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Importing Schiits


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22 minutes ago, att23 said:

I am not a store owner/importer so I am not sure of the exact reason(s).

As a consumer, buying one item at a time, I personally have not seen any huge rise in shipping cost due to COVID.
But perhaps the story is different if a business needs to import half a container worth of goods.
More likely local businesses are being very cautious nowadays and only wanna sell what they already have in stock and not to overstock.

Overseas shipping are much more expensive now as a consumer because it's only limited to Courier companies like FedEX, DHL, UPS etc. These are because we have blocked all passenger flights and there's where sometimes our normal air parcels will tag to.

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2 hours ago, mrpato said:

Overseas shipping are much more expensive now as a consumer because it's only limited to Courier companies like FedEX, DHL, UPS etc. These are because we have blocked all passenger flights and there's where sometimes our normal air parcels will tag to.

I usually use courier anyway with overseas purchases so I don’t see any price hike. When I have to buy overseas, it means I am desperate, the item is rare, etc, so I like paying for courier for 1st class service. LOL. 
 

But you are correct if you are talking about normal post office options may not be available for some places during COVID. 

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I ordered from Schiit earlier in the year.  I went for the most expensive FedEx as the difference between cheapest and most expensive was less than $10.  The FedEx is tracked and insured and was significantly cheaper than USPS, with which tracking and insurance varied depending on price.  Given what is happening with the USPS at the moment, I wouldn't be keen to use them over a dedicated shipping service like FedEx or DHL.

 

I placed my order with Schiit July 30 and the package arrived August 3rd so I was pretty happy with that.

 

Unrelated to audio, I ordered something from Omagh in Northern Ireland in late May. Using DHL, it was shipped on May 25 and arrived on May 31.  My experiences with Australia Post recently and Amazon are significantly worse than that.

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The freight forwarder (FedEx, DHL) would be paying the GST (1/11th) on the sum of the product, the customs tax 5% and the price of the shipping, (US companies do the right thing).   That's why the 'shipping' is so much, that way Schiit doesn't have to deal with every countries tax laws and import duties etc.

 

It's different when it comes from the East, the cheeky buggers just say its a gift.

 

I did order a small piece of Schiit from them about 2 months ago through UPS the cheapest option (un-tracked and not insured) and to my surprise, I still could track it though the states, but not once it hit Australia.  It took 8 days to leave the states and about 4 days to get to may door, so not to bad.

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On 02/09/2020 at 9:16 PM, mrpato said:

Seems like A2A ran out most of their Schiits and the only way is to buy direct from Schiits website. 
 

Has anyone purchased direct from Schiit?

 

They only offer Fedex/USPS shipping which is expensive and wondering if it’s worth it with the addition of 10% GST + importing fees. 

 

Just to give an idea of shipping the Schiit Magni 3 to Australia:

  • FedEx International Economy $46.65
  • USPS Uninsured International $46.98
  • FedEx International Priority $52.31
  • USPS Priority International $69.98
  • USPS Priority Express International $93.63
  • Pickup at the Schiitr in Newhall, CA $0.00

I just recently purchased the Modius directly from Schiit, since nobody in Australia stocks it yet. 

I went with FedEx International Priority, which was $67.80 but of course the modius is a considerably bigger and heavier item than the Magni 3, which is what I'm guessing accounts for the difference in cost there. Schiit dispatched the unit on Thursday morning (Aus time) and it's currently in transit in NSW having left sorting. I expect it will be here early this coming week. (update: It came Monday)

As a point of comparison, I quite recently bought the Element II from JDS labs, I opted for UPS Worldwide Express Saver for $46.16 (plus $5.98 insurance) and boy did it come fast! I ordered it on a Thursday evening and it arrived on the Monday, which is damn impressive given that JDS labs custom engraved it for me. 

For what it's worth, I have never been charged for GST or import fees on any item where it wasn't collected at the checkout. I'm not sure I buy the "It's built into the shipping" explanation either. My JDS example above demonstrates that, the shipping was $46.16, and that's for a $399 item. It doesn't add up. I just think that they are (unintentionally, or otherwise) dodging GST, and good for them! AFAIC I shouldn't have to pay GST when importing something I literally can't buy here, no local retailer has been put at an unfair disadvantage. 

