OzDozer
Senior Member
We have very little by way of import tariffs on items coming into Australia today. They were nearly all removed as part of the deal when GST was introduced in year 2000.
However, some items escaped, and a few odd items still incur a 5% tariff duty. GST is applied to imports.
Australia's average tariff rate is 0.71% across the board. Back in the bad old days of the 1950's and 1960's, tariffs could be as high as 90%. They were all about protecting Australian industry, manufacturing and farming. However, tariffs started to be dismantled in the mid-1970's.
A few businesses try to add handling charges here, but they are very rare. Auction houses are probably the worst for excessive charges, they even hit you with a handling charge for paying cash!
Port handling charges are pretty vicious, with charges added endlessly, giving "nickel and dime ya" a whole new meaning.
Port Security charges, container handling charges, warehousing charges, brokers fees, recording fees - it's like everyone found the blueberry pie, and wants their finger in it.
However, some items escaped, and a few odd items still incur a 5% tariff duty. GST is applied to imports.
Australia's average tariff rate is 0.71% across the board. Back in the bad old days of the 1950's and 1960's, tariffs could be as high as 90%. They were all about protecting Australian industry, manufacturing and farming. However, tariffs started to be dismantled in the mid-1970's.
A few businesses try to add handling charges here, but they are very rare. Auction houses are probably the worst for excessive charges, they even hit you with a handling charge for paying cash!
Port handling charges are pretty vicious, with charges added endlessly, giving "nickel and dime ya" a whole new meaning.
Port Security charges, container handling charges, warehousing charges, brokers fees, recording fees - it's like everyone found the blueberry pie, and wants their finger in it.
