Australia Import Tax - information needed

hey guys
just like to know how much is the aussie imports tax?
someone told me that anything under $1500 there is no import tax but i dont know how true this is.
so can anyone help?
thanks
utam

I was informed by Aust Customs that imports under aus$1,000 would not incur any import duty and would not be subject to GST. That information was given to me over the phone back in Sept 2005. I also asked if I was to receive a parcel every week would that make a difference? They told me No.
It may be worth checking their website and even giving them a ring just to make sure.
I have been getting parcels every couple of months and have made sure that they were less than $1,000 and have had no problems.

You can get detailed information directly from aus customs website here:

[Link no longer available]

so by the sounds of thing it is much easyer to drop ship something rather by in bulk due to the import tax

I had something sent to me (I live in QLD) a month ago, and unfortunately, it was valued at $1038 (this was from America)...and I had to pay 15%...so anything over $1000 will incur tax...even if it is $1 over!

I import jewellery from Florida and am based in Australia. I have had to learn the hardway, first shipment was 2000, cost me heeps in tax and custom duties and then I had to get a customs agency to handle it for me, Cost me 500.
I have learnt to get regular shipments now on a weekly basis. Keep it under a 1000 dollars and you will be fine. I have although thought of ordering 2 parcels at a 1000 each, and puting my husbands name of one of the parcels. Not sure if this would work.

where exactly does it say on the customs web site that parcels under $1,000 do not incur import tax???

i was looking at the rates on the custome website & for example lingerie items were 15.5% tax which made me think it wasn't worth it, but if there is no import tax , then maybe i will go ahead?


i just don't want to get into trouble

I have imported clothing from India recently and as my order was over AU$1000, i got them to break it down for me into 2 seperate parcels. They even marked each parcel as a gift valued at $100. Did not have to pay any duty. So you could ask your supplier to break up shipments if this works better for you.

Hi guys,

Import duties vary from products to products depending on what products you're importing. For example, clothing and some textiles carry an import tax levy of 17.5%. You will only get taxed on this consignment if your supplier has declared that the value of the consignment is more than $1000AUD. Be carefull if you're buying at CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) value. If you're buying at CIF value you will not be paying an extra 10% as this is for GST if you're importing using your own freight agent here in Australia.

If you have a consignment that is way above $1000AUD, try getting 3 or 4 address, break the consignment into 3 or 4, or better still ask your supplier to under declare the value of the goods on the consignment note. This might help exhaust but be weary when you do your books at the end of the year as the ATO can randomly check your records with that of Customs. But the chances of you getting bust is very very small. On my 2 piece of coin, if I could make a suggestion, customs can give you a month to pay for any excess. Sell your products, pay your dues and alter arrangements for any similar consignments in the coming future.

Cheers gus and happy selling,

hey guys
just like to know how much is the aussie imports tax?
someone told me that anything under $1500 there is no import tax but i dont know how true this is.
so can anyone help?
thanks
utam

Hi utam,

Take a look at SaleHoo's Education resources. It has some relevant information about importing to Australia - Link hidden: Login to view

Cheers!

Hi everyone!
We have been importing from Spain, China, and US. As long as dollar value is under $1000 AU there is no import or tax. We have several boxes delivered each month. Overall, more costly than a container but then again don't have to put out $10,000 to fill a container.

Australian customs site shows the duty for different items.

We shipped a container 4 months ago and found that Clothing is usually most expensive (upwards of 15%!) Our electric goods were 5% and another product was 0% . If you can't find what you are looking for they have been very helpful to us over the phone.

Go for it!!

Thanks for your input littlefeather1234! Greatly appreciated :)

Yes, a phone call to your local customs office would not hurt but would be definitely helpful! Not a bad idea getting things into the country for under $1k especially if you don't have money to finance a whole container load plus the corresponding taxes.

Cheers

Cool pic by the way!