I recieved a call today about a Trike Kit I bought from America about the import duties, I was told I would have to pay 10% of cost + a further 10% Customs Value duties????, This seems strange to Me.

I know I have to pay the Gst on Import but are the other charges rights???.

I believe anything over 1k inc shipping incurrs a customs duty mate.

www.customs.gov.au/site/page5549.asp#Duty

 

Btw, there's a "contact us" page on that site whiich has email and (better yet) a 1300 number for a quick, exact answer.

GST is applied on the cost of the goods, plus freight and any insurance @ 10%

A Trike kit is classifiable in the tariff to 8708.99.99 (83) other parts (depending on whats included) - there is 5% duty on the FOB value - unless you can get a certificate of US origin from the supplier, in which case they could be eligiable for duty free status under the USFTA agreement.

Spoke with Customs they said 10% gst on purchase value which I was aware of & could be another 5% on Duties, If I can supply a Certificate of Manufacture It may be less or even no Duties charge at all, Have emailed supplier to try & get a Certificate of Manufacture as this would save me over $1000.

The Manufacturer came through with a Certificate of Manufacture, They were really suprised as they said they have never supplied one before & they have sold many units to Australia.

Just goes to show if You dont ask You will never know, Now the ball is in Customs Hands to decide how much extra if any they will charge.

Mine was $7700.00 Roughly $1000 gst /broker fees Trying to sort out the extra 5% Duties, Hopefully with the cert the manufacturer supplied they'll reduce it if not wave the fees altogether.

I had to pay 10% on $2800 last week, wasn't expecting it because I buy so much stuff from overseas. This was my first >$1000 import though, so I should have known. Lesson learnt. I will ask for that certificate of manufacture in future, for large value purchases. Feels like your being fleeced though.

If there was a local option available of the same quality I would have been all over it, They say if no local option is available they may offer a reduction - So I feel like I am being penalized just because there isn't anything available locally.

This is what the Brokers quoted to handle all the import paperwork which is fine, For this price I dont want the hassle of having to deaal with Customs & I figure by using a broker things will go more smoothly & allow me to get the kit more quickly.

Guys,
for future reference you want to be asking for a certificate of origin. (for goods made wholly in the USA)

With the US / Australian free trade agreement in place, manufacturers who can supply certificates of origin for goods imported into Australia, will assist in the customs duty for the importer being reduced to 0%
(gst is still payable)

Yes.. I'm a customs broker.