Aussie PSers, I Need Some Help with O/S Purchase

[melave]

Hi all

I am looking at buying myself some preset studs from whiteflash, but when i went to check out it said i had to wire transfer.

How have you guys done this? My bank charges a fortune for exchanging money, plus their exchange rate is not the best. Can you still do it on a credit card? Or did you go into the banks and do it?

Also as it is over $1000 how did you do the customs forms? can you do it in advance or do you have to wait for the letter from customs?

Thanks in advance

 

[ZahraLeyla]

For bank transfers, we used OzForex. They offer the best rates by far, but you can't use a credit card. I think the first couple of transfers are commission free.

For customs, I tracked the shipment via FedEx, then once it landed in Aus I called FedEx to expedite the process, and make sure that I didn't get charged any duty. As long as you have the tracking number, they should be able to leave notes on the item for you so it doesn't get held up.

 

[melave]

thanks Zahra

Can you use Ozforex for a one off payment? I don't see me doing a lot of transactions online where i have to bank transfer. Did you use this for your diamond?

So for set stones i only have to pay GST? and did you pay that to Fedex and they forwarded it on? I am not really understanding how this works sorry

 

[MqLove]

You should only have to pay 10% GST, which FedEx will chase you up about once it gets in the country and then forward it to Customs. Duty shouldn't be paid, as long as there's paperwork to say it's made in the US. FedEx + Customs also takes a ~$50 processing fee.

 

[ZahraLeyla]

thanks Zahra

Can you use Ozforex for a one off payment? I don't see me doing a lot of transactions online where i have to bank transfer. Did you use this for your diamond?

So for set stones i only have to pay GST? and did you pay that to Fedex and they forwarded it on? I am not really understanding how this works sorry

You can use OzForex for as many, or as few, transfers as you like. You can sign up online.

As long as you have the AUSFTA paperwork completed, you will only need to pay GST on the purchase. This is paid directly to FedEx (usually over the phone using a credit card), and they pass it onto Customs for you. Ask Whiteflash to prepare the paperwork for you - they should be familiar with it.

 

[melave]

Hi all

Thanks for the info regarding the paperwork.

Zahra i looked at that ozforex site and it is asking a lot of personal information that i am not sure if i am happy to disclose, especially for a one off

so i rang my bank and they said they will only charge 22 for an international money transfer, but then their bank in the USA will charge 25 dollars and then WF bank will also charge This is getting too difficult. Does anyone know what WF bank will charge for a transfer?

 

[MqLove]

You can't pay via credit card? I have a credit card that doesn't charge for international transactions and has very very good exchange rates, or does the wire dicount make this not viable?

I just had to give ID to pay via CC.

 

[melave]

Hi Mq

I would prefer to pay by cc but there doesn't seem to be that option on the website. And you can't do a transfer via cc.
I have the same a cc with good exchange rate and no international transaction fees but i can't see that option on whiteflash

 

[MqLove]

Yes, I've just seen on the WF website that they don't allow international CC - I'm afraid I can't be much help!

 

[tcb4ep]

For purchases from the US, does anyone have any details on what paperwork is necessary to ensure Customs doesn't charge import duty? Just a customs declaration form from the seller?

Regards,

Peter

 

[Dandi]

I signed up for OzForex but they only allowed me to do transactions $2000 and over, which was no good to me as I wanted to pay for one diamond (about $1200) while I waited for a match for it. I ended up using netbank on the Commonwealth Bank website, I think the fee was about $22. To avoid 5% duty you need a declaration from WF, which they are familiar with anyway due to the AUSFTA. Also the relevant forms on the customs website.

This is a snippet from this thread: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-ring-ausfta.130164/page-4']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-ring-ausfta.130164/page-4[/URL]

Our wonderful arjunajane took the time to explain how to fill out the relevant forms on the cutoms website.

I would like to state up-front this should be used as a guide only, *please* ensure your purchase qualifies under the relevant customs policies by reading through the research and discussions earlier in this thread, and make sure your vendor is able to provide you the proof you will require.

If you are unsure whether your purchase qualifies, you should contact the Australian Customs'' dedicated refund centre on(03)9244 8054 or email address: [email protected].

To start, you will need the following Customs forms, which can be downloaded from http://www.customs.gov.au/ (I usually just plug the form # into the search function):

B653 - Refund Application
B650 - Import Declaration

You will need your original import declaration to help you fill out the forms - you would have received this from FedEx with your package (looks a bit like an invoice)

Step 1: B653, fill out all the fields as follows:
- your declaration ID and owner ID can be found on your import declaration.
- leave owner reference blank.
- owner name is your name.
- "Have the goods been dealt with in accordance...." - tick yes.
- "Are you entitled to a refund of GST..." - tick yes.

For the statement explaining why a refund is being sought, write something referring to qualifying for AUS-US FTA preferential tariff rates, but failed to apply at the time of import.

