General > General Technical Chat
Aliexpress dodgy GST tax
c64:
For shipping to Australia, Aliexpress must charge 10% GST. However, for most cheap items, it's usually more than 10%.
For example, I've seen something on special for less than $1 delivered, and they want to charge more than $1 just for GST.
Is it even legal?
Kim Christensen:
Probably because the concept of "free" or "cheap" shipping is BS.
In other words, the full/partial cost of shipping is built into the price and Aliexpress takes your country's tax rules into account.
brucehoult:
--- Quote from: Kim Christensen on March 29, 2024, 12:41:56 am ---Probably because the concept of "free" or "cheap" shipping is BS.
In other words, the full/partial cost of shipping is built into the price and Aliexpress takes your country's tax rules into account.
--- End quote ---
A few months ago I bought a car media player / AirPlay / Android Auto device from Ali. Some stores had it for $30 plus $20 shipping to NZ. Some had it for $50 with free shipping.
Makes no difference, and GST is charged on the shipping-inclusive cost anyway.
wilfred:
It is all to do with the psychology of buyers and having your item seen. If people sort on cheapest first it is better to lower the price and add shipping. I haven't had to test it but I imagine shipping is not refunded otherwise I can't fully understand unreasonably high shipping costs. I dislike paying shipping and will try to find a way to get to the $15 free shipping point which seems common. I won't buy something just to avoid shipping which I know is built in to prices anyway.
It takes more time analysing it even for pretty cheap stuff I typically buy than I like spending. I end up with a vacuous sort of vibe built from various factors including feedback and quantity sold to help me just stop and commit.
At least shipping is faster than it was 4 years ago when I had a spurt of buying on Aliexpress. Some things arrive in a week here in Australia.
brucehoult:
--- Quote from: wilfred on March 29, 2024, 03:16:38 am ---At least shipping is faster than it was 4 years ago when I had a spurt of buying on Aliexpress. Some things arrive in a week here in Australia.
--- End quote ---
I believe Aliexpress has a warehouse in Australia with, presumably, some of the more popular stuff, as they do also in the USA and EU.
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