Author Topic: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt  (Read 5064 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« on: December 02, 2019, 09:33:18 pm »
Hi Australia,  NZ has a few days ago enacted similar under $1000 import GST rules as you have and now Aliexpress is required to collect GST at time of sale (and is doing so).  This is good, cuts work done by customs, makes many things even cheaper to import, blah blah.

As a GST registered entity when I make a business related purchase I want to claim that back, but I can not find any way on Aliexpress to generate the GST invoice/receipt that they are legally required (by NZ) to provide.

Australia, you've been under this new rules for about a year, and I'm assuming that you have something the same about the supplier (for GST purposes) being required to give a GST receipt on request which shows their GST number, items purchased, GST amount etc, so... are they, is this something that is available to Australia and maybe they haven't done if for NZ yet, is there some special non-obvious way of doing it, or should I kick this up the line to our IRD and see if they will give special guidance or lean on Ali for full compliance.

Of course I asked Aliexpress' (probably human) chat but got nowhere useful.
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 
The following users thanked this post: hendorog

Offline hendorog

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 1617
  • Country: nz
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2019, 10:10:26 pm »
Perhaps worth a chat with the IRD?

I assume they will have contacts in the right place in these companies and will push them in the right direction.
 

Online Mr.B

  • Supporter
  • ****
  • Posts: 1237
  • Country: nz
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2019, 10:23:20 pm »
Thank you for raising this question.
I am also interested in how I can obtain some sort of GST invoice.
I approach the thinking of all of my posts using AI in the first instance. (Awkward Irregularity)
 

Online Bud

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 6860
  • Country: ca
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2019, 10:26:15 pm »
No way on Ali to specify your GST number so they do not collect it?
Facebook-free life and Rigol-free shack.
 

Offline Someone

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 4493
  • Country: au
    • send complaints here
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2019, 10:37:31 pm »
The transactions I have seen under this new system have almost exclusively been DDP terms, if you're really game ask a tax accountant about how that is creditable (still no solid answer and these new laws are being tested in court).
 

Online Bud

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 6860
  • Country: ca
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2019, 10:45:49 pm »
Importation duties and GST are different things ...
Facebook-free life and Rigol-free shack.
 

Offline hendorog

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 1617
  • Country: nz
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #6 on: December 02, 2019, 11:19:01 pm »
No way on Ali to specify your GST number so they do not collect it?

In NZ there is no requirement for the supplier to know the customers GST number, even if the customer is a GST registered entity.
The supplier just needs to