Imported Goods under $1000 GST going ahead this July

[ethernet]

Order goods on Aliexpress, Ebay from overseas?

Time to order some low value shopping in advance before things get complicated/constipated.

From July it is about to get more expensive. Apart from the 10% GST being added to imports under $1, there is also a rumor of $5 per parcel tax to pay for the running of the mega Home Security office.
And they think $0 is reasonable, and fail to mention the cost of what happens and who pays for the GST on an impounded $1 usb cord for instance.

2 months to go - and nothing? Political cowards. I am not aware what how Australia Post is gearing up to this near deadline.

This is not done anywhere else in the world. What stupid stupid policy. I have not heard what Ebay and AliExpress and others are saying about their readiness or otherwise. I hope the rest of world sees this as trade barrier protectionism and applies the same on Australian exports into their countries.

I wonder if I shoud apply for a GST number and an Integrated Cargo System (ICS) certificate $187 so I can avoid AP fee blackmail, and prove unecomical decisions are uneconomical below a fair threshold.

I should also add lots of rural marginal electorates have LOST their local post office, or dont have a Bunnings within 150kms, so the coughie in the bush will see it as a direct attack on country folk.

As an IT person, Ebay needs to get into the disposable phonex site groove. It generates a new random number website (never used again) and hands off , perhaps served ONCE on an Australian IP to handle a potential purchase so that no GST is ever payable - if done right.

I looked hard and Australia Post says nothing, except it does not want to be the patsy for paying 900mil so it can collect 300 mil. I forsee losts of CSV commercial samples coming in, so I can reexport them next time I leave Australa in my $900 allowance. Will sure add to global warming.

Post LVIG , I will import a $4 smoke detector with a radiation sticker saying must be properly disposed. maybe a nicad battery or farm chemical. If duty or GST not paid - will AP make a loss in unpaid disposal?


Links
Imposing GST on low-value imports doesn't level the playing field

 

[LadyC]

It's not being talked about much as everyone is still trying to work out how to deal with it. Then this last minute piece on the $5 parcel. Oops, now they realise it might cost some money to implement this! But to your point, buy now, time is running out!

 

[ajd]

This is not done anywhere else in the world.

Alas, they can point to Canada here, which charges CAD$9.95 per parcel for any parcel which is taxed.

 

[Must...Fly!]

They do similar in the UK for parcels over a certain value IIRC

 

[opusman]

I imported a watch recently into the UK from the USA.

Watch value was £189. I got charged £49 VAT, duty and other import fees (26% of the value).

Importing same value watch into Australia at the moment would cost nothing. Some may say we have had it pretty good for quite a while

 

[Himeno]

Governments keep coming up with stupid cough. When can we get rid of these idiots?

Are they going to charge you for packages you send to yourself?
How about gifts from friends?

 

[drron]

Governments keep coming up with stupid cough. When can we get rid of these idiots?

Are they going to charge you for packages you send to yourself?
How about gifts from friends?

If you get rid of this group of idiots you just end up with another group of idiots.

 

[Himeno]

If you get rid of this group of idiots you just end up with another group of idiots.

Vote AFF, the only party that aren't stupid idiots.

 

[Limewood]

Does this apply if goods are imported for resale?

 

[JohnK]

Sounds like a silly idea. Parcel tax?

 

[daft009]

Does this apply if goods are imported for resale?

Yes of course

 

[serfty]

So the $1.56 QI charger I purchased recently from Hong Kong is going to cost $6.56?

 

[Buzzard]

Governments keep coming up with stupid cough. When can we get rid of these idiots?

Are they going to charge you for packages you send to yourself?
How about gifts from friends?

My understanding is that people receiving gifts in the UK still pay tax.
Quite a few years ago, I received a leather jacket (here in Oz) from Germany as a gift and had to pay tax because the declared value was above a certain thrrsthre.

 

[opusman]

So the $1.56 QI charger I purchased recently from Hong Kong is going to cost $6.56?

Still cheaper than the $30 it'd cost if you bought it in Oz

 

[Deleted member]

Vote AFF, the only party that aren't stupid idiots.

Mmm. Interesting perspective.

 

[Deleted member]

So the $1.56 QI charger I purchased recently from Hong Kong is going to cost $6.56?

I’m guessing there are retailers in Australia who would be missing out on the sale , and while I don’t believe our Government is focused on their plight, the loss of a sale, also means a loss of tax income.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I view this as a barrier to trade and inevitably reducing my quality of life as luxuries I wish to purchase will cost me more, so I will have fewer of them.

I won't be buying an item I want and can get for $2 online for $20 in a store. If I need it now, then yes I'll pay. So I'm not sure what this "tax" is targeting to be honest, apart from reducing the buying power of the majority of the public.

Call me cheap and/or crazy...

 

[Cynicor]

On a slightly related note, does anyone know of a cheap mail forwarder for the UK similar to the USA ones?

 

[Limewood]

So all businesses selling the items once imported, not drop shipping from abroad, and already charging customers gst will be imposed with more fees?

 

[Buzzard]

On a slightly related note, does anyone know of a cheap mail forwarder for the UK similar to the USA ones?

Funny you should mention this, I'm actually suggesting to someone they should start said business.