Rogier
Rogier Willems
If I would buy a used Lieca from a dealer in Australia and have it shipped to California. Do I have to pay any taxes???
Import from Australia
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john_s
Well-known
My understanding is that the item would be free of Australian GST (like VAT, charged at 10%), because it's being exported. So the item's advertised price (which normally includes GST) can be divided by 1.1, or in other words reduced by 9.09%.
Don't know about any import taxes to the USA though.
Don't know about any import taxes to the USA though.
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
As far as I know, you pay the price asked by the seller. No tax calculations involved. Then, when the item enters the US, customs will decide on how much import duties you have to pay. When you would live in the EU, the import tax is calculated as a percentage of the declared value. In addition to that, you'll have to pay VAT (19% in the Netherlands). I've paid amounts up to 30% of the price I paid to the seller for items bought in the USA, Japan or Australia.
wotalegend
Well-known
I am an Australian accountant with many years experience in the plant & machinery auction business, so I have had plenty of experience with the financial side of the export of second-hand goods. If you buy from a registered business in Australia they are obliged to charge you 10% GST no matter where in the world you are. If you can provide written evidence that the goods have actually been exported within 60 days after the sale you can claim a refund of the GST from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Some businesses, such as ours was, have a private ruling from the ATO that they (the business) can retain the GST until the 60-day period has expired and can refund the GST to the buyer within that period if the buyer produces satisfactory evidence of export. This makes it easier for the buyer. I am afraid I have no knowledge of what might befall you at the US end with regard to taxes and duties.
I've posted a bunch of cameras to the US from Japan, and AFAIK no duty is charged if the package is labeled "camera" or "used camera" etc. but lenses fall into a different category, so if the package is marked "lens" or "used lens" duty may need to be paid.
P.S. I forgot to add, when it comes to duties charged by US Customs, it doesn't matter what country the camera was posted from.
P.S. I forgot to add, when it comes to duties charged by US Customs, it doesn't matter what country the camera was posted from.
john_s
Well-known
That's interesting. I notice that at least one photo business in Australia (Vanbar) advertises local retail price incl GST and also "export price" without GST. I don't know how they administer it.
Rogier
Rogier Willems
They might take care of it just like in Europe where retail prices a always including the sales tax. So there is no add-on during the check-out.
Its the retailers responsibility to calculate and pay the sales tax. Since tax is value added.
Thanks for the feedback about taxes added for importing used camera's into the US. In EU they are much harsher. I am Dutch but live in California and really can tell the difference. Just the fact that we don't get charged a sales tax while ordering online from an other state amuses me every time again 🙂 🙂 🙂
Its the retailers responsibility to calculate and pay the sales tax. Since tax is value added.
Thanks for the feedback about taxes added for importing used camera's into the US. In EU they are much harsher. I am Dutch but live in California and really can tell the difference. Just the fact that we don't get charged a sales tax while ordering online from an other state amuses me every time again 🙂 🙂 🙂
peterm1
Veteran
In Australia GST would not normally be paid unless the item is being sold by a business. if it were a private individual selling an item of his personal collection that is normally exempt as I understand it. So check who is selling it and then inquire as to their position on the GST component.