Edited by Doomguy
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12 hours ago, Doomguy said:

I just recently purchased the Modius directly from Schiit, since nobody in Australia stocks it yet. 

I went with FedEx International Priority, which was $67.80 but of course the modius is a considerably bigger and heavier item than the Magni 3, which is what I'm guessing accounts for the difference in cost there. Schiit dispatched the unit on Thursday morning (Aus time) and it's currently in transit in NSW having left sorting. I expect it will be here early this coming week.

As a point of comparison, I quite recently bought the Element II from JDS labs, I opted for UPS Worldwide Express Saver for $46.16 (plus $5.98 insurance) and boy did it come fast! I ordered it on a Thursday evening and it arrived on the Monday, which is damn impressive given that JDS labs custom engraved it for me. 

For what it's worth, I have never been charged for GST or import fees on any item where it wasn't collected at the checkout. I'm not sure I buy the "It's built into the shipping" explanation either. My JDS example above demonstrates that, the shipping was $46.16, and that's for a $399 item. It doesn't add up. I just think that they are (unintentionally, or otherwise) dodging GST, and good for them! AFAIC I shouldn't have to pay GST when importing something I literally can't buy here, no local retailer has been put at an unfair disadvantage. 

 

I think there is a threshold ($1000, including shipping costs) for the taxes. Never paid taxes for imports under, always paid them for imports above the threshold...

Edited by JulesOz
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On 06/09/2020 at 12:50 PM, JulesOz said:

 

I think there is a threshold ($1000, including shipping costs) for the taxes. Never paid taxes for imports under, always paid them for imports above the threshold...

Anything over aud$1000 is supposed to be declared and things under aud$1000 are supposed to have gst charged at point of sale. Only some o/s vendors charge it though. If you don't pay it at p.o.s, afaic (the regs are a bit confusing) you cannot be charged it when it arrives here. That's only for >$1000 which you'll often avoid too.

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2 minutes ago, Esoterica said:

Anything over aud$1000 is supposed to be declared and things under aud$1000 are supposed to have gst charged at point of sale. Only some o/s vendors charge it though. If you don't pay it at p.o.s, afaic (the regs are a bit confusing) you cannot be charged it when it arrives here. That's only for >$1000 which you'll often avoid too.


It seems that the $1,000 threshold is no longer a thing and GST will be charged even for a $1 item. All my eBay items from overseas have a GST charge on it. 
 

I’m just worried that the customs will hold the item if the parcel has a commercial value and GST has not been paid. 

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31 minutes ago, mrpato said:

It seems that the $1,000 threshold is no longer a thing and GST will be charged even for a $1 item. All my eBay items from overseas have a GST charge on it. 
 

I’m just worried that the customs will hold the item if the parcel has a commercial value and GST has not been paid. 

The government has enforced GST on eBay, Amazon and larger retailers. For overseas purchases,  it is pot luck whether your parcel gets picked up to pay GST and import duty. Therefore, assume GST and duty has to be paid, and it becomes a bonus if it slipped through...

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1 hour ago, mrpato said:


It seems that the $1,000 threshold is no longer a thing and GST will be charged even for a $1 item. All my eBay items from overseas have a GST charge on it. 
 

I’m just worried that the customs will hold the item if the parcel has a commercial value and GST has not been paid. 

The threshold still exists, although only if whichever vendor you buy from charge GST. Some of the bigger, more popular ones do but it sounds like Schiit don't, so if it's under $1k you shouldn't have to pay extra.

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21 minutes ago, Esoterica said:

The threshold still exists, although only if whichever vendor you buy from charge GST. Some of the bigger, more popular ones do but it sounds like Schiit don't, so if it's under $1k you shouldn't have to pay extra.

The $1000 threshold was abolished by the Federal Government after intense lobbying by Local Retailers.

Since then I have not bought anything from overseas so I have no idea how , when or even if they collect the GST.

Edited by Saxon Hall
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20 hours ago, Saxon Hall said:

The $1000 threshold was abolished by the Federal Government after intense lobbying by Local Retailers.

