Australian Import duties

[Buschy]

G'day All,

Does anyone have any experience with importation duties / payables with reference to chinese imports.
in particular a chinese Laser Engraver.

cheers,
Buschy

[Buschy]

replyng to my own question here, but after a quick glance through customs website, and depending on the all important classification of the equipment it looks as duties are either 0 or at most 5%

still if anyone has gone down this route i'd like to hear.
cheers,
Buschy

[rocket67]

G`day Buschy, I am about to import a chinese router myself.
Do not know whether import duty is payable but you will certainly need to pay GST. There will undoubtedly be other fees payable if it is coming in by container - such as port handling charges etc.
What size of machine are you importing?
We import classic cars from the USA and the fees that we pay for each container include - GST, Port handling charges, broker fees.
Contact your receiving agent for a run down on the costs.

ROCKET.

[Buschy]

Cheers Rocket,

the machine i'm looking at is a 900x600 working area so its no more than around 1200ccm and a hundred odd kilos.
i'm actually looking into consolidated air freight to hurry it along, i'll get stung this way but it'll be quicker.

the Aust customs website www.customs.gov.au has documents outlining all tarriffs applicable to different equipment and the only reference to lasers i could see showed an import tarriff of 5%.
The GST component is added after all the other charges are added on to the FOB value.

I'm up in the UK at the moment and will get in contact with a the customs company on my return.

cheers,
Buschy

[SyS-e]

It depends which agent you get that sorts out what classifcation your laser comes under. It could draw a 5-7% + all the other charges then GST as well if you aren't careful. I Import CNC and Lasers into NZ and AU, and also provide service and support. This is where all Chinese companies call down is with after sales service. Thats why I travel there 2-3 times a year.

I use a broker than ensures my stuff gets through without hassle or duties. I'd be happy to help you wiht your purchase. Check out www.syselaser.com

[neilw20]

It seems if something is addressed to an individual it goes through a much less torturous path before you get it, and it is quicker.
Only have it addressed to a business name if that's what it really is.
If it is is a hobby thing, not for profit, then state that clearly. Then the most appropriate rules will be applied with the least hassle.

[appicnc]

Hello Group

LCL ( Less than Container Load ) Imports, I have recently ( since Nov' last year )been making US of A purchases and have imported them into Oz.
How did it go? VERY smoothly in the States, Elwood Beauchamp ( mentioned in other posts here ) provided an excellent service, suggested sources, found shippers and options and generally provided a great service for a very cheap fee. The " fun " started when the ship was on the high seas, diverted to NZ, was offloaded and reloaded there for Sydney, slight delay of 2 weeks, new ship had trouble finding Sydney ( must have as the arrival dated kept changing ). All up, packing, shipping ect $530.00 )

When it did get here then the real fun started, Global Logistics - Oz company who handled the shipment ( $209.00 ) directed me to customs for clearance, ( first of trips to Sydney ( from Bathurst )) customs want proof of identity, NSW D/L no good, Credit card likewise as was a medicare card, they wanted a passport, citizenship cert' or birth cert' being born here and never having gone O/S the first 2 were out, the next I don't carry around with me!, had daughter fax copy, that was OK, then they wanted all three of the rejected " secondary I/D's ", next problem was I didn't have all the invoices. No way around this one, back to Bathurst, print off invoice and then back to Sydney, again, no problems now with customs, they want to charge me $325.00 which includes $70.00 duty, " don't we have a free trade agreement with the States, Yes we do, I'll fix that " new invoice issues for $255.00, ( GST reduces as GST IS charged on duty as well - legalised robbery!! Tax on Tax ), they direct me to AQUIS for clearance on the pallet the 2 cardboard tubes are sitting on!!! ) $113.00 later the pallet is inspected and passed ( the inspection took < 5 seconds ) back to customs to pay them, out to some logistics Co. who actually will give em the shipment ( yep, another $77.00 ) not sure why, by this stage it's about 2:00pm ( I arrived at 9:10am) collect goods and drive back to Bathurst.

Worth it, yes, still picked up stuff of approx' $8000.00 value for much less, would I use LCL again?? what a stupid question, no!!

Elwood ( Woody ) has a USPS box that you can send back here for US $52.00, it will hold 20Lbs in weight, ( that includes his fee too!!!!!!! ) he can also send long stuff back ( up to 1160mm'ish ) not sure of price but quicker / cheaper than LCL.

Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.

Ed

[SyS-e]

These are the basics and if you go through an agent there will be an additional charge for them to process your paperwork (no hassle). SOmetimes a fixed charge of $100 or a small percentage of the items cost. Customs will let you do a one off at the counter and possibly even help you through it. You don't need a busienss name, but it helps when getting delivery quotes. These rates below are for a LCL Shipment and delivery to your door.

PSC: AUD60.00 PER M3 / TONNE
THC: AUD10.00 PER M3 / TONNE
SCA: AUD15.00 PER B/L
COMPILE FEE AUD60.75 PER B/L
DELIVERY ORDER FEE: AUD40.00 PER B/L
CMR FEE: AUD25.00 PER B/L
SECURITY FEE: AUD 7.00 PER B/L

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE: AUD160.00 PER SHIPMENT - UP TO 5 TARIFF LINES
DELIVERY TO TARRAGINDI: AUD 24.50 PER M3 / TONNE - MINIMUM AUD85.00
FUEL SURCHARGE: 12%
DUTY ON 8460.90.90 FREE
GST ON IMPORTATION: 10%

The above rates do not include any Customs or AQIS Inspections / Fees.
The above rates are valid for non-hazardous, in-gauge cargo only.
The above rates are current and as such may be subject to change with or without prior notice.

I have attached the tarrif doces for CNC Routers and such. Ther is a 5% FOB duty charge for this item.

I import a few units into AU. Most go through me to escape the hassle of handling customs etc, and also I speak better english for tech support and odering repair parts. Its the support you need after you buy a unit that is really important and here most get "let down" .

I hope this helps. If you need more info send me a message, glad to help.