Buying laptop from USA (Lenovo Y50)

ycon on 30/06/2014 - 14:26
Last edited 30/06/2014 - 14:59

Hi,

I've been looking for a laptop for a while and the Lenovo Y50 is one I've chosen. It's the right size, quality and fit for me. I've looked at the W650SJ but I wasn't mad about its' looks or keyboard.

I've found it on eBay (from AU $1,160-1300) delivered BUT there are import duties on top (~$100-$200). Is the rule that over $1000 means a 10% GST duty?

B&H also sell it (waiting to hear back about shipping costs) but will I have to pay GST duty on top of that too?

Amazon USA sell it, but ShipItTo add another $245 to it (and again, I presume I'd pay duty).

Am I correct in presuming if I paid ~$980AUD, and then $120AUD on top for shipping, I'd avoid duty? As long as the $USD amount calculates below $1000AUD on the day of shipping (the "exchange rate that is used is the rate applied on the day the goods were posted or exported")

Computing

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  • airzone on 30/06/2014 - 14:57
    +1

    Shipping cost is supposed to be included in your import charge calculations.

    You might be better off trying to see if they will reduce the value on the paperwork by a little. Most legit places will not though.

    • ycon on 30/06/2014 - 19:33

      Wait so I need to include shipping as part of the total cost? I read on silly WP that you didn't need to. I think this says you do need to pay duty on the combined cost:

      http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5549.asp#Duty

      This is a problem.. If anyone has done this, and found a site/store that is happy to reduce the paper work-let me know

      • airzone on 30/06/2014 - 22:22

        Yep, it's part of the total, otherwise you'd buy the unit for $100 and pay $1100 for shipping.

        The way it works out is:
        Price of laptop: $1000
        Shipping cost: $200
        Duty = 5% of laptop price: $50
        GST = 10% of (Laptop + shipping + duty): $125

        You then pay to the post office / fedex / or whoever collects duty that extra $175 on this scenario.

        Ask around to see if you can find someone to dummy up the customs invoice. But don't hold your breath.

  • ycon on 02/07/2014 - 16:16

    I just stumbled upon PriceUSA. Seem solid! Also I could do ShipItTo (they're cheap- I was wrong, I put it in inches instead of CM's).

  • hayneplane on 02/07/2014 - 22:47
    +1

    no, shipping is exclusive of total purchase
    need to be wary of the usd aud conversions make sure it's <1000 or you'll get hit by 5% duty and 10% gst
    -source me who just got wrecked buying a laptop from the us

    • ycon on 13/07/2014 - 11:53

      How did you get wrecked- did you use a freight forwarder or just order it directly from the site?

  • Innamura on 17/07/2014 - 14:26

    Hi ycon, did you manage to buy the y50 off B&H? I am interested in getting one when i travel to the US in Sept and tried looking up B&H's website but can't seem to find the Y50 on their webpage. I have a Y580 and love it to bits, passing it on to my family to use.

  • Vortex99 on 21/07/2014 - 15:43

    Would you have to get another laptop power brick? Because USA = 110 volts, plug it into Aussie 240v powerpoint and POW!

    • ycon on 24/07/2014 - 14:38

      I'm pretty sure you just need to change the power cord part of it (ie don't use a power convertor/adapter)

    • oringal on 05/08/2014 - 22:20

      laptop power bricks are universal cause people travel around the world with laptops…

  • ycon on 24/07/2014 - 14:36

    Just an update:

    I thought the Y50 was good, but after reading review/getting feedback- I found out it has a very poor screen (replaceable for ~$80) and poor battery life. It's also on the heavy side at 2.4kgs.

    I decided on the W230SS (860m, 13.3") for compact, lighter, and longer-battery life option.

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