Import costs of TE into Australia?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 01, 2014, 10:27:03 pm
content: I am looking at buying a second hand vna, which will be over the AUD1000 which I believe is the cut off that Australian customs uses to start charging GST and other duties. I have tried to look at the customs website to see what they charge but can't easily find it.Has anyone imported electronic goods (1000+aud) into Australia and what were the charges?Thanks Rob

author: skennedy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2014, 11:12:21 pm
content: Under the customs tariffs 2012http://customs.gov.au/tariff/tariff2012.asp#Schedule1the VNA will fall under category 9030 (electronic measurement equipment) which attacts 0% tarriff. So it looks like it will just GST, plus collection fee payable to the courier and any other annoying fees for them collecting the GST. I've never imported equipment just boxes of components from Digi-key etc.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 12:23:31 am
content: Many thanks, I thought it was in chapter 85, Rob

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 12:31:53 am
content: It likely it won't even get checked at the border and you might get it without any charges/fees.If not there may be additional Customs and agents fees on top of the GST.Some sellers will provide a reduced value invoice for the shipping documentation to reduce/exempt the border fees.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 01:28:41 am
content: Ebay will automatically calculate import fees if seller uses their global shipping program.

author: TSL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 02:50:48 am
content: If it comes by any courier service they are duty bound to collect GST on the invoice amount. That being said if they put a lower value on it , it will probably come straight in.If it comes by post , sometimes it just sails straight through

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 07:04:03 am
content: Encouraging responses, I had fears of a 20% duty in addition to the gst, an HP 8753 might get the nod.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 07:12:05 am
content: Quote from: skennedy on December 01, 2014, 11:12:21 pmFor Digikey parts there is a duty, forget the value off-hand, it's pretty small IIRCBut yeah, at least GST + processing fee of some description.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 07:14:44 am
content: Quote from: TSL on December 02, 2014, 02:50:48 amYes, the courier companies willalwaysflag it, it's part of their procedure.And BTW, it's AU$1000 (after whatever conversion they apply)includingthe shipping cost.QuoteOften, yes.

author: simmiv
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 10:32:59 am
content: Last July I got sent the FLIR E4 from TE.. With shipping it came to a total of USD1,003.- It was stopped by customs and I had to do all the paperwork to clear it through. You do it online yourself if you don't want to go through a customs broker. It takes quite some time, so allow 2-3 weeks of sending them stuff and getting responses etc.. I had to pay AUD156.42 which consisted of AUD107.57 GST and AUD48.85 for processing charge by Customs. i.e. this is where you do all the work and they process itSimmi

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 10:57:32 am
content: Quote from: simmiv on December 02, 2014, 10:32:59 amYes the additional costs of importing for the private individual can be an incentive to find a local supplier, especially with larger amounts of money and the delays in getting your goods.However there is only one processing charge each time you import which can make it worth getting several things from your supplier in the same shipment.

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2014, 06:01:59 pm
content: TE point blank refused to send me a Flir E4 due to export restrictions but I ended up getting it from them via a forwarding service (PriceUSA). They sent it as second hand goods from memory and no customs charges from the couriers.Warranty is the only issue under these circumstances.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2016, 11:40:56 am
content: For Fedex, DHL the processing fee is around ~$70. If you wish to clear it yourself, you need to register as a custom client. Its best to look up local broker, their fees are much better if you don't want fedex.