Need advice from Oz RFFers re: purchase from US

[fixbones]

Hey guys,

I am planning to purchase a Zeiss Ikon ZM bundle from the US. Unfortunately, the total cost will be more than AUD 1000 which means that i'd charged the 10% tax (fact of life that i accept)

Just wondering if you guys have any advice for me regarding preferred postal company, tax, etc etc...........

 

[dan denmark]

some resellers have been known to get it wrong on the shipping docs. must be the workload backup. just can't get good help these days.

 

[mfunnell]

My memory of the one occasion I had to go through this is that the paperwork involved in clearing customs is a PITA. I don't have a detailed recollection, but I believe I downloaded a "form in many pages" as a PDF from the Australian Customs Service web site (www.customs.gov.au, from memory), printed it, filled it in and faxed it and all my assorted paperwork from the sale off to a number, somewhere, I was required to send it to. That sounds straightforward enough but I recall it turned out not to be, due to stuff-ups with the correct fax number, pages going missing etc.

A seller who was able to split the order into, say, separate camera and lens components such that each was under the magic $1,000 might be handy. Even one who accidently (of course) filled in the cost of a used rather than new item on the declaration...

...Mike

 

[carlb]

Back in 2002 I had to pay duty on a boxload of books I sent back from the US. I received a letter saying I could either pay X amount for duty etc and collect my stuff or I could disagree with what they had assessed and fight them over it. It wasn't worth the hassle so I paid up and collected my package. Pretty painless as far as it went.

But that was nearly 10 years ago so it's extremely likely that the rules and procedures might have changed .

My suggestion would be to have the seller ship your order in separate packages , each under the $1,000 limit.

Re who to use for postage, any items I've bought from the US or the UK have come through the normal postal system without any problems (but get them to use registered mail and insure it anyway just in case) so I'm not sure it's worth the extra cost of using a courier (and couriers are very, very expensive even with items that only weigh a couple of kilos)

 

[Never Satisfied]

Just gone throught the experiece in the last week with my 75mm Lux. The handling fee was about $80 plus the 10% GST.

You have to remember that if the seller makes a mistake on the forms at his end he commits an offence and if the goods are lost or damaged and you have under valued them, then you'll had trouble making a claim.

Most US seller will be hesitant to alter the declared value because the potential penalty they face.

Be safe and pay the tax.

Andrew.

 

[wongyboi]

Using USPS has a chance of getting through customs without being charged the 10% tax. Lots of incidences of this happening when I researched your same question and I've been told on other forums. A few people have ordered from B&H etc and not taxed. Not exactly sure why it occurs but is to do with the lack of communication between AUSPOST and USPS, even with items clearly marked $1000 on the package. This is purely a chance thing and I wouldn't rely on it.

 

[alan davus]

Over the last couple of years I've purchased from abroad, amongst others, a new Leica M6 ttl, a new Hex 35 UC and a Zeiss 18 Distagon all which individually were over the Oz$1000 mark. They all made it through without customs poking their noses in. I'd factored in paying the GST and just saw it as a bonus when they got through scott free. Good luck.