- The refund reason type is "E" - "manifest error of fact or patent misconception of law". (basically just means mistake, lol)..
- "Has a duty drawback been claimed?" - tick no.

- and of course, fill out your personal and banking details.

Customs won''t update you on how your claim is going - if you are successful, after 30 days the refund will just show up in your account.


Step 2: B650

You''ll notice on the refund form it says "Important - you MUST attach to this application a new declaration on which you have indicated what changes are to be made to your import declaration by completing ONLY the fields that have changed".

So, although B650 is 3 pages long - Don''t re-fill the whole thing. You are only concerned with the last page, specifically Section C : Tariff Details. Fill out as follows:

- Origin Country is - "US"
- Preference origin country is - "US"
- Preference Scheme type is - "US"
- Preference Rule type - now this one *could* change, depending on what it is you are claiming for. However, 99% of the time it is going to be "PS". **
This is all you need to complete for this form.

** This relates to statement of rules of origin. Rule type PS means : "goods (except clothing and textiles) produced entirely in the US from non-originating materials. Relates to goods made in the US from US materials and materials from other countries"

This rule clearly applies to the majority of our purchases, as they are manufactured in the US but most often contain precious gems and metals that may or may not come from the US.

I would like to state here to please ensure you select the correct rule type for your purchase; if you''re unclear, speak to your vendor or the customs refund centre.

I followed aj's instructions, emailed my forms and was promptly refunded for the duty I paid in order to release the package from Fedex. I don't know if you can do it prior to receiving the package because you need the international customs number.

Good luck!! Which studs are you planning to get??

 

[melave]

hi all

Oh Dandi thankyou!!! that is fantastic. i spent most of the morning searching on here trying to find out some info. In the end i gave up and ordered them

I used the commonwealth IMT as well, but i am not sure if i did it right. I will try and get back in tomorrow and see if it worked. I wasn't 100% on how to do it, so i guessed it was scary!!!

i bought a pair of 0.50ctw w prong presets in YG
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/w-prong-diamond-earrings-1295.htm

and a pair of the bezel presets 0.75tcw in YG.
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-earrings/handmade-full-bezel-diamond-earrings-1538.htm

I couldn't find much on the WF presets here but maybe i wasn't searching properly, I am hoping they will be ok

 

[Dandi]

They'll be gorgeous!! WOW two pairs you lucky girl!! Let us know how it all works out!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Just for future ref: ozforex will let you make transactions under $2000 if you call them to arrange it. I did the same thing as DandiAndi and paid for 1 stone and then the other and they were happy to send under $2k for each transaction. I did this on 4 seperate occasions. I think the fee was $15 each time and they offered better exchange rates than all of the big banks.

 

[Dandi]

Just for future ref: ozforex will let you make transactions under $2000 if you call them to arrange it. I did the same thing as DandiAndi and paid for 1 stone and then the other and they were happy to send under $2k for each transaction. I did this on 4 seperate occasions. I think the fee was $15 each time and they offered better exchange rates than all of the big banks.

Really?? That's great to know, thanks HOT!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

No worries! I wouldn't have known either except AJ gave me the heads up.

 

[melave]

Hi all

Yeh Dandi i couldn't decide between the 2 so hey i got both!!! maybe i should have got one larger pair, but i can't see me wearing much bigger than 0.75tcw. I think i have small earlobes, about the only thing that is small

Thanks for that information HOT. I got scared with all the info Ozforex wanted. I don't plan on anymore big purchases, but hey who know what will happen in the future. I think i have a pretty good little bling collection and do get some looks when i wear it bling isn't big here

Well the IMT went through!!!! so i did something right. Apparently it will take a week to make my earrings so hopefully i'll have them in 2-3 weeks. Yay!!

Thank you all for your help, i really do appreciate it

 

[Dandi]

Yippeee!!!!

 

[melave]

OK so they are on their way!!!! Yay!!! I am getting peeved with the postal system in australia though. I mean how can it only take 2 days to get from the USA to Australia, but then take 4 days so far to get to WA???? my earring sat over east for the weekend according to the tracking and haven't even made it to wa yet!!! CRAZY!!!!!!

Anyway WF sent me some pics of my earrings, which has tide me over but i am so impatient!!!

I thought i would post them here

 

[melave]

and the other pair. The diamonds look a bit yellow in the pics. I hope they don't look like that IRL

 

[SparklyOEC]

Oh both pairs of earrings are just stunning!

 

[melave]

They. Are. HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so i really should learn not to rely on tracking

They are HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well to me anyway.
Just waiting for my phone and camera to charge and i will start a thread

Thanks again for all your help

 

[Dandi]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!! SO excited for you meleve, I've been waiting for these pics!! They are gorgeous!!!

 

[melave]

Thanks Dandi

I started a new thread for them. I must warn you, i went nuts with the photos

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-whiteflash-preset-studs.171803/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-whiteflash-preset-studs.171803/[/URL]

 

[Dandi]

Yippee!!!!