Hi! Some of you might know that I am looking to buy a digital camera at the moment. I have been looking on eBay and have found a couple of the camera that I would like to buy, and they are going cheap! The thing is, although they guy selling them is based in Australia, the goods come from Hong Kong. I have been looking on web sites etc, including Customs, about what sort of import duty or GST I can expect to pay if I purchased a camera for about $450, but I can't find any information! If someone could help that would be very much appreciated, as there are a couple of auctions running at the moment that I would like to bid for!

Oh, also, If i 'say' that it is going to be a gift ( ) will this make any difference to the amount of duty or GST payable!

Thanks in advance if you can help me

Cheers...Mitch

Well first off, about 10% on camera's and things...... If you say it is a gift and they find out it ISN'T the sender will be slugged by customs because he has to sign a declarion stating that what he wrote on the customs form is 100% true.... he's in big trouble if they decide to follow it up, and he's most likely going to be pretty pissed at you..... lol
I don't know what happens to you if you tell him to put it as a gift and he sends it...... anyway, anything over $400 will get duty, regardless of what it is, gift, etc, still get charged for that....
Aaron

Keep in mind your shipping will be atleast $60 to start off with. As far as import duty goes, you may be lucky, 450 is around the kinda place where the government will charge import duty, and charge GST on the amount. you should expect to pay upto $60 on import duty and tax (please remember that amount is a rough esptimate, i cant exactly recall what you are charged on import of electronic goods, since i havent had to pay any duty or tax since the rules changed)

[ July 17, 2003, 10:03: Message edited by: SomeFReaK ]

Thanks for your quick replies! I am aware of the shipping component and you are dead on the money, to ship the camera from HK will be $58 (Australian currency). So basically I am just looking for a duty estimate to work out if I am going to be better of purchasing the camera overseas, also bearing in mind if the Camera stuffs up, I will have to send it back to HK, which could cost me big $$$ in the long run. Is there anything stopping me just taking the camera, under its warranty period, to my nearest local repairer. Sorry, bit OT, but I new to purchasing off eBay and just want to know exactly what I'm up for before I committ my $$$

Cheers...Mitch

It usually works out to be about 15% for the combined import duties and taxes. Also, local places often won't touch imported gear, though some may not mind.

15% import duty and 10% GST afaik - and that is calculated on the total cost - including freight

if it is marked as a warranty replacement, I think you'll be cool though - no duties.

I did just this, imported a $600 or so Canon a40 through an eBay dude, from japan I think. Worked out around only 400 AU, you have the right idea =)

I remember going through the whole import drama, he eventually dodge'd it by the Yen value being only around $200 AU.

For one you can say its a gift, used goods, or warranty return, I think this gets around it.

There's a different limit based on ground mail or air mail. Airmail allows a greater value before imposing customs etc, UPS air is good.

Go check
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/index.cfm?n...d=670&area_id=5

I think airmail limit is $1000 free
Ground mail, $250

quote:

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Originally posted by eMitch:
[b]Thanks for your quick replies! I am aware of the shipping component and you are dead on the money, to ship the camera from HK will be $58 (Australian currency). So basically I am just looking for a duty estimate to work out if I am going to be better of purchasing the camera overseas, also bearing in mind if the Camera stuffs up, I will have to send it back to HK, which could cost me big $$$ in the long run. Is there anything stopping me just taking the camera, under its warranty period, to my nearest local repairer. Sorry, bit OT, but I new to purchasing off eBay and just want to know exactly what I'm up for before I committ my $$$

Cheers...Mitch
Also, that customs link provided above is actually for something different, it doesn't cover regular items shipped in from o/s. $400 AUS is the limit for anything...... not $1000 as it states - Ring them and ask They CAN charge on whatever they like also, $400 aus is a "rough" estimate of what they start charging on!!!