Aus is missing out on GST revenue due to imports..........the recommendation has been given to lower the GST free threshold on Imports from $1000 to $500.......lets see if the Govt implement the recommendations !

Well that is going to suck.

Better buy quick when the threshold on imports is $1000, might need to make multiple if that's the case.
Otherwise, smaller orders, more on shipping, going to hurt a lot of small businesses trying to get under the GST threshold.

Lets see what the Government do.

haha nearly everyone I bought from under quote the price less than 300 without me asking anyway.

oh well

As I understand it, the reason the threshold was set @$1000 was when customs did the feasibility study as to the cost of employing the staff to do the paperwork, give them a buildings all over Australia to work from, it was found that the cost of processing each parcel was $100. So therefore if they process an item and receive only $50 then they make a $50 loss.
It's plain and simple business economics. You can't run at a loss. someone has to pick up the shortfall and that would be the taxpayer.
Importers are not affected by GST because when they import the items they pay GST which they then claim back against the GST they collect. Therefore they only end up paying the GST on their profit, which is how the system was originally designed.
You've got to remember all the things that you now pay GST on that you never used to. Things like Gas, electricity, water, the labour charge on your mechanics bill, postage stamps etc.
There were wins and loses with the GST, but as we move to a global market, where the purchaser has more power, retailers need to change with the times.
When a retailer has a fancy top notch store on the high street, he/she pays for that out of their profits. That is by charging you top dollar. No wonder they are crying poor. They have had it too good for too long, and I bet they want us to pay for the short fall in GST revenue too.
Unless of course Customs intend to out source the work, pay minimum wages, and set up in tin sheds to work in. Any thing to please the top end retailers, after all thats how you make huge profits, buy from countries that have workers that are happy with $2 a day.
Don't start me on the mines! 'Gina Whinehart' you've gotta feel sorry for her..................

Totally agree, it is the cost of collecting the GST, still $500 is better that a poke in the eye.

Releasing the federal government's initial response to a task force on so-called "low value parcel processing", Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury said there were "no simple or quick solutions".

While acknowledging the $1000 threshold was high by international standards, he rejected calls for an immediate reduction.

Instead, and in line with the task force's recommendation, Labor will begin preparing business cases and possible implementation plans for reform, with a final response to be released in 2013.

yeah for delays.

yep better than a poke in the eye 5hungee

I have no problem paying the GST,
but i hate that it means reams of paper work and delays for me.

If it just meant a quick call from the freight company, or aus post, and fast payment,
that would be great.
But that is just a pipe dream, when expecting fast service from government or large oganizations.

This was in the courier mail yesterday. a good decision for a change.

Jolly good news

Otherwise up to $100 gst per $1000 purchase does add up.

Maybe if the Australian retailers had decent service then I may buy from them. People buy from the 'net because it is easier. It's about time that Australian suppliers tried internet sales like the rest of the world. Just Kampers is the only VW parts seller with a proper web sales business as all of the others have their head up their arse!