I'm contemplating buying a watch located in the USA. I'm in Australia. Value will be right around $1200 AUD. Can anyone clarify if I will be required to pay import duty? My understanding is that our Free Trade Agreement with America should make the transaction duty-free, but I'm uncertain if I'm reading it correctly.

Help, anyone?

 

If it's coming by standard USPS/EMS with tracking/signondelivery/insurance you should be fine.

If it's by Fedex or other courier, who knows?

I've never been hit with any taxes or duty on stuff coming in.

 

Fedex for this one. Thanks for your help!

Anyone else have something to add?

 

The FTA is I believe 800USD/1000AUD threshold for duty-free. Anything else and you will need to pay duties/customs. If it's FedEx they should be able to clarify with you and assist in sorting out customs as needed.

 

This is my experience also. Everything send USPS over AU $ 1000.00 you 'll be charged 10% GST over the full amount plus roughly $ 110.00 admin costs.
Having said that, I have had one item come through valued over the $ 1000.00 threshold without being charged. Luck of the draw I call it.
The Australian Customs website explains it all.

 

Over $1000 you pay import duty+GST+handling charge
On $1200 that's Value of goods $1200+Postage say $35 +Insurance say $20+import duty $60 + GST $131.35. Total is $ 191.50
Info from this site https://www.wwcf.com.au/customs-duty-import-goods-and-service-tax-calculator
Hope that helps

 

Thanks everyone! After contacting the seller directly I was told that the import duty could potentially reach 1/3 the price of the watch so I passed in favour of something a little more affordable but still lovely in my opinion.

 

Cant you make a deal with the seller so you pay him in 2 parts so the watch will seem "cheaper" for the taxes?You pay him 900$ first time and second time the rest of the money....but I guess there is problem in trust here.

 

Do you really think suggesting he commits tax fraud is good advice?

 

Buy the watch and strap/bracelet in separate transactions maybe as it’s close to the limit maybe? Would that be legal? I think people do that with houses/fixtures and fittings when close to stamp duty threshold.

Edit: Probably two lots of postage though.

 

Not happening.

No need for further (mis)advice, I've already purchased something I think is equally nice but comes under the threshold.

 

Okay I forgot you are "slaves" of the rules.I would prefer to do something that the governments does not take any profit.

 

I'd rather do something fully legally and not have 'being an anarchist git' on my conscience.

 

Yeah! Right on! Fuckin Govmints, takin all them profits and spending them on hospitals, schools, roads, defence, border control, R&D etc etc.

The bastards!

 

.............on expensive cars, on expensive trips for themselves,on their expensive habits etc etc...

 

Whereas you live off grid in a log cabin in the woods, dine on squirrel and hoard guns for the coming apocalypse?

 

I am not advertising anything ...I just gave an advice...I thought it would help him so he'll not pay.He can either choose it or let it go it's his decision in the end.

 

EXACTLY....how you found it?

 

10% GST and a lodgement fee of about $20 via FedEx

Mail it's like a lottery if you will pay.

As most have said. Lying to a federal Government agencey is nearly as dumb as posting how to dodge said fees on your computer let alone a public forum.

( full disclosure I work in the game for the gov )