Import Tax

[R3NDO4G]

Hey guys,

I'll be going overseas to Canada later this year and wanted to buy some hardware for an upgrade build. I could save so much more compared to if I buy them in my region (Australia), well over thousand dollars. Anyone can give any idea if I would be paying large amounts of import tax when I come back (and it being worth it) or is there a way to overcome this?

Cheers

[Florb]

No import tax if you're carrying it through custom (Just hide it). My 5960X had a hell of a load of import tax IF it comes through customs through an online retailer.

 

The other way would to route the transaction through a personal company; (might want to see an accountant for that).

[Dredgy]

You won't pay any.

 

Technically, you should pay GST on imports over $1k, but if everything's unpacked in your suitcase, customs is not going to ask about it. If you don't keep receipts, they won't have a clue how much stuff is worth, nor can they prove you bought it overseas.

 

If the item's value is less than $1000, no tax needs to be paid.

[Florb]

You won't pay any.

 

Technically, you should pay GST on imports over $1k, but if everything's unpacked in your suitcase, customs is not going to ask about it. If you don't keep receipts, they won't have a clue how much stuff is worth, nor can they prove you bought it overseas.

 

If the item's value is less than $1000, no tax needs to be paid.

^ Exactly my point, fuck Australian Taxes,

[dizmo]

Aren't you allowed a certain amount to bring back without paying taxes?

If there's more than one person going just distribute your parts among them.

If you can only claim say $800, just pay the tax on the other $200.

It's not worth getting caught with it, having them charge you out the ass or confiscating it.

 

 

No import tax if you're carrying it through custom (Just hide it). My 5960X had a hell of a load of import tax IF it comes through customs through an online retailer.

 

The other way would to route the transaction through a personal company; (might want to see an accountant for that).

Recommending breaking the law isn't usually the best advice

 

You won't pay any.

 

Technically, you should pay GST on imports over $1k, but if everything's unpacked in your suitcase, customs is not going to ask about it. If you don't keep receipts, they won't have a clue how much stuff is worth, nor can they prove you bought it overseas.

 

If the item's value is less than $1000, no tax needs to be paid.

They usually just charge you tax based on a web search. Aka search a local store, tax you for that amount. They don't just say "oh, no receipt? That's cool. On you go."

If they see a bunch of computer parts in his luggage, they're not going to think he bought them on the plane...

[Dredgy]

Aren't you allowed a certain amount to bring back without paying taxes?

If there's more than one person going just distribute your parts among them.

If you can only claim say $800, just pay the tax on the other $200.

It's not worth getting caught with it, having them charge you out the ass or confiscating it.

 

 

Recommending breaking the law isn't usually the best advice

 

They usually just charge you tax based on a web search. Aka search a local store, tax you for that amount. They don't just say "oh, no receipt? That's cool. On you go."

If they see a bunch of computer parts in his luggage, they're not going to think he bought them on the plane...

 

They will almost certainly not pull you up for it, they don't care unless you are bringing in huge quantities. If there's no proof you're importing they aren't going to bother wasting time searching it up. You might have just bought it in Australia and travelled with it for whatever reason. Every single passenger has an iPad or Laptop or Smartphone on them that they may or may not have bought overseas. Pretty much any computer part will be under $1000 so not taxable anyway.

 

If you're an Australian citizen with nothing to declare, coming from Canada/USA, your bags are very unlikely to even be Xrayed, let alone searched.

[dizmo]

They will almost certainly not pull you up for it, they don't care unless you are bringing in huge quantities. If there's no proof you're importing they aren't going to bother wasting time searching it up. You might have just bought it in Australia and travelled with it for whatever reason. Every single passenger has an iPad or Laptop or Smartphone on them that they may or may not have bought overseas. Pretty much any computer part will be under $1000 so not taxable anyway.

 

If you're an Australian citizen with nothing to declare, coming from Canada/USA, your bags are very unlikely to even be Xrayed, let alone searched.

So if they're not taxable, why not declare them and not risk the trouble?

Several computer components are not even close to an iPad, laptop or smart phone.

[Dredgy]

So if they're not taxable, why not declare them and not risk the trouble?

Several computer components are not even close to an iPad, laptop or smart phone.

 

You don't have to declare them. There's not even a space on the form for it. It's just wasting custom officers time (and yours, who wants to be questioned on stuff they don't have to be after a 12 hour flight at 5AM and then being told it doesn't matter.)

You only have to declare wood, shells, organic matter, non-processed food etc, and cash amounts exceeding $10,000AUD or equivalent, as well as if you've been to certain African or South American countries or are exceeding your duty free allowance of alcohol or cigarettes.

 

I've travelled with a desktop PC overseas many times, as well as cameras, and things I've bought overseas (including a monitor) and never been questioned. I entered the county 50 times last year and screened once.