Thread: import duties and gst ex us

You shouldn't be charge gst or import duty unless it's over $1000, it's UPS that's charging the fee, it's a little scam they have going to make more money. I have heard of guys thru the forum here who have challenge UPS on those fees and have had them dropped.

Might pay for you to visit the customs website

If what you're wanting to import will fit within the size/weight guidelines of the USPS (United States Postal Service and NOT to be confused with the abomination known as UPS) then use the USPS (or maybe at a pinch Fedex) or don't bother to import at all.

The "limit" for import duties used to be around the $400 mark but apparently has now been increased so anything below that amount should not attract any additional costs.

DHL, UPS, and FEDEX will lump you with a customs fee that you didn't need to pay, plus another "customs brokerage fee" for getting it all sorted on your behalf. It's a scam.

USPS - United States Postal Service, is who you want to be dealing with. It's an expensive lesson lots of us have learned. In fact USPS is faster than DHL, cause DHL stuff you around for a couple of days trying to screw you over for more money. USPS just delivers your property.

Unless there have been some "strange" changes, I'm afraid from our experiences importing guitars, I can't agree with that summation of DHL............as a matter of fact, I couldn't recommend them highly enough. We were never charged any unnecessary fees but maybe that was because I communicated with Customs, Quarantine and DHL at length so everyone knew what was expected prior to any shipping taking place.

Again, unless they've had major changes, DHL were an "express only" kind of service.....ie: there were no options as to what "service" you could choose.........you paid a premium price and your goods arrived way faster than Fedex, etc. Out of the 12 or so guitars we imported, all were shipped DHL and all were on the ground in Sydney within 24 hours of being initially despatched, the biggest delay was waiting for both Quarantine and Customs Depts., to do the necessary inspections and paperwork before allowing DHL to release the goods.

If you're importing anything which is of an organic nature, (ie; wood products, veneers, etc.), then they have to be inspected by not only Customs but also Quarantine and this does add additional costs.

Again, for packages that don't exceed their standards, the USPS can't be beaten, especially their Global Express Mail service.

I always order between $300 and $600aud at a time from the U.S. and via a
variety of methods.
Not once have I been hit with extra charges.
I've had one bulk order of quilt maple inspected and cleared by customs, and that's one out of maybe 20 overseas orders in the past year. Again, no charges.

Since USPS no longer give the option for seamail, I've been receiving fairly heavy parcels a great deal cheaper than previously. That's a bonus

cheers, Stu

DJ is right, its a scam.

Just don't pay it, they have no right to ask for it. I was billed for $45 "Customs Brokerage fee" from DHL. I never paid it, and I never heard a whimper from them.....

Do everything you can to not use a courier, always go with USPS.

I got guitar parts sent from the US via DHL, hoping for a fast delivery. A couple of days after it should have been delivered I got a letter from DHL saying they wanted payment or they wouldn't deliver my stuff. Rang them and they said they wouldn't deliver until I gave them a credit card number. Turned a $350 order into almost $500 all up.

Wish I had known then what I know now.

it seems that USPS global express is the way to go i have been hit by both dhl and ups spoke to a guy at warmoth this morning and he said they are using USPS global express more and more for export to australia after i requested him not to use the dreaded ups. seems plenty have complained. surely this practice cant be legal? as an entity doing business here shouldn't they be made to adhere to our laws. i would have thought taking fees on behalf of govt bodies and pocketing the proceeds would be an offence under accc guidelines

Originally Posted by Paul B

I got guitar parts sent from the US via DHL, hoping for a fast delivery. A couple of days after it should have been delivered I got a letter from DHL saying they wanted payment or they wouldn't deliver my stuff. Rang them and they said they wouldn't deliver until I gave them a credit card number. Turned a $350 order into almost $500 all up.

Wish I had known then what I know now.

Sorry mate, but it sounds as though you're only telling a part of the story.............:

Did you, prior to ordering or arranging shipment, make the necessary enquiries to understand what exactly would be involved?

