How Much Tax is Paid when Buying from Overseas
When buying goods from overseas there is a consideration for Import duty and taxes for those goods. There is also a processing charge for making an Import Declaration.
However, there is an exception for low value imports. For imports with a value of under AUD1,000, you do not have to pay duty and taxes, unless the goods are: tobacco, tobacco products and alcohol.
Source: www.border.gov.au
If goods exceeding the value of $1,000 are in transit to you, without an import declaration, then these goods will be held and you will be advised of the import duties and taxes. On payment of this, the goods will be released to the final destination. If not paid within 30-45 days, the goods may be returned to sender or destroyed.