I was due to receive my 580XD Tour this week and got a note in the mail yesterday that it is at the PO but I need to pay $92.25 in customs/gst before they will release it.
The club was sent USPS and valued at $400US($572AUD), well below the apparent $1000 limit for goods through the post so I rang Customs to dispute the charge. I was told in no uncertain terms that the $1000 limit is not for determining whether or not duties/taxes are payable but a limit above which the importer needs to provide documentation to get goods cleared.
In short I was told that Duty and Taxes will ALWAYS be levied whenever the assessed amount of duty and taxes is >$50. This is regardless of the means of delivery. I argued that I have rec'd plenty of stuff over the last 12 months of greater value than this and this is the first time I have been levied any charges.
Customs: "Well I can't explain that. I guess you have been lucky up to now."
Me: "Or maybe just unlucky this time"
What do you guys think?
PS My 704CBs are due any day now so it will be interesting to see if they get hit as well [-o<