BEWARE - shipping items home from overseas diving destinations can result in unforeseen costs

[Wookie]

+1 to what Marie said. My dad’s wife moved forest products in truck and rail car quantities back and forth to Canada. They were the broker, and crossed in a limited number of places. The least screwup could result in lengthy delays and bonded storage fees. And if you had to bond out a railcar or a train the fees were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per day when the train can’t move.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Having moved to Australia and back to the US, I’m not sure if I’d ever ship something back home ever again, unless it was a business that was set up to handle it for me.

While not representative of the entire world, American and Australian customs were a pain in the .....

I was lucky the one time I had excessive carry on weight, I was able to place my much heavier of two bags next to someone sleeping (the airport was virtually empty for an early morning flight).

But I don’t push my luck anymore.

 

[Marie13]

Having moved to Australia and back to the US, I’m not sure if I’d ever ship something back home ever again, unless it was a business that was set up to handle it for me.

While not representative of the entire world, American and Australian customs were a pain in the .....

I was lucky the one time I had excessive carry on weight, I was able to place my much heavier of two bags next to someone sleeping (the airport was virtually empty for an early morning flight).

But I don’t push my luck anymore.

Dealing with customs as an airline passenger and as an actual importer are two totally different things.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Dealing with customs as an airline passenger and as an actual importer are two totally different things.

That was kind of my point.

 

[flyboy08]

Hi All, just got worked over by our duties customs and taxes system in Australia.

Bought 3 x large dragon flies for garden -= $AUS 953
Boxing and shipping = $AUS 300 total cost 1253

Importers costs = $AUS 437
Customs = $AUS 295
taxes = $AUS 210 (note over $1000 as cost calc includes original shipping)
customs admin 1x93+1x92 = $AUS 185

Total cost for item bought for $953 = $AUS 1,475 + 953 = $AUS 2,428

I still have to get it to my home and if I don't pick it up within 3 days fees start to accumulate.

Do not do this ever. I was shocked at the costs and now I know why everything in Australia is so bloody expensive

Move to America.

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

Australia is quite expensive and it's custom/import regulations are a pain in the neck.

But no one comes close to good ol' US of A. As an expat, the ulcers I get from moving stuff in and out of the country are enough to keep Pepto-Bismol in business for the next 10 years.

 

[billt4sf]

I'm glad to read all this because I was contemplating buying some Bali art to have it shipped home (to the US). Guess I won't be doing that.

- Bill

 

[Marie13]

I'm glad to read all this because I was contemplating buying some Bali art to have it shipped home (to the US). Guess I won't be doing that.

- Bill

Don’t do it. Save yourself a lot of trouble. Take pictures of it. Much more portable and easier to deal with!

 

[Dogbowl]

Don’t do it. Save yourself a lot of trouble. Take pictures of it. Much more portable and easier to deal with!

But I always thought American travellers could import stuff purchased while abroad without duties/tariffs? I’m probably using those words wrong, forgive me. Kind of like when Americans buy stuff online from out of the country. I could be totally wrong.

 

[Wingy]

UK also imposes duties and taxes and freight handling. A laptop I sent to UK incurred over £800 in fees.