Did you, after DHL asked for additional payment, ask them for a breakdown of all charges...........you are perfectly entitled to and they are more than happy to provide that information.


DHL can only claim shipping costs, however they or their brokers do handle and cover any additional costs imposed by Govt., Depts, these costs are then payable to DHL.

I've only ever had one thing held for additional charges and that was through USPS/Aust Post...........maybe, because of that, I learnt to educate myself prior to any further import exercises.

Originally Posted by old_picker

it seems that USPS global express is the way to go i have been hit by both dhl and ups spoke to a guy at warmoth this morning and he said they are using USPS global express more and more for export to australia after i requested him not to use the dreaded ups. seems plenty have complained. surely this practice cant be legal? as an entity doing business here shouldn't they be made to adhere to our laws. i would have thought taking fees on behalf of govt bodies and pocketing the proceeds would be an offence under accc guidelines

next time they try it get it in writing, and send it to the tax office, cc them. A nice tax audit will set them straight

Originally Posted by Gra

next time they try it get it in writing, and send it to the tax office, cc them. A nice tax audit will set them straight

i did actually get a break down on paper
got an invoice for it with the package....

yes i was green when i started this caper but have been "educated"

Originally Posted by HiString

Sorry mate, but it sounds as though you're only telling a part of the story.............:

Did you, prior to ordering or arranging shipment, make the necessary enquiries to understand what exactly would be involved?

Did you, after DHL asked for additional payment, ask them for a breakdown of all charges...........you are perfectly entitled to and they are more than happy to provide that information.


DHL can only claim shipping costs, however they or their brokers do handle and cover any additional costs imposed by Govt., Depts, these costs are then payable to DHL.

I've only ever had one thing held for additional charges and that was through USPS/Aust Post...........maybe, because of that, I learnt to educate myself prior to any further import exercises.

Seriously, that's the story. The letter they sent included an invoice that broke down the costs to something like $80 customs duties or plus a similar amount for customs brokerage fees, plus another $12 or so for customs clearance fees.

What inquiries are necessary? You buy $350 worth of gear from a reputable supplier (can't remember exactly if it was stewmac or LMII), check the box for DHL shipping and pay the $50 freight charges. Why would you expect anything other than a delivery without the BS? Why would anyone even concieve that they'd have to "make the necessary enquiries to understand what exactly would be involved"?

I ain't telling porkies mate, probably still have the letter and invoice floating 'round here somewhere.

Paul,

Just before typing my last post I made a point of having a lengthy conversation with DHL just to confirm what my past experience has taught me. Unfortunately, I can't access my paperwork from our numerous dealing with DHL to recall how they invoice us (maybe tomorrow), but as I said, DHL can't charge or pocket dollars for anything other than shipping BUT, as "brokers" they cover any additional charges imposed by Customs and Quarantine and consequently are obliged to recoup those costs.

Personally, if I'd been in your situation, I would have been demanding an explanation, initially from DHL and then from Customs, etc., before handing over any money.

For any one guitar (mainly Les Pauls) we've imported we've always paid around $260 shipping and a bit less on additional costs (import duties, inspections, etc)

Paul,

Just before typing my last post I made a point of having a lengthy conversation with DHL just to confirm what my past experience has taught me. Unfortunately, I can't access my paperwork from our numerous dealing with DHL to recall how they invoice us (maybe tomorrow), but as I said, DHL can't charge or pocket dollars for anything other than shipping BUT, as "brokers" they cover any additional charges imposed by Customs and Quarantine and consequently are obliged to recoup those costs.

Personally, if I'd been in your situation, I would have been demanding an explanation, initially from DHL and then from Customs, etc., before handing over any money.

For any one guitar (mainly Les Pauls) we've imported we've always paid around $260 shipping and a bit less on additional costs (import duties, inspections, etc)