Subject:
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Re: Importing LEGO
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.loc.au
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Date:
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Fri, 9 Jun 2000 03:53:11 GMT
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Viewed:
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386 times
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In lugnet.loc.au, Ben Low writes:
>
> In lugnet.loc.au, Benjamin Whytcross writes:
> ...
> > purchases...Apparently Customs don't charge import duties when the total for
> > duties and taxes is less than $50. The examples they gave were:
>
> Well, this is not wholly correct. Customs assess duty on everything, but they
> do not bother to collect if the duty is less than $50. Yes, I know it's almost
> the same thing but I was told by Customs that this policy is at the discretion
> of Customs - that is if they think you're abusing the system they can simply
> "bother" to collect from you :-)
>
> The duty rate for toys (Lego) is/was 33% (may be an even 30%, I can't exactly
> recall), so the most you can get away with is $A151 (duty =~ $49). If the duty
> is $50.00 or more they will collect duty on the total amount, and you'll be up
> for an expensive bill.
>
> Also, it's unclear as to how they determine assessable value. I presume they
> just exchange the declared value to $A on the day goods are processed, which
> means that you'll be subject to fluctations in exchange rate. What you bought
> for $US90 == $A150 two weeks ago may be valued more (or less) than that now.
>
> I've bought Dacta from Glenn Tanenbaum (highly recommended: he went to great
> lengths to help me: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/Mall/1994/), I almost
> got bitten by assuming Lego would be in the 20% bracket. I ended up having to
> ask Glenn to split my order into two packages, each worth less then $A150. But
> then, of course, postage killed me (seamail even). Still, I ended up paying
> quite a bit less than 'Educational Experience' (Aust. Dacta distributor) • quoted
> me for the same kits (why is that I can purchase "at retail" in the US and pay
> "retail" shipping from overseas for less than these local distributors, who • buy
> wholesale and ship in bulk??).
>
> However, I believe there may be a light on the horizon: GST. The basic premise
> of customs duty is to collect taxes as would be done for locally bought goods
> (plus any trade protection levies, but I don't believe these apply to Lego :- • ).
> Now that the local tax rate will effectivey fall from 20/30% to 10%, I can't
> see why the customs rate won't also fall. If so, the $50 limit will equate to • a
> much higher goods value.
>
> I've been meaning to ring Customs and ask about this...
What about 'used' or 'second-hand' Lego (another kettle of.....)
A lot of volume can be saved if you discard boxes and superfluous things too.
pete.w
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Importing LEGO
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| (...) Customs have told me they use whatever is on the 'customs declaration' label attached to all international packages, with reference to the description. If things look funny (i.e. the description says "toys", the box is as big as a bar fridge (...) (24 years ago, 9-Jun-00, to lugnet.loc.au)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Importing LEGO
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| In lugnet.loc.au, Benjamin Whytcross writes: ... (...) Well, this is not wholly correct. Customs assess duty on everything, but they do not bother to collect if the duty is less than $50. Yes, I know it's almost the same thing but I was told by (...) (24 years ago, 9-Jun-00, to lugnet.loc.au)
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