Zapals (and Other Similar Outlets) Collecting GST?

• 

  Clear on 02/07/2018 - 10:24

  -1

  Not surprising

  Will this be clearly specified on the parcel to avoid double charging at customs?

  Has being charged at customs even been confirmed? I don't think anyone knows what will happen.

• 

  cristtos on 02/07/2018 - 10:26

  Another question is:
  Will the postage be GST loaded?

  There are items where you "only" pay for postage, how would those be treated by customs?

  Many questions around this…

• 

  retiredfeline on 02/07/2018 - 10:28

  +1

  I doubt if customs will pay attention to low value goods, as is the case now. Too much work.

• 

  joungs on 02/07/2018 - 10:38

  +1

  Anyone know if gearbest is or is planning to collect gst?

  • 

    retiredfeline on 02/07/2018 - 10:39

    +1

    What did they say when you asked them? :)

    Maybe you could buy an item and let us know.

  • 

    Clear on 02/07/2018 - 11:00

    -1

    They are.

• 

  CacheHunter on 02/07/2018 - 21:30

  +2

  They may be collecting it. The more interesting question is whether they will pass it on to the ATO. I struggle to imagine many of these businesses wanting to waste their time filling in a BAS for the ATO, let alone remit the money collected.
  Just imagine if other countries follow Australia's model so that these retailers have to lodge tax paperwork for each country that they sell into.

  • 

    jason andrade on 10/09/2018 - 22:09

    Not a fan of the GST on low cost items but lets take your last point.

    Just imagine if retailers do in fact have to lodge tax paperwork for each country they sell into.. and think about the scenarios:

    • They go from making money to losing money - pretty simple. As a business they would fold.
    • They go from making a lot of money to.. making less money. So that'd slow things down - but would they fold or stop selling here? Probably not.
    • They go from making a lot of money to.. still making a lot of money. How ? pass on some costs to the consumer. partly by being more efficient.

    I'm not saying I disagree completely with your POV - just figuring that business has been dealing with paperwork for a long time now and generally finds a way to pass on the costs.. or perhaps work around the costs.

    On a personal level, it sure is annoying to have a sale denominated in USD and have GST being applied in USD.. it feels like you're just paying more than you need to be, some how.