Item Held In Customs ?

[Bencld]

Hi all. For the Aussies here. I have had an item sent from the US via USPS to Victoria and it has been held up in customs. I was wondering what this means and what I can expect ?

 

Thanks in advance.

[mywei]

Waiting for customs fees and tax I would think

[Bencld]

Thanks Matt. They do send notification I would assume ?

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Chris, Australia post should send you a letter enclosing customs documentation which you complete and lodge on line . You will have to fill out an import declaration form (N 10 ) and provide evidence of what you paid . They will charge GST on this and once they notify Aust post that this has been paid the article is delivered . The tariff classification that you will need is 9706000007. There should be no customs duty on an antique sword but there will be GST

Ian brooks

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Chris, I have had two sword deliveries from the USA by USPS since the new GST legislation took effect 1st July. They both took 5 working days longer than usual to arrive. The tracking (both USPS and AusPost), track as normal from sender through USA and hit a "road block" for days after it says arrived Kingsford Smith Airport Sydney. They eventually arrive DAYS after they used to. HOWEVER, I have not been hit up for tax, I was advised to tell the seller to describe them as VINTAGE SWORD. NOT VINTAGE Japanese SWORD, the reason being that the word Japanese sword triggers customs to search for ray skin, an endangered species, and could lead to the destruction of the sword as an illegal import. 

So I guess a VINTAGE SWORD (which they legally are), are not taxable, but they probably go through an assessment (time consuming process). Hope this helps. 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Chris , I should have added that you are only up for GST where the item is valued at more than $1000.

Ian

[Bazza]

Neil wrote:

> ... since the new GST legislation took effect 1st July

 

What is the essence of this change??  Are they now charging GST on items less than AUD $1,000??  That would catch tsuba, fuchigashira etc etc...

 

BaZZa.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Depending on some sellers you get a 10% surcharge on items on ebay now...

[IJASWORDS]

Bazza, my understanding was that ALL imports, of any value was GST'able. But at the moment the Government have required only major internet sellers (like eBay and Amazon) to add GST on to purchases. My swords were from private sellers, not through eBay. 

[Bencld]

Yes. I bought a couple of taxi radios from the UK at about A$260 and ebay added 10% to it. I was in the ebay Australia site. I wonder if I was in the US ebay or UK sites, they would add the 10% ?

[Bencld]

Hi all. Received notification from Aus post taday and filled out the N10 form with the tariff classification code supplied above and sent it back with proof of value. So things are one the go.

Thanks all.

Chris.