Buying some parts online from RHDJapan

The amounts total to over 1k

Would I be charged taxes when they come in? I can split my order into 2 sub 1k orders for same price if that avoids taxes 

Or does the DHL shipping cost account for taxes?

If anyone has bought from overseas pls

Umm that's probably just how tax works (you didn't mention value of what you are importing...), but GST and the broker's fee add up

I recently imported some expensive bits from US, value A$1,062.43 and paid import costs:

GST is 10% obviously, car parts from US were duty free (other than GST) and Other was the broker's %. Direct shipping cost was included in the cost base $1,062.43, not just the parts

Might be worth doing some more research on this. Looks to me like it might be worth splitting it if you can without getting shafted by shipping costs.

 

Quote

Importing goods internationally of a value less than $1000 AUD?

For goods with a value of AUD$1,000 or less that are imported, there is typically no requirement to pay import duties or taxes. However, this rule does not apply to alcohol or tobacco imports.

Importing goods internationally of a value over $1000 AUD?

For goods exceeding the value of AUD$1,000, it is necessary to submit an Import Declaration for your shipment. This process incurs a processing charge, and in addition, you will be obligated to pay duties and taxes.

From https://www.wwcf.com.au/customs-duty-import-goods-and-service-tax-calculator/.

 

FWIW, I ordered a clutch + slave cylinder from rhdjapan a while ago. Was AU$1,950.49 all up and I had to pay AU$404.36 on top of that in import duty. I'm not entirely sure how it arrived at that value because it was just a payment prompt from DHL. My guess in hindsight is that what DHL charged as import duty may have been 10% GST + import duty + import processing charges. It gets it somewhat close to this. Not sure ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Import processing charges are listed in the link below. It also mentions the $1,000 as the cut off value.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/importing/cost-of-importing-goods/charges/import-processing-charge

19 minutes ago, Duncan said:

Umm that's probably just how tax works (you didn't mention value of what you are importing...), but GST and the broker's fee add up

I recently imported some expensive bits from US, value A$1,062.43 and paid import costs:

GST is 10% obviously, car parts from US were duty free (other than GST) and Other was the broker's %. Direct shipping cost was included in the cost base $1,062.43, not just the parts

Looking at buying these dixcel rotors in which total value is about 1300

I can divide the purchase into sending both separately and it will be same price 

If I can avoid charged that way 

6 minutes ago, soviet_merlin said:

Might be worth doing some more research on this. Looks to me like it might be worth splitting it if you can without getting shafted by shipping costs.

 

From https://www.wwcf.com.au/customs-duty-import-goods-and-service-tax-calculator/.

 

FWIW, I ordered a clutch + slave cylinder from rhdjapan a while ago. Was AU$1,950.49 all up and I had to pay AU$404.36 on top of that in import duty. I'm not entirely sure how it arrived at that value because it was just a payment prompt from DHL. My guess in hindsight is that what DHL charged as import duty may have been 10% GST + import duty + import processing charges. It gets it somewhat close to this. Not sure ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Import processing charges are listed in the link below. It also mentions the $1,000 as the cut off value.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/importing/cost-of-importing-goods/charges/import-processing-charge

Thanks for the info did you get hit with 404 at time of order or once item arrived in AU? 

I'm buying dixcel rotors and the price of buying front and rear separate is the same cost as shipping gets doubled.

So might be worth buying separate as that'll be sub 1k and I can avoid costs (I hope)

It’s taxed on the total amount including postage 

6 minutes ago, YD34GTT said:

Thanks for the info did you get hit with 404 at time of order or once item arrived in AU? 

I'm buying dixcel rotors and the price of buying front and rear separate is the same cost as shipping gets doubled.

So might be worth buying separate as that'll be sub 1k and I can avoid costs (I hope)

From emails looks like it was next day after they shipped it in Japan. Prompted by DHL. As a counter point I also made a A$1,296.51 order from Nengun and I don't think I was charged anything extra.

So, really, I have no idea how the system works. Probably better to not go by my advice

I have gotten away with an amount that was just over a grand and they’ve let it through, other times they grab it. Just luck of the draw 

1 hour ago, YD34GTT said:

Buying some parts online from RHDJapan

The amounts total to over 1k

Would I be charged taxes when they come in? I can split my order into 2 sub 1k orders for same price if that avoids taxes 

Or does the DHL shipping cost account for taxes?

If anyone has bought from overseas pls

AFAIK this is how it works. Since the 2018 changes to GST on low value imports. Some companies will pre-emptively collect 10% GST from your order. if your package gets stopped at customs then they will pay for it. if it doesn't then your guess is good as mine.

 

If I buy something worth $800 but shipping is $250, does that put me over the 1k threshold?

Or is it based purely on value of goods only?

9 hours ago, dickens said:

If I buy something worth $800 but shipping is $250, does that put me over the 1k threshold?

Or is it based purely on value of goods only?

You should not get hit here as the goods are under $1000.

However, if they were above, you'd pay customs fee + GST on the goods, AND GST on the freight.

On 16/8/2026 at 12:04 AM, dickens said:

If I buy something worth $800 but shipping is $250, does that put me over the 1k threshold?

Or is it based purely on value of goods only?

Yes, the shipping is included in your total

Or don't use RHD Japan and contact Jesse Streeter, get better prices and don't pay import tax. I've probably spent $30k with him in the last couple of years and never paid a cent of import tax or GST with many purchases over the $1k threshold.

Shoot him an email, he's a legend but does get super busy when the Yen is on it's knees so can take a few days to get back to you.

On 2/9/2026 at 10:14 AM, Komdotkom said:

Or don't use RHD Japan and contact Jesse Streeter, get better prices and don't pay import tax. I've probably spent $30k with him in the last couple of years and never paid a cent of import tax or GST with many purchases over the $1k threshold.

Shoot him an email, he's a legend but does get super busy when the Yen is on it's knees so can take a few days to get back to you.

Thanks, might contact him for my next order.