Bought item from seller via Amazon US, import costs were:
10% GST
5% customs duty
$33 AQIS
$50 Import Declaration
$480 all up.
Thinking of returning the item due to it not being fit for the advertised purpose.
I can't find any quality information of what, if anything, can be refunded if I return it to the US - thought some Ozbargainers might know.
Correct, not Amazon's problem - returning it to vendor straight. 30 day satisfaction guarantee and vendor happy to refund.
Item was a golf launch monitor - measures ball speed, trajectory etc.
You got ripped off. I could have devised a machine that reads out random ball speed, trajectory information, etc., triggered by the sudden sound of the ball being hit, for just $500.
:) $500 would also be a rip off as a phone, raspberry pi or windows app etc could also do the same.
If you can't get those costs paid to you you can try to ask for credits for future purchases.
Thinking of returning the item due to it not being fit for the advertised purpose.
As you bought it from the USA, those Australia laws don't apply. Amazon DOESN'T have to take it back if they don't want to.
I can't find any quality information of what, if anything, can be refunded if I return it to the US
Ring customs and ask.
Needed quicker advice due to 30 day satisfaction guarantee running out this weekend. Customs only weekdays on phone.
Returning straight to vendor. Warranty/return policy for the product on Amazon's site delegated to vendor.
So you have waited 30 days since receiving the item to say you don't like it!? Nice….
You can always start a return this weekend and ring customs on Monday to see what they say.
The return can be cancelled if you change your mind after speaking to customs.
At a wild guess, you'll get your GST ONLY back, all those 'other' fees, won't be refunded.
To illustrate how conclusions shouldn't be jumped to, I was after a second hand unit for ages but none showed up, so bought new, then second hand one showed up. Bought that too and put the new one on ebay. Had auction, winner pulled out of deal saying someone in his family bid without his approval, 2nd highest bidder ordered a new one after not winning, 3rd highest bidder bought something else and could no longer afford it.
In the meantime the second hand unit wasn't performing as advertised and talking with other owners and customer support revealed unit has limitations making use of the device impractical for the advertised purpose. It was on the 29th day that I learnt about the 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
The company in the end gave me a few days grace so I can indeed call on Monday.
To illustrate how conclusions shouldn't be jumped to
No your 'story' confirms what I said. You waited 30 days to try and wheel and deal a better deal, and now being caught out by running out of time.
What did you buy? Meat from OS lol that requires AQIS?
Well… lets wait for the OP to reply
you think amazon sends meat to Australia. HAHAHAHA sure sure
It's electronic equipment - I think they charged me $33 to determine it wasn't meat.
A very interesting problem. Please post the answer back here when you find out. I'm very curious.
It will be very useful information when the $1000 GST-free limit gets removed in the future. I may have to return some $2 cables :)
Planning on ringing tomorrow so will do.
I just can't see how this is going to work when the limit gets dropped - the 15% GST/duties - that's ok - but the flat $50 import declaration and $33 AQIS fee - all these $2 items we get from China will be no more if these fees stay the same.
The $2 thing was a joke, but I'm interested in the rest of the charges involved.
Yeah I know, but it brought up something that's been on my mind about this forthcoming removal of the $1000 threshold.
Nothing, not Amazon's problem.
Try to sell it here in Aus if possible?
What on earth did you buy for ~$2600?