Since then I have not bought anything from overseas so I have no idea how , when or even if they collect the GST.

Thanks to Hardly normal and other sour candies.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I’ve ordered a couple of Bifrost 2’s and an Yggdrasil in the last couple of months with the FedEx Express option and they have all arrived super quick with no added fees. More economical than buying through retailers here anyway, who, from my sums are just buying retail like me and whacking some money on top.

Rob

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We need to support our local retailers by giving them our business when pricing is reasonable.  This is not intended to start up the moaning and groaning about price gouging here, but without specialist Hifi retailers in Australia, we will all be poorer.

 

Don't forget about warranty and the need to ship back if that happens.  No complaints please if you are unlucky and get the extra Customs charges (they do know how to use the Internet!).  It will be about 20% of total purchase price (product + shipping); 10% GST, 5% duty, customs charges.

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20 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said:

We need to support our local retailers by giving them our business when pricing is reasonable.  This is not intended to start up the moaning and groaning about price gouging here, but without specialist Hifi retailers in Australia, we will all be poorer.

 

Don't forget about warranty and the need to ship back if that happens.  No complaints please if you are unlucky and get the extra Customs charges (they do know how to use the Internet!).  It will be about 20% of total purchase price (product + shipping); 10% GST, 5% duty, customs charges.

I completely agree on supporting the locals. However, there's no stock anywhere and the usual 'stockist' has no idea when the next shipment will come at least in 2021. 

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5 minutes ago, mrpato said:

I completely agree on supporting the locals. However, there's no stock anywhere and the usual 'stockist' has no idea when the next shipment will come at least in 2021. 

Ditto on availability. This wasn't a price issue for me. I'd much rather have paid extra, supported local business, had easier potential warranty resolution and bought here in Melbourne however needs must etc.

Edited by luapnodyl
Can't spell or proof read
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Looking to purchase a Yggdrasil A2 from schiit directly after calculating it I would save around $2000 compared to buying it from A2A. Not to mention A2A has old stock (Gen3 usb) while Schiit has Unison usb.

 

Based on what people said in this thread, I shouldn't be paying anything extra (GST/Import tax) as the courier forks the cost? (Shipping is $500usd)

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31 minutes ago, Buff Hamster said:

Looking to purchase a Yggdrasil A2 from schiit directly after calculating it I would save around $2000 compared to buying it from A2A. Not to mention A2A has old stock (Gen3 usb) while Schiit has Unison usb.

 

Based on what people said in this thread, I shouldn't be paying anything extra (GST/Import tax) as the courier forks the cost? (Shipping is $500usd)

You may be lucky and pay nothing extra. But given the cost of unit, you will likely end up paying about 20% more of your total price (product + shipping) for GST, import duty and customs charges etc. 

 

And any warranty work will have to be shipped back...

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On 03/09/2020 at 6:44 AM, andyr said:

 

Yes, same here.  Parcels seem to 'get lost' in Perth for 2 or 3 weeks.  :(

 

Andy

 

I think it works both way. I ordered the new yello cd from.melbourne because i thouvht itwould be quicker than overseas)  on the 30/8/20 still waiting ????

 

Conversely a cd i orderedfrom the uk on the 25/8 /20 arrived today 

Edited by cafe67
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On 07/09/2020 at 8:18 PM, mrpato said:


It seems that the $1,000 threshold is no longer a thing and GST will be charged even for a $1 item. All my eBay items from overseas have a GST charge on it. 
 

 

All your eBay items ordered from os have a GST charge because eBay agreed to collect the Oz govt's tax.

 

I order things from US & European suppliers (not through fleaBay) and do not get charged GST.

 

Andy

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm all for supporting our local retailers in this small industry, but at the moment if you want to buy new Schiit,  you have no choice but to buy direct.

 

I have recently purchased Asgard3, b stock Bifrost2 and a few PYST cables, took about a week to ship, cost about $1500 all up. I figure if I ever have to ship back for any repair or RMA, I’ve saved nearly $700 vs local purchase, so I’m not so concerned.

 

 Btw, Schiit have 230v versions of both A3 and BF2 available in b-stock this morning, be quick !

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