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Hi there.

I found a lot of offers from international sellers on ebay. The prices looks very attractive, but the question is - should or shouldn't I to pay custom tax and(or) duty?

The custom web site says that if the price is less than $1000 - it is duty and tax free. What is your own experience? Can you advise some good e-shop from your own experience?

Thank you

it depends on delivery methods and courier companies. Some couriers charge GST on order over 250 for the gov. Normal post is 1200.

Nito is correct but about new items.

Second hand items are subject for charge if their cost is higher than AU$1000. Technically, parcel can go through without a charge if you're lucky but meantime with all anti-terrorism programs etc. most of parcels are being checked

nito wrote:it depends on delivery methods and courier companies. Some couriers charge GST on order over 250 for the gov. Normal post is 1200.

It's $1000 for everything now, so basically if camera/lens/etc + shipping + insurance < AUD$1000 no GST is charged.

MCWB wrote:It's $1000 for everything now, so basically if camera/lens/etc + shipping + insurance < AUD$1000 no GST is charged.

I didn't know it's changed - I thought it applies to second-hand stuff only. Good to know! Thanks Trent!

If the deal looks to good, just becareful

New or 2nds you will still need a commercial invoice stating value of goods.

shutterbug wrote:New or 2nds you will still need a commercial invoice stating value of goods.

If parcel is insured (and I bet most people will insure expensive valuables) custom can use insurance as a price mark. If this is something you've bought from eBay, you need to print and fax winning bid page or email announcing that you're winner. It works well (based on personal experience)

ggena wrote: Can you advise some good e-shop from your own experience?

Thank you

Welcome to the forum. Two years ago, I bought my Canon 17-40 from Digital Rev Oz (out of Hong Kong) and I paid no duty or GST. The lens arrived in three days. It was $300 cheaper than Sydney retail.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/DigitalRev-AU ... eZl2QQtZkm

Cheers
Sheila

You're very luck Sheila

ggena, what sort of item are you looking to buy?

On separate occasions I've brought a camera body (EOS 350D) and a lens in from Hong Kong, both from DigitalRev. The lens was below the price cutoff and thus isn't really of much interest, but the camera was over the mark. Lady Luck let it through with no bills from Customs or the Federal government. My boss, however, had a second hand 1D mkII shipped from the states and he got hit with a customs bill. There's a large component of luck in it all, but if you plan for the eventualities and set some cash aside it shouldn't be painful.

Glen wrote:ggena, what sort of item are you looking to buy?

I'm looking for something like Nikon D50, Nikon D70 or Canon 350D. Probably second hand. This is my first SLR and I'm ready to spend about one grand.

My own experience,
customs will nail you for the total cost for their calculations, i.e.
- cost of items
- cost of freight
- cost of insurance (usually included in the freight)

Although my items were under the $1k mark the freight & insurance pushed it past and I ended up paying GST & some other charges.

ggena wrote:

Glen wrote:ggena, what sort of item are you looking to buy?

I'm looking for something like Nikon D50, Nikon D70 or Canon 350D. Probably second hand. This is my first SLR and I'm ready to spend about one grand.

Don't forget that buying a dSLR is just the start of your expense. You then have to invest in lenses. Now that's when the fun starts

Cheers
Sheila

Sheila Smart wrote:

ggena wrote:

Glen wrote:ggena, what sort of item are you looking to buy?

I'm looking for something like Nikon D50, Nikon D70 or Canon 350D. Probably second hand. This is my first SLR and I'm ready to spend about one grand.

Don't forget that buying a dSLR is just the start of your expense. You then have to invest in lenses. Now that's when the fun starts

Cheers
Sheila

Thanx

I already was advised with this phenomenon. My current task is to possess something that gives me an idea - is this mine kind of sport or not. That is why I'm looking for something budget and body kit with pretty good lenses. And certainly any advises are welcome

ggena wrote:I already was advised with this phenomenon. My current task is to possess something that gives me an idea - is this mine kind of sport or not. That is why I'm looking for something budget and body kit with pretty good lenses. And certainly any advises are welcome

I can't vouch for this mob as I've never used them however I've been keeping an eye on their 2nd hand equipment. I noticed yesterday the following: NIKON D100 Digital SLR Body #20073560 c/w MB-D100 Grip, 3x EN-EL3 Batteries, 2x Chargers - (Very Good) $850
Don't know if that will interest you however that is a very good price, similar setup went on e-bay the other day for over $1k.

ebay
European Camera Specialists

I have the D100 myself & as other owners can confirm, a good DSLR.

Ggena,

for a new overseas purchase I would consider http://www.hksupplies.com the owner Poon is a member here (under Poon), or once you become a full member (50 posts and and posting an image) from Birddog114.

I would seriously consider new Aus stock of the D50, with std lens it can be purchased for approx $1250 with aus warranty. That is only slightly outside your budget.

discount digital photographics has a d50 for$1069 with kit lens or $1279 with two lens.there in north sydney and they have a web site.
pa

myarhidia, thanx - I monitor the ebay for all this stuff and saw this ads. There are couple D70 now on sale as well.

Glen wrote:Ggena,

for a new overseas purchase I would consider http://www.hksupplies.com the owner Poon is a member here (under Poon), or once you become a full member (50 posts and and posting an image) from Birddog114.

I would seriously consider new Aus stock of the D50, with std lens it can be purchased for approx $1250 with aus warranty. That is only slightly outside your budget.

D50 with 18-55 lenses cost $999 in Teds and Camera House,

http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/di ... 247__.html

but I still look at overseas sellers like

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product ... =NKD501855

It will be about $100 cheap with 1G memory card (with delivery). That is why I open this topic

$100 is not enough to make it worthwhile. That will not cover the cost of a paid service in Australia or freight back overseas.

Have a look at this topic, 1/3 (one third) of respondents had needed some attention to their DSLR

http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=13373

Just before Christmas I bought a 350D from Digital-Rev-Oz via eBay.

At their current price: 350D body (no lens, extra battery) is AU$979.99. Add the $79 shipping, and $21 insurance (not optional) and you're looking at AU$1080. That's for a shiny new unit, in your choice of black or silver (take the black!).
There are kits with lenses available also, but I bought a body-only kit as I only needed it as a backup. I think the total price was in fact ~$1100 when I bought, and it came straight through to my door with no GST involved at all.

ggena, you must get a great rate on your currency transfers.

On your Beach Camera link the price with lens is $788US, using http://www.xe.com to convert that comes out at A$1,067 before freight or potential GST, etc. I think you might be trying too hard on this one.

Glen wrote:ggena, you must get a great rate on your currency transfers.

On your Beach Camera link the price with lens is $788US, using http://www.xe.com to convert that comes out at A$1,067 before freight or potential GST, etc. I think you might be trying too hard on this one.

Hmm......

look at right top corner

Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.
{FREE 1 GB SD card!}
Condition: Brand new, USA Warranty
Our Price: $649.00

649*1.35278 (rate http://www.xe.com) = 878

Plus delivery. Warranty is good point. I was sure that Nikon provide worldwide warranty. Hm...

ggena,
Even @ AU$878.00, you still have the plus.
Warranty? with that price, I'm not to worry about it!

Sorry missed some of it when it loaded (took a long time both times). Good price, it may be cheap enough for you to buy it. Didn't think they would ship for free to aus, though. You will need to get it shipped to a friend in the states first as they don't sell overseas. That is probably handy as they can ship it out of the box as a s/h item.

Overseas order info part way down page http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/usertpl ... =faq.htm#2

B&H in NY have it for the same price, their cheapest shipping is $59, so you could get it here for $961, still a saving.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home/

Glen wrote:B&H in NY have it for the same price, their cheapest shipping is $59, so you could get it here for $961, still a saving.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home/

This one without memory card. The saving doesn't worth risk. Ok. I'll check some more online shops and it looks like prices on ebay should go down after reduce price in shops.

Hm... Already get one from Ted's camera but found this one:

http://store.yahoo.com/royalcamera/nikond50kit.html

Maybe this helps someone

ggena wrote:Hm... Already get one from Ted's camera but found this one:

http://store.yahoo.com/royalcamera/nikond50kit.html

Maybe this helps someone

Looks like I gave really bad advice:

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1895.html

Sorry

ggena yous is going to lots of trubble to save $30-$50 buying stufs OS
for big stufs wen yous save $500-1000 is ok, buts if alls did likes yous wees wuld have no camera shops whens we wants anything - wees also haves no muney to buys wots you do or pays taxes for roads hosspittals ettc

annyways gots any snaps wit yous new camera