Despite being probably the most attractive export markets in Asia Pacific, Australia isn’t always easy and simple location to conduct business. In relation to cross-border trade, the country ranked 91st beyond 190 countries on the planet Bank’s Easy Conducting business report for 2017 – well below other regional powerhouses like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. To be successful in Australia, goods-based businesses need to have a solid knowledge of how its numerous customs and trading rules affect them.
“The best bet for the majority of Australian businesses, particularly logistics lessons, would be to utilize a logistics provider who can handle the heavier complexities of the customs clearance process for the kids,” says Ben Somerville, DHL Express’ Senior Manager of Customs & Regulatory Affairs for Oceania. “With some effort though, now you may learn motor the basic principles to adopt their cross-border operations to a higher level.” Allow me to share five quick lessons to obtain service repair shop started:
1. GST (and its deferral)
Most Australian businesses will face the 10% Goods and Services Tax, or GST, for the products you can choose from along with the goods they import. Any GST that a business pays may be claimed back like a refund from Australian Tax Office (ATO). Certain importers, however, can simply not pay the tax as opposed to the need to claim it back, under exactly what the ATO is the term for as “GST deferral”. However, your small business has to be registered not only for GST payment, but also for monthly Business Activity Statements (BAS) to become qualified to apply for deferrals.
“You don’t reduce any costs by deferring your GST, but you will simplify and streamline your cash-flow,” advises Somerville. “That may prove worthwhile for businesses to modify over to monthly BAS reporting, particularly those who’ve tied to greater common quarterly schedule so far.”
Duty is 5% and pertains to goods value while GST is 10% and relates to amount goods value, freight, insurance, and duty
SMEs should make sure they do know the gap between duties and also the GST.
2. Changes on the LVT (Low Value Threshold)
As yet, Australia had the greatest Low-Value Threshold (LVT) for imported goods on the globe, exempting most components of $1000 and below from GST. That’s set to change from 1 July 2018, as the Federal Government looks to scrap the LVT for those B2C (read: e-commerce) imports. B2B imports and B2C companies with lower than AU$75,000 in turnover shouldn’t have the modifications.
“Now that the legislation has become passed through Parliament, Australian businesses should start preparing for the changes as soon as possible,” counsels Somerville. “Work along with your overseas suppliers on registering for a Vendor Registration Number (VRN) using the ATO, familiarize yourselves with the best way to remit GST after charging it, and prepare to add it in your pricing models.”
The newest legislation requires eligible businesses to subscribe with all the ATO for a Vendor Registration plate (VRN), used to track GST payable on any overseas supplier’s goods. Suppliers lead to GST payment towards the consumer with the Pos, then remitting it towards the ATO on a regular basis.
3. Repairs and Returns
“Many businesses visit us with questions about whether they’re responsible for import duty and tax when they send their goods abroad for repair, or receive items back from overseas customers for repair or replacement,” says Mike Attwood, Customs Duty Manager at DHL Express Australia. “The key question we must ask them is: do you think you’re conducting the repairs under warranty?”
Should your business repairs or replaces something in its warranty obligations, you spend neither duties nor taxes for the product – providing your documentation reflects this. Include the words “Warranty Replacement” or “Repair”, record the item’s value as “No Charge”, and ensure you continue to enter a “Value for Customs” – that which you paid to produce them originally – within your documents.
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