Need advice on buying overseas from Australia

  • avatar

    by: vashumbas
    New SaleHoo Member
    3 posts

    Need advice on buying overseas from Australia

    Posted 9 Feb 10 6:32 am.

    Hi all, I have recently made two orders from the US and UK to Australia under $1000 each. Each order is quantity of twelve items. I don't have a registered business name so obviously have no abn, I am wondering if I will have any trouble getting clearance to receive these orders. I have recently been told that if customs believes my items are for resale and not for private use that they can confiscate or apply heavy taxes. Is there any truth to this? I am going to register a business in the near future and these items I am ordering are to check out a few suppliers to see if they are worth using for when I set up. The US package is coming UPS global express and tracking says it is at customs since yesterday morning. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
  • avatar

    by: grace-salehoo
    SaleHoo Master Member
    334 posts

    Re: Need advice on buying overseas from Australia

    Posted 10 Feb 10 5:16 am.

    Are these packages arriving at about the same time?

    If so, then Australian Customs will combine the total value of the packages.

    'All goods (except for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages) may be imported duty and tax free if their value is $1,000 or less.

    Note: However, where there are multiple packages to the same addressee in Australia from a single consignor overseas that arrive at about the same time, then the value of all packages will be combined for duty and tax assessment purposes.'

    You'll find the info on this page useful:

    link hidden

    Grace

  • avatar

    by: vashumbas
    New SaleHoo Member
    3 posts

    Re: Need advice on buying overseas from Australia

    Posted 10 Feb 10 7:43 am.

    Thanks Grace, The packages are from different companies. Does this make any difference to the rule that customs will combine the value of multiple packages for duty or tax?
    I checked the tracking from ups for the first parcel from the usa and it still says it is being processed by customs. Its been three full days now that it has said this. Should I be concerned at all? It was sent through ups global express.
    I know when I send express post overseas it usually arrives in the country and is delivered within a day or two.
    Thanks
  • avatar

    by: fudjj
    SaleHoo Staff
    2969 posts

    Re: Need advice on buying overseas from Australia

    Posted 10 Feb 10 8:30 am.

    Customs can hold packages up for 48 hours without giving a reason, but 3 days is extreme. I would be contacting them to find out why they haven't yet cleared the package.

    Marc Ransom

    Community Manager
    SaleHoo.com

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