Can they actually get away with this? Here is a cautionary note for anyone having stuff sent from overseas.

I just received a letter on behalf of Customs regarding a parcel. The letter says I have to pay an extra $100+ to obtain my item.

We all know that imports under $400, which means GST under $60, are tax-free. My item was valued at $360 so I thought I was sweet. Except that postage from the US came to $78 and the buggers added GST to that, bringing the amount to just over $60. Result: I have to pay extra GST, Import Transaction Fee, GST on Import Transaction Fee, Biosecurity Levy, GST on Biosecurity Levy, total well over $100 on a $360 item. In other words, more than 25%.

Surely there has to be something wrong with this. It certainly doesn’t feel right. Can any lawyers out there explain it to me in terms that don’t sound like I’m being royally shafted?

Anyway, be warned. If you are in a position to adjust the value you declare, make sure to include the postage.