Thread: More about importing from China

Just out of curiousity, I sent an email to Sieg in China enquiring as to whether I could import their SX3 mill. Their polite reply was to go to one of their agents, understandable.

H&F price is currently $2189.

I also sent off an email to Alibaba.com with the same enquiry. Alibaba are export agents.

Their reply was positive, and quoted me US$1199 CIF to Melbourne (Cost, insurance & freight).

I'm sure that's not the end to it. I don't know how much duty would be, or the unloading/transport fees at this end.

Without these unknown fees, the saving is $990 with the US dollar nearly on parity with the AUD dollar.

Buying here does have some advantages, ie, I can buy it now and have someone to fall back on if something goes wrong.

Your comments would be appreciated.

Ken

I reckon I'm out. Have just spoken to a friend who regularly imports goods from China. As has been stated in earlier posts, the big killer is the costs involved once the item has landed.

Duty add 5%, GST add a further 10%, then the unloading and transport costs. This could be several hundred dollars.

So, I have almost convinced myself that it's not worth the trouble to import and having to wait.

Ken

I think the only way you'd come out on top would be if you imported an entire container load of stuff to spread the import costs over multiple items/purchasers.

From a couple of posts by locals over on cnczone.com, shared container space is much more expensive - plus of course there is an extra 'fee' for splitting the goods up between the various recipients.

The other issue is the warranty support one, a modest saving on a single item is lost if it dies and needs to be replaced or repaired, and you need to send all or a substantial portion back to China, or replace the whole thing. Local service is always helpfull then.

I know I dont always pratice what I preach, and have direct imported a lot of gear from reputable suppliers in the US, but generally in low cost goods where the overall savings were much higher. No hassles to date.

Looks like the retailers dislike the fact of having to compete

Retailers call for GST on overseas sales | News.com.au

STRUGGLING retailers want to spoil consumers' post-GFC party and put a tax on overseas spending. With new research showing half of all Australians now shop online overseas, retailers have approached the Federal Government to wind back the GST threshold on overseas goods from $1000 to $400 or even abolish the limit altogether.

I'm sure the government would be happy to do that for them, although they might not do it to save votes. It would make little difference to my online shopping. My latest purchase online cost $648, adding 10% to that would make it $712.80 still far short of the $2411 local price. So if the retailers think that this idea is going to save them they had better think again.

Stuart

If they abolish the $1000 threshold, you would not only be up for GST, you would be up for Import Duty as well. GST is calculated on the the purchase price, plus the Duty, plus the freight, plus the insurance! Import Duty varies greatly - from 0% to 100%, depending on the classification of goods.

Another trap for the inexperienced is that the value of the goods is calculated on the day it hits Customs - NOT the day you pay for it. So if the dollar dropped 20% from when you payed for your gear to when it reaches Australia, you are going to be up for 20% more than you thought! Something to be aware of if you are importing stuff by sea, with long journey times.

Even with 100% duty + 10% GST its still only $1425.60.

Of course if I just had to have it "NOW" I would have to pay the retail price. I don't, I can wait a few weeks.

If buying from china you'd find most of them already dodgy up a customs slip without you asking for it

This doesnt include when importing via ocean freight.

If buying from china you'd find most of them already dodgy up a customs slip without you asking for it

I know what you mean! I have been on the receiving end of a few altered invoices - without my knowledge. They have only been low value shipments - way under a $1000 - which begs the question - why do they bother? Unfamiliarity with Australian standards I guess. Which is fair enough.

But I would hate to receive a borderline $1000 shipment with dodgy documents, and then have Customs asking some hard questions about documentation! I think the importer would cop all the trouble for that. I dont think Customs would believe - "I didnt ask them to do it!" I reckon the fines would be a lot more than the savings.

Originally Posted by markjaffa

I know what you mean! I have been on the receiving end of a few altered invoices - without my knowledge. They have only been low value shipments - way under a $1000 - which begs the question - why do they bother? Unfamiliarity with Australian standards I guess. Which is fair enough.

But I would hate to receive a borderline $1000 shipment with dodgy documents, and then have Customs asking some hard questions about documentation! I think the importer would cop all the trouble for that. I dont think Customs would believe - "I didnt ask them to do it!" I reckon the fines would be a lot more than the savings.

I'm pretty sure you cant get in trouble, you did not sign the customs slip.

And with no reciept in the package how can they prove you didnt pay that little for it.

I wouldn't worry markjaffa ,customs would see this sort of thing every day and know exactly what's going on. I receive a lot of "gifts", I've often thought about emailing the seller and telling them I got the one they sent as a gift but not the one I paid for

Ch4iS from memory customs doesn't have to worry about receipts, if customs says it is worth $2000 they will tax you on that value, its then your job to prove it isn't. A bit like selling your car to a mate for "$1" to save on stamp duty.

I'm pretty sure you cant get in trouble, you did not sign the customs slip.

If you are bringing in gear over $1000 that wouldnt be the case. Anything over a $1000 needs a Customs Import Declaration to be completed. Regardless of whether it comes in via Post, Sea or Air Freight. Sometimes they let it slide with Post, but they dont have too.

If you, or a Broker on your behalf, enters an Import Declaration YOU are legally certifying the details you are supplying Customs with. I am pretty sure there is something in a Customs Brokers Terms that would specify "we only put what the customer tells us". This would absolve them from any liability - putting it firmly on the Importer. Customs would have a pretty good idea about the value of the gear you are importing. If the declared value is below what they would expect they can easily audit your shipment. If they find you have under-valued the goods - regardless of what the Exporter has listed the value as - they can fine/prosecute you - up to $5500! All they have to do is ask for you to show them the Payment receipt, and compare it to the Declared Value. Any discrepancy between the receipt and value on the Declaration and you are gone.

You can slip through the cracks, but they can come after you for up to 5 years. The fine would be a hell of a lot more than the money you save through under-valuing.

But all the above is ONLY for shipments over a $1000 - and I think most people are talking about shipments/items valued at a lot less than that threshold.

Stustoys - ya got in before me! I reckon you are right - its not going to be an isolated occurence!

I will let you know when i receive my Tormach PCNC1100 mill, ordered last week. Aproximately twice the size of H&F 's Schools CNC and half the price, with accessories
Will