Do you guys have any advice dealing with customs? I'm looking to buy goods from the US & UK but have heard it is hit & miss. A friend of mine imported vitamins from the US, on one such order recently he got whacked with a $170 surchage because he's order was deemed a "commercial quantity", I want to buy vinyl in large quantities but don't want to be delt the fines I have only ordered smaller orders with good success but I would save alot more if I bought in larger quantities. So if you people could give me advice and everything you know about ordering from overseas not just vinyl everything...post you're stories.

Last edited by Travis_Bickle on Nov-10-2004 at 08:32

I think if its AU$250+ it goes through customs, and you get charged a fee. I think so, i need someone to back me up though.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm

this would prob be able to answer some of your questions...........
Haven't had any dealings myself

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**Man I'm Pretty**

quote:

Originally posted by Trance Nutter http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm this would prob be able to answer some of your questions........... Haven't had any dealings myself

I have seen that site I just wanted personal accounts.In a nutshell I have heard they are VERY inconsistent. I do know in regards to therapeutic goods (vitamins etc) there is a 3 month supply rule that applies, i'm really intrested in hearing peoples experiences ordering large quantities of vinyl..."stamper" do you know how large the extra fee I just down want to be whacked with a $170+ fee like my poor freind but that of course was diffrent goods.

quote:

Originally posted by stamper I think if its AU$250+ it goes through customs, and you get charged a fee. I think so, i need someone to back me up though.

that is correct
if its less than $250 you dont have to pay for customs!

Most of my orders are going to be well over 250

quote:

Originally posted by Travis_Bickle Most of my orders are going to be well over 250

if that is the case
give www.vinylwarning.com.au a visit.

hope that helps

Just check if it goes thru aust post or a courier. One of the stores in the uk sends via royal mail which means u can go upto about $300 aud without any surcharge, if it's a courier tho the limit is $250aud.

They work on different systems.

usually they allow them through if they're not very regular. If you're doing huge quantities every week, they will pull up your packages and charge you the GST component on the purchases. Best to split your purchases up over a couple (instead of one whole lot) and have them delivered that way.

Customs aren't that strict with these sorts of things. Hope this helps

Chris Pana

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spacetribe!

Thought i'd add my 2 cents..

Well I ordered my IPOD from the states at $350 US and I got charged $100 TAX. I think $50 WAS DHS FEE.. fucken assholes.

Anyway Ive ordered large amounts of records from the UK and been charged no TAX.

I think it depends if it's sent through someone like FEDX AND DHL..

If it's normal air mail.. less chance...

I ordered bodybuilding stuff from the states, which cost me $350 and customs stopped it, and opened it up.. but i wasnt charged anything so i think they charge you $500 onwards.

with international post it can be up to $1000AU, you have to include the shipping in the price tho..

with courier it can only be $250 anything over is charged %10 GSt then u have a customs clearence fee and also a customs fee.

my friend used to order over $250 worth of vinyl from france and he has no problems.

if you have a friend/family member who is overseas get them to pick up the stuff and send it to you..then they and you can declare its a gift and you wont get taxed...

there are loopholes you just need to find them

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yeah I ordered a special soundcard (for my trance production studio ) from the US about $650AUD and got chagred $75 customs duty on it. Still saved $400 on if I bought the same thing here though