Customs Brokers and Fees!!!

Plums · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 02:44 AM

I have a problem. Some stuff has arrived from the U.S (transported by BAX-Global) and comes in under the $1000 duty threshold. BAX are telling me that I have to pay $350 in Brokers fees, taxes and other charges.......
They tell me that these fees have nothing to do with Duty and GST, (which are not applicable to this consignment because it's under the $1000 threshold) and would apply even if the item was worth $1. Of course if the item was over the threshold you would have to pay these fees PLUS the Duty and GST.

I didn't pay a cent extra for the stuff from the UK which arrived by Post.

Help....

Beejay · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 03:03 AM

I think you are screwed Plums..

Did you organise the freight or was it sent via Bax from the sender?

If Bax is doing the customs clearance they can charge what they like.

I assume this was air freight?

If you can itemise the charges I may be able to tell you if they are reasonable, my wife is in the import field.

Ben

Plums · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 03:34 AM

The sender organised the freight and yes it was air-freight.

I thought if the items were under the threshold you didn't need a broker at all???

427 S/O · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 05:12 AM

Plums, as a customs broker I can tell you the average U.S. air import charge is about $65, not including merchandise processing fee, duties (if any) and shipping from U.S. port of arrival in the U.S., to your residence. BAX may have other charges and, they may have classified your items incorrectly?.
I left the import field to work in customs compliance but keep in touch with a number of brokers across the U.S., send me a detailed list of your items and I will let you know customs duties and fees. If you plan to import in the future, let me know and I will put you in touch with a couple of brokerage firms that don't have exorbitant import service charges, customs charges will always apply.

Philm · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 05:45 AM

I recently got some parts from the US and they organised Bax Global to deliver to the airport, the Freight was only $250.00us for 2 large heavy boxes.
However Bax Global then charged me $750.00AUS for a whole range of things from Freight to the customes agent, airport handling fee etc etc.

I questioned every line and that bill was reduced to about $400.00.

The items still worked out much cheaper than buying in Australia, some were not available in Australia anyway.

I think the best way is to get a direct shipment to your door, using Fed Ex and althought the cost may seem high it will be cheaper in the end.

Phil

Plums · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 06:41 AM

I'm going to pick up the goods tomorrow so I'll let you all know how I get on.

Plums · #7 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 10:41 PM

Well, things just got worse for me. I was supposed to be picking up my goods yesterday but didn't receive a phone call to say they were ready.

I rang them today and they said the goods were with AQIS for a random inspection. It turns out that this "random inspection" may add another $114 to the bill, (anything from $15 to $114 they said)....

"Not happy Jan"......

Plums · #8 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 01:21 AM

If you can detect a strange odour that you can't quite identify, try not to worry...... IT'S JUST ME BURNING!!!!!!

That's right, I got burnt quite badly... I had to pay $160 for the AQIS inspection PLUS the other charges - grand total $520

I'm heading out the back to smash something, surely that will make me feel better

LoBelly · #9 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 02:05 AM

The downside of the whole - 'User Pays' thing is that the inefficiency is built into the price.

But more interestingly - AQIS?? - the quarantine inspection service.

Are you going for organic certification on your cobra?

(dont hit the car)

LoBelly

Plums · #10 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 02:39 AM

When you think things can't possibly get any worse - apparently they can!

After my experience with the fees, taxes and inspection ordeal, I figured I needed some retail therapy - off to Bunnings I go.

I have never been to the particular Bunnings I was trying to find, so I became a little bit lost. Whilst driving down a fairly narrow road, the van in front of me decides to stop, (pretty much in the middle of the road too). Now by this stage I am absolutely fuming - I've had a **** week at work, the parts that I thought would cost $900 actually cost me $1400, and now there's a guy stoppping my retail therapy..... My friends call me Daisy, beause I drive like I'm driving Miss Daisy, BUT I'd had enough... There was a road heading off to the right that I decided might be a reasonable escape route. I completely fried the bags up this road and felt like I had relieved some of my frustration, that was until the blue lights came on. To cut the story short, the cop was pretty good about and didn't give me a fine, (in fact he said he was pretty impressed).... I guess my bad luck has ended.... here's hoping!!!

Yes, AQIS is the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. They do random checks and if they pick your goods you just have to cough up the money....