Blad stuck in Australian Customs Dept.

[paul ewins]

As others have said, the $1000 threshold is the problem. I copped this after buying a Nikon LS8000 scanner, but when I gave them a call it turned out I could download all of the forms, fill them out, scan them and email them back. They were happy to answer my questions over the phone when I got to the ambiguous bits of the form.

That was a lot easier than when I had a replacement gearbox shipped in for one of my cars (it was cheaper than rebuilding it here). That came in by airfreight and I had to go to customs at the airport, fill out the forms then collect it from the bonded warehouse. It went smoothly but still took all morning.

 

[hoffy]

Greg.....don't mean to rub it in, but I received my new SLR this morning. Was sent from San Fransisco the week before Christmas (but with a declared value of $150, its not a problem)...... OK, I'm hiding now......

 

[Steff1]

A $1000 threshold is fantastic! In Norway we have a US $34 threshold, anything above is hit with 25% VAT + a hefty handling fee.

I usually moan about this to postal workers (not that they are the ones who decides this stuff) whenever I pay the fees, but now I also have an excuse to complain online to you guys.

As others have said, the $1000 threshold is the problem.

Next time I'll add something productive to the debate. I promise.

Enjoy your new Hasselblad when it gets through customs!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

You should receive a Express Post letter from Australian Customs with information on the goods they have embargoed, together with the GST payable and any discretionary penalty. It's best to go to Customs where the camera is being held (in Melbourne, that's near Tullamarine; not sure where it is near you in Adelaide) and present all identity and invoices relating to the purchase as this can reduce the likelihood of Customs imposing a penalty. Naturally, the process of release is slower if you deal with Customs by mail than calling in person with all documentation they will want to see. I must say it's been held back quite some time so maybe there is an additional problem somewhere.

The $1,000 threshold is very generous, but it traps many photography goods coming off eBay whether new or second hand, GST must be payable at port in Australia — and Customs is watching also for fraud between New Zealand and Australia and USA-Australia (particularly "re-birthed" stolen photographic equipment). Noteworthy is that after July 2004, Customs cracked down on Hong Kong eBay sellers for not adding-on GST on purchase when exporting to Australia. GST on import will be calculated by Customs as Goods Cost+GST+Freight/postage+any other charges deemed necessary=final cost payable by you at Collection, so on a $1700 purchase, possibly $170 to $200 GST+costs.

 

[Mike Wilde]

I have lived both sides of the Aust and Canada customs issues.

While down in Oz starting in '99 for work for 4 years, my first son, and first grandson on both sides was born. Loving grandparents demanded videos.

For compatible NTSC images (pre digital video days) I bought an about $600US camcorder, and had it mailed to Briz. Then I paid about $300 to spring it free from customs. The GST payent I did not mind, but I paid a whack of duty at the time, and thought, what domestic camcorder manufactureres was I protecting?

In Canada the brokerage fees that some of the courier companies try to impose can outstrip the value of the thing being imported. Mid December 09 I ordered from B&H on Wednesday, and asked for 2 day shipping, since part of the order was to replace a smashed flash tube for a booked weekend shoot. B&H shipped thurs AM, and the courier guy from UPS showed up at 2pm friday. I paid the owig taxes, and no duty charge. Happy day.

The other option for purchase for me is from the US via USPS - Canada Post shipment. Some of the time you will have to pay duty; most of the time taxes. The bad part is that if the vendor is in the west cast of midwest, there seems to be a 4-6 week USPS black hole that packages go into before they get released to Canada Post