Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just purchased a new '07 4003 JG from the US the other day that has been shipped via UPS. I've checked my tracing number and the RIC is here in Melbourne and I get this message via the UPS track and trace:

Package Progress
Location Date Local Time Description

ASCOT VALE, VIC, AU

22/11/2007 9:24 A QUARANTINE WAS REQUESTED BY A GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY
22/11/2007 9:24 REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY / SHIPMENT SUBMITTED TO CLEARING AGENCY
22/11/2007 9:24 REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY / RELEASED BY CLR AGENCY. NOW IN-TRANSIT

This is the first time I've imported a instrument from overseas... So to any of the other forum mems here from Melbourne (other parts of Australia) is this bad, or nothing to be worried about? Also, is it true that UPS charge hidden fees once items arrive?

Thanks Guys!

Josh

Seems typical of what I've read others post about getting an instrument imported. You may owe the clearing agency. Where's one of your fellow Aussies when you need one?!

Josh:

I've had this happen on a couple of occasions....... it usually occurs when it's a high value item and it slows down the delivery process by a few days. UPS do not charge any hidden fees. If they are required by customs to submit an entry for clearance then there is a fee for that (I think around $60) and also a fee for quarantine ($33 last time) that covers additional x-rays, etc. You will probably be subject to GST on the value of the instrument also and they may try to charge you duty in which case you will need a free trade declaration, which I can email to you. If there are any fees and duty payable UPS will contact you regarding this and give you the opportunity to pay over the phone using a credit card, although the first time it happened to me I received an invoice in the mail.

All of this is above board and government regulated.... it's not UPS's doing. What was the declared value of the instrument?

Howard

Hey Mate!

Thanks for the reply! Not too sure, they guy thinks the chick at the UPS place in the US stuffed up and only marked the value at a 1$??? He was quite stumped by it I think! I think it was insured for $800 US, then the shipping as well was $400 US. I only have $500 set aside for all of these possible fees, so I hope it's not more than that as I don't have the extra money to cover any other costs... That would be great if you could email me that form haha I think this will be the last time I import a bass....

Cheers!

Josh

Just checked again and got this:

Package Progress
Location Date Local Time Description
ASCOT VALE, VIC,
AU 22/11/2007 11:06

A QUARANTINE WAS REQUESTED BY A GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY / BROKERAGE RELEASED SHIPMENT. SHIPMENT IS SUBMITTED TO CLEARING AGENCY FOR FURTHER CLEARANCE

22/11/2007 11:06

PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE

Hi Josh.

If it was declared at $1 value then I would suggest that is why customs has got involved..... they're not stupid and UPS has an obligation to alert them of anything suspect - which a guitar or bass with a value of $1 certainly is!! You may get a call from UPS or customs regarding the declared value in which case you need to be honest - i.e. what it actually cost you. If it's under $1000 AUD then you should be OK. If they give you a hard time you may need to get some sort of decalaration from the seller. This is all worst case scenario, mind you........

All the updates on the UPS site don't mean much. Every time the package moves from one part of their depot to another (i.e. in and out of the bond area) it's scanned and entered into the tracking log.

Keep us updated......

I'll be very upset if they lady at UPS in the US did mark it at a $1 US instead of $1499 US... Very, Very stupid on her behalf! Oh for sure, If either do ring I will for sure tell them that I paid $1499 US. What a pain the bum... I'll just be happy once I have it, hopefully I'll get it haha Thanks for the help/info mate

No probs..... best of luck!

Thanks mate I'm just a bit angry with UPS in the US... I just hope the fees won't cost me more than $500 AU, if so I'm stuffed as I won't have the money and the bass will be forfitted....

I'm surprised that the UPS person in the US put the value at $1..... usually it would be the person submitting the article for shipment.

Let's see..... worst case scenario (excluding duty, which you shouldn't have to pay). $60 entry fee, $33 quarantine fee, $1499US = $1740AUD = $174 GST, total = $267. You'll be OK, Josh!!

Australian customs are very savy and they do know the value of things.
However the times that I have spoken to them on the phone etc they are really helpful and good to deal with.
If you get a fee for importing and gst and stuff it is usually a fair cop.
If you can keep your total value (including postage) under $1000au they won't bat an eyelid (providing it looks like a genuine value) but if it works out to be $1001 be prepared for it to cost you an extra $150+
Still the aussie dollar is fairly strong right about now...
emac.

I spoke to UPS today and it wasn't valued at $1, which is damn good! Thanks for the info guys!

Here's the last info on the UPS site:

Package Progress
Location Date Local Time Description

ASCOT VALE, VIC,
AU 22/11/2007 16:41
IN TRANSIT

SYDNEY, AU 22/11/2007 16:40
ARRIVAL SCAN

ASCOT VALE, VIC,
AU 22/11/2007 12:16
PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE / RELEASED BY CLEARING AGENCY. NOW IN-TRANSIT FOR DELIVERY

Josh,

Good luck with your new bass--I appreciate your posting this in the detail you have. I've never shipped to Australia (or out of the US for that matter), so it's quite informative for me.

Question for you good folks down under--if you come to the US and bring a guitar back with you, how does the gov't view that? Or conversely, if I were to visit Australia and bring a guitar with me, which I then sell, how does that work?

Sorry for asking things slightly off topic here....

Bill

Looks like it's been cleared and on its way, Josh..... with no additional costs!

Hi Bill. I've returned to Australia twice with a guitar that I picked up in the US. The first time I declared that I was bringing in goods over the value limit and I was asked by the lady in immigration what I had. I was totally honest and told her it was a guitar that I'd bought in the US four months prior and it cost me $1399 USD. She commented that it must have depreciated in value a lot since then and I answered 'oh...... absolutely!!'. She winked at me, stamped and signed by declaration card and I went straight through no further questions asked.

The second time I didn't declare anything..... I had a guitar and another empty case. If I was questioned I was going to tell them that it was my guitar and I took it to a conference in the US. I waltzed straight through no questions asked.

Usually they will accept a statement that it is yours and you took it out of the country. Mind you, Darren Trott has brought 6 or 7 back with him in one hit and got through!!

Did you purchase the bass from a dealer or an individual? You said it was new so a little red flag went up re: shipping outside the US.