you have bought + the shipping charges. This I know because ive been charged extra for goods before... saying this IT also depends who the seller ships your items with... from the US ... UPS, FedEx & USPS are all treated different from Australian customs❗❗❗
Im guessing this would be the same from the UK.

nils wrote:For parts over a $1000,

Most vw places will do freeshipping in the US
send it to a friend, then have them send it to you

disclaimer: I have never done this for the purpose of tax evasion


GOLD 😂😂😂

PorscheKombi - rumour has it... if you do buy items O/S & for some reason they reach $1350 etc etc over $1000 ... you can always ask the seller to declare the goods are ONLY worth $999.99 or less (under $1k).

I read this somewhere once😂🤪
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

amazeer Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,029 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#960974
nils wrote:For parts over a $1000,

Most vw places will do freeshipping in the US
send it to a friend, then have them send it to you

disclaimer: I have never done this for the purpose of tax evasion
There are a host of mail forwarding companies in the US. I have used them a few times for my running shoes. Brooks dont allow their retailers to send OS because they lose minimum 50% profit I presume. If I get the shoes on sale they can land here at less than half price sometimes including shipping. And if I can talk a few friends into buying shoes at the same time it is cheaper again.

Not saying they are the cheapest company but shipito was the one I randomly picked a couple of years ago. When they receive my package they send me an email of the package. For $2 they will open it and take photos of the contents. They then give me a host of different shipping and insurance options.

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#960996
68AutoBug wrote:Did CB Performance add the freight into the cost of parts on the docket??

LEE
Yes they did initially as they didn't have a price break up, just the total price i paid. Thats why customs withheld the package initially, as the total cost price (including shipping) was over a grand.

But they wanted an invoice if i wanted to prove the 'goods value' was less than $1000 to be tax excempt, which it was. So what they saw on the invoice i sent was that the goods value was less than $1000, which excluded the postage value.

Fair cop though, goods value is goods value, postage value is postage value, and postage is a service not a 'goods' as such. In my case which is the only case of customs withholding a parcel, they were fair and straight forward. Very slow though...
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!