importing items to Australia

[bindook]

I am looking at purchasing a few items from OS , does any1 no what the max amount the item can be b4 it gets taxed , is it still $1000 ? If so then what % do u pay when its ovr 1000 ? I tried looking on the Australian customs site but like the gov its very hard to follow.


Thanks
Michael

[davek]

Hi Michael

I have bought a few items from OS. First a word of caution. Insist on the sender putting the correct price on the documentation.
I ordered a cyclic and collective from FlightLink and the price wasnt clearly indicated on the form. I was contacted by the shipping agent and asked for the price. At the time my computer had decided to blow up and couldnt access email or files. It was delayed weeks and was nearly sent back to the states. He shipper said that if an item was incorrectly priced it was deemed to be an offence and Customs would then have a mark against your name for any other items coming into the country. (Even though it wasnt your fault)

For my CNC machine, I paid the following on $3000.00
Customs Charges $ 420
Terminal fee $142
Customs Agency Fee $125
CMR compliance fee $20

Cartage to my house $145 ( I live waaaay up north and its a big heavy package)
Local Fuel Surcharge $13.12
Admin Fee $30

total all up $944

Not particulary cheap and I wonder what half of those charges are??? What was with the local fuel fee?

Anyway it still ended up being cheaper than trying to buy one, if you could find a CNC, in Australia.

I cant find the invoice for the flightlink gear so I cant give you a price but it certainly wasnt up there around the 30% mark. And the shipping price was already paid for when I ordered the item.

Other stuff I have ordered in the hundreds of $ range have just come straight to me.

Hope that helps. Just remember to play nicely with the customs people and they will play nicely back.

[shafian]

Hi dave,

Good to see you went with the decision of buying the CNC. From memory i think it was the shark cnc you were getting right? How is it?

[bindook]

Thanks Dave by the sounds of it its still ovr $1000 threshold u get taxed

[davek]

Yep went with the Shark. Its good. Bit frustrating living remote as I need 'stuff' which I cant get here and so have to go to Cairsn (2000km away) to get it.

Been practicing with MDF and made a few bits and pieces, but waiting for the < 1mm bits to arrive by mail to try out cutting text etc