Not charged Import Duty

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 2:45 pm

"A friend of mine" recently ordered a couple of things from overseas, each well over A$1,000 (one was an MS3Pro ECU), and had the goods delivered immediately, they were not held in customs, nor was there any request for additional import duty tax payment.

Any ideas on why this occurred?

I thought that the A$1,000 value had been decreased.

Are customs inspectors having some sort of pay dispute at the moment and simply passing all products straight through?

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 2:53 pm

It's been decreased, but I believe it's to be handled by the seller now, and only if they export over a threshold for an entire year. I think it's easier for things to slip through the cracks now, but technically the items are still eligible for customs & duties.

My Kraken manifold and exhaust didn't get pulled up for duties either.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 2:56 pm

Just ring them and ask - I don't think they'd be chasing you for it later.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 3:49 pm

https://www.abf.gov.au/buying-online/buying-online

but yea....lots of cracks.....

but I haven't figured out what & where those cracks are.

but putting the onus on overseas business to collect GST is one of their dumbest idears in a while

1. its not getting collected
2. they now refruse to send to AU

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 4:15 pm

ManiacLachy wrote:It's been decreased, but I believe it's to be handled by the seller now, and only if they export over a threshold for an entire year. I think it's easier for things to slip through the cracks now, but technically the items are still eligible for customs & duties.

"My friend's" Kraken manifold and exhaust didn't get pulled up for duties either.

There, fixed it for you.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 4:17 pm

I'm hopiung "My Friends" Kracken system will fall through the cracks as well. :lol:

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 4:22 pm

Too late to edit now, but you all know what I meant, clearly.

I'm curious why Lokiel's friend bought a new MS ECU, I thought he already had one? I guess time will tell.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 4:25 pm

Yes Lachy, Your Friend has great taste.

I can only assume Lokiels friend may have upgraded the MS 2 ? to an MS3?

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 5:17 pm

My "friend" needs 2x MS3Pros so that he doesn't need to keep removing his ECU from the car when testing his other projects that need the MS3Pro (it's easier to access on a bench than mounted in the passenger's footwell).

The American · Postby **The American** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 5:52 pm

I have a friend who would be prepared to pay import duty to get his hands on a TSE downpipe and hardlines....

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:56 pm

Lokiel wrote:My "friend" needs 2x MS3Pros so that he doesn't need to keep removing his ECU from the car when testing his other projects that need the MS3Pro (it's easier to access on a bench than mounted in the passenger's footwell).

You have a very smart friend

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apsilon · Postby **apsilon** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:37 am

Happens all the time, especially if coming by post. The courier companies are better at collecting it. They won't come looking for it later so enjoy not having to pay it.

The $1k limit hasn't been decreased. The way things are now is that if a business sells over $75k annually into Aust they're supposed to register for GST and collect it on sales. If a business isn't over the $75k limit then they don't have to. Of course a US or other business outside Aust is never going to be audited by the ATO so really they can do what they want. "No Mr ATO, we don't sell over $75k". Larger companies like ebay and Amazon did it because it's obvious they sell over that limit and it's no skin of their noses to collect it.

If the seller isn't registered and therefore doesn't collect GST then that's it. If it's under $1k it won't be collected at the border. If it's over $1k it's supposed to be collected at the border but in my experience, and I import a lot, it'll come through without being charged more often that not (when via post as I mentioned above).

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:34 am

apsilon, thanks for summarising better than I could! Exactly what my mind was thinking but my fingers couldn't put into words.

My friend is happy to pay the import duties if he must, but is very happy if items slip through the cracks. The worst part about paying the import fees is the delay while it sits in the holding yard being held ransom!

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:30 am

Why can't people just say 'I wasn't charged etc, etc'. As if they're going to track you down via a forum post.
So these items aren't getting charged ANY duties/taxes when delivered (no GST, no import duty)? We are talking two different charges.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 2:03 pm

Thanks again apsilon for explaining that.

One of the annoying facts about import duties, as ManiacLachy said, is waiting for your goods to clear customs.
If you're proactive by tracking your package yourself and sending through the required documentation online as soon as it arrives, and make the payments online, it can take 3-4 days before it arrives to you, otherwise it can take 2-4 weeks.

So it appears that we may be able to "sneak past" paying duties for smaller, generic packages from smaller vendors - I doubt this would include some of the more obvious stuff such as tyres, rims, exhausts though

To bruce: "My friend" saved over A$700 by not paying any duty and he'd prefer to remain anonymous about his windfall. If they want to chase him down for it, then let them figure it out via their own paperwork. He wasn't going to buy the ECU because it was going to be so expensive but now considers it a bargain.