10 replies to this topic

[hatchssv8]

Hi Gents,

Has anyone imported parts from the US in their own name and completed the necessary customs and duty form?

 

I am about to purchase and contemplating doing the paperwork myself....or....if I have to, get a broker to do it for me.

 

Your thoughts and experience would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks, Hatch

Edited by hatchssv8, 04 May 2023 - 09:32 PM.

[rexy]

Is it coming by container?

 

The times I have had big things like engines and gearboxes come from OS via boat I have paid someone else to deal with all the paperwork.

[goxu1]

I've bought a bunch of tractor parts and used Cheetah Imports in Melbourne
I'm going to use them again soon.

[Bigfella237]

I have done it all myself in the past, but not for probably twenty-odd years now so things may have changed (but I doubt it).

 

As I recall it was an absolute PITA, I believe Australian Customs made me register as an importer before they would even speak to me, and there's a mountain of paperwork involved with both registering and with the imported goods themselves, and everything took forever!

 

I remember them sending out one form in the post, then I'd complete and return that, then they'd send another form, then I'd complete and return that, then they'd send an invoice, and I'd pay that, etc. etc., and a week or two between each go-around.

 

I'm pretty sure they stuffed me around for over a month, even after it had landed in Australia!

 

And that was without any quarantine considerations, if you're importing anything with any biologicals (including a wooden pallet, or roadkill stuck in a tyre tread, or mouse droppings, or any kind of insect infestation) or asbestos (or probably a long list of other things) then I'd reckon you could add at least another month or six weeks to the above.

 

So if you're in a hurry (or unless they've improved their procedure) it may be worth paying a broker to do it for you? Some freight companies used to handle all that side of things for you as well, as do Australia Post.

 

Is Jeff from Cali still around here somewhere?

[Statler]

My items from Summit come through without a hitch. 

 

I used to import a lot of guitars prior to the 1K tax . I was Customs raped on the first one & i learnt my lesson . 

[Bigfella237]

That's a weird setup now, that $1k limit business.

 

If the total value (including shipping) is under AU$1,000 then it's up to the sender to pre-pay the GST, but if they don't, then customs don't bother chasing it either. It's like it's 'optional' (of course they'd never tell you that)!

 

I'd guess that chasing all the items under $1k probably costs them more than they could recoup, or takes more manpower than they have, so they just don't bother.

 

Ebay & Amazon always pay the GST in advance (which were Gerry Bloody Harvey's main targets to begin with), but I've bought stuff from private sellers in the States and I tell them not pay anything in advance, and it comes straight through in the mail.

 

It still needs a customs declaration attached or it'll get stopped, or at the very least, opened and inspected. And anything in a metal case (like "Steelbook" Blu-rays) seems to get torn open and inspected more often than not (I'm guessing that happens with anything their x-ray machines have trouble seeing through). And they're not very bloody careful about how they open and reseal the packaging either... bastards.

[hatchssv8]

My items from Summit come through without a hitch. 

 

Best news I can get............did you need to arrange the payment of duties/taxes prior to receiving your goods?

[yel327]

When you order from Summit or Jegs there will normally be freight choices in the checkout process that include duty and taxes. Same when you purchase from US based Ebay sellers - Ebay will estimate the freight (only estimated as it is based upon the exchange rate at that moment) and also quote the duty (often 5%) and taxes (GST).

 

Add some stuff to your cart at Summit and "go to cart" and have a look.

 

On the odd occasion I have had people send me stuff and it hasn't been pre-paid duty and taxes. It gets held at the Post Office and you have to pay the duty and tax before it is released.

[Statler]

Best news I can get............did you need to arrange the payment of duties/taxes prior to receiving your goods?

I didn't recall seeing any extra charges . Perhaps they are incorporated into the freight ? 

 

All i know is that i got a Eaton Trutrac on my doorstep for $550 !  

[skap]

I didn't recall seeing any extra charges . Perhaps they are incorporated into the freight ?

All i know is that i got an Eaton Trutrac on my doorstep for $550 !

Far out.. I paid $1200!

[hatchssv8]

Completed purchase with Summit

Quoted 2-5 business days delivery to my door from their shop in Ohio (UPS Expedited)

UPS submitted all Duty and GST amounts via the N10 (UPS 'brokerage' was AUD$100, of that, $88 is the gvt charge to submit the declaration.)

UPS delivered the item about half an hour ago to my front door (residential). Undamaged packaging/unopened from supplier.

Today is the 5th business day since I ordered and paid for the item.

 

Note: My Experience with Summit= Best auto parts retailer I have dealt with so far.  Salesperson knew his stuff, made positive recommendations re shipping etc. and Summit applied a competitors discount to my purchase.  As people write on ebay AAA++++

 

Summit purchases over AUD1000 do not list the duty or GST on their invoice.

 

Thanks to all above that chimed in with your responses, again, very much appreciated. 

 

Special thanks Lenny and Col

 

Time to unbox now