matt13b

Just thought I would let you know if you don't already what a f**k around it can be bringing in your own car part into the country. When I was in Japan in september, I went to veilside and bought from them a c/fibre bonnet. I paid them the $1k australian plus around $200 for them to ship it here. The was a 3 month backlog on their bonnet orders so they only put it on the ship January 22nd and it arrived here on the 7th February. This is where the fun started. I called customs and they said I have to first pay P&O shipping some dock charge of $250 before I go to the airport and fill out customs forms. After paying P&O I went to customs and was told that I can't "clear" it myself,I would need a Customs broker to do it. So I hire a customs broker(another $120) and was told I need to contact Veilside in Japan to get a whole range of documents from them.They speak about as much english as I do Japanese, so that was a nightmare. Got the forms,sent them to broker.5 days later he says they never came.So I take copies of them to him in person.A few more days and P&O inform me that if I do not get hood from the dock then I will be charged $65 per day storage charge. So I tell customs broker it has to happen right away and he says no problem, just need me to pay another $700 in gst and duty taxes! I'm ready to slit my wrists by now and pay it, pick it up today and fitted(luckily) to the car this morning. I can barely look at the stupid thing and obviously will never ever do anything like this again.. Sorry for the boring thread but just feel somebody should feel my pain. (I'll try to put a photo of it up when I can bare to look at it and have time etc.)

takahashi

..................

That is how amazed I am. I am very sorry to hear that, and I am sure it is the custom system is at fault here. Oh I did that before too. Japanparts.com shipped $2000 worth of stuff over over 3 years ago now. Stopped at the Tullamarine, need paper and broker (which is at the site). $50 later I have to pay $600 of tax.

So the moral of the story is:
1) I buy it from an importer like Henry.
2) or ship something small. Less than $1000 AUD (on the invoice value)

IcarusX8

Not a boring thread, it's very informative.

Sorry to hear you went through all that bs. All that money, you could've bought a turbo or two. Honestly, I'd have been slitting my wrists once I discovered my broker doesn't speak my language.

matt13b

The bad part is Taka that it converted to $1031,$31 over the limit!

enforcer

I feel sorry for you too mattdrift...and thankyou for posting this up. Theres a lesson to be learnt here, and you might have saved others from some heartache....

auzoom

There is no way they can FORCE you to use a broker. I have always done it myself.

But as taka said, its always easier to get people who do this sort of stuff everyday to do it for you.

matt13b

Thanks guys. By the way enforcer I have had a few sketchy experiences with eurocars (if it is artarmon you mean). Hope it is all sorted out soon..
Andrew, they told me in no uncertain terms that I needed a broker and when I protested they brought their superior over who told me I would need to do a 2 week course to do it myself! I could have jumped the counter but I didnt want to brake the law(enforcer)..

auzoom

Matt, I can only think that there are different rules in NSW. However considering that customs is a federal department I cant see why that would be the case.

I have brought in a few things from O/S some over and some under the $1000AUD threshold. On all occassions I was sent paperwork and so long as it was completed properly I got my stuff released and had a courier pick it up or picked it up myself.

Can I suggest you call customs head office and ask them what the process is. Dont tell them what has happened, just what it should or could be.

Cheers

Andrew

e5cape

i don't know y they calculate $700 in duty and gst

duty is about 5% of cost of items = [$50]
then gst is 10% x( cost of items + duty + cost of delivery
= 10% x ($1000+ $50 + $250)

that roughly 15% , so u should be paying only about $180 in duty and gst

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549#e989

and u can self clear by fill out http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/re...clarations.pdf

Andy Wana

Guys and girls, I'll need your expert opinion on a similar subject.

I am about to purchase some goods from the States and they may end up costing more than 2 grand in total. It will be delivered via USPS Priority Mail.
Will the goods be subjected to duties/taxes once they are in Australia?
Should I get the seller to send the items in batches that are less than 1000 AUD?

timbo

Yeah, there's something w a a y screwy going on here, especially with the duty and GST calculation. Make sure you have all the paperwork, call Customs on 1300 363 263, and makes sure you understand how this came about. The broker sounds like a newt!

Revolver

Seems to me like you've been ripped off by that broker Matt...

ASH8

my 2 cents..

The best way to import (parts etc) into Australia is by their postal systems..

The goods total (declaration by the supplier) can not exceed $1000.00 AUD as auzoom says otherwise GST and "paperwork"/brokers, will kill any savings.

Don't get smart and think you can send two parcels at around the same time under the $1000 each as Australian customs will add the value both together, you are better having them sent separate at least 5 days apart.

ASH8

YES TO BOTH!
But like I said, Australian Customs will add both batches together if they are sent/arrive in Australia at the same time, and if it is over the $1000.00 AUD you will PAy!

Andy Wana

Thanks for the valuable advice, Ash8. Much appreciated, mate.
I'll talk to the seller and we'll see what solutions we can come up with.
I want the goods, he wants the sale ... we are both keen to get this sale happening.

auzoom

Please remember that the price of duty is applied 1st then on top of the duty inclusive price, GST is calculated. Also, the price is calculated as the shipping inclusive price.

As a general rule Duty is calculated at 10% and obviously GST is 10% however without the relevant paperwork you cant classify the object and figure the appropriate duty rate, which may be less or more (I think it can be more than 10%).

Andy, I would suggest the same as I did to Matt which is to assess from Customs if there is law that states you have to be a registered broker to move things through customs. If not I personally would do it myself.

Ash's point is also very valid. If you can, post the items in total values < $1000 and make sure they are a few weeks apart to stop them being bundled.

Cheers

Andrew

matt13b

They say the extra charge(included in that $700 tax charge) was because they had to have it quarantine inspected as Veilside did not provide me with a packing authority or something??

JAT1

you could always have half sent to a mate/s address so you can gather quite an amount of $$'s worth of kit at the same time

Andy Wana

Another great idea. The downside is that I might have to cough up the shipping cost twice (which may or may not end up more than 1 shipping) to have them sent to 2 different addresses.

We'll see how it goes from the seller's end.

Japanparts.com

Correct: surface shipments Australian Customs wants to see a Packing Certificate stating that *no straw* or *2nd hand packing materials* were used in the shipment, signed by the people that actually did the packing ( Japanparts typically have this notarized by Tokyo Chamber of Commerce )

If your Supplier didn't do that as part of the export process, then you'll pay a hefty quarantine/inspection fee Oz-side

If Veilside didn't supply you the shipping documents prior to your freight arriving, there's something way wrong there too

Details like this separate the Men from the Boys when it comes to exporting

Best

GW
JapanpartsLLC

BTW; here's the Math to Sydney today for an FRP Hood from VEILSIDE for an RX8

018-SE3P-004 VSD1-GT FRP Hood (60) days
1 JP Ą82,600.00 AU $830.38
Parts Total JP Ą82,600.00 AU $830.38

LESS 10% RX8CLUB Discount: AU $747.34
Your freight is sent Fully Insured.

To Seaport ( Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne, you choose ): JP Ą30,352.00 AU $305.13 ( + 25 days )

747.34 + 305.13 = AU $1,052.47

Now if we cross our fingers and the exchange rate *slightly* improves and we can land that for AU$1,000, Tax is NIL+

You'll still have to arrange clearance and pickup from the Port tho'

Best

matt13b

I dont even want to think about it anymore.As I said before-never again.next time it is Japan parts all the way!

DrewMan

ahhh importing goods from overseas.....very stressful if its your first time and you use your credit card so much you memorise the numbers!

ahhhhhh memories....


im gonna get a set of rims and turbo kit soon from japan (end of yearish) and im DEFINATELY going to get it brokered because its too much of a hassle to clear it yourself.

i think i wasted a tank of petrol and 2 days trying to do it myself!

ASH8

Relax mate...it is not really that bad..

Is it better to pay for two separate consignment (freight) costs then pay duty, GST and possible brokers, etc etc.

I purchase regularly from Japan, China, Hong Kong, USA and UK.
I just use their local postal services and keep it under $1000.00 AU.
I have never had a lost item, an issue with customs or postal services.

Phone Australian customs if you want more info, they are very helpful and tell it like it is.

BTW, Normal imported "postal" goods are all scanned (X rayed), however,
as long as it is under the $1000 bucks (no duty) they do not keep any records. That's from a customs guy I called.
It's only IF the processors see more than one parcel allocated to the same address they bundle the TOTAL cost, the goods can even be from separate countries and exporters at that time.

4 or 5 working days is enough time between deliveries not weeks, as suggested use another friends address or even a neighbors a few doors down.

ASH8

Obviously if you are importing a bonnet, rims, or really large heavy items then your shipping method needs more thought.

Oh, and most postal services I mentioned offer an online tracking service.
That service can depend on what type of plan you opt/pay for.
Like most things it cost's you more as does insurance.

matt13b

My wounds are healing, thanks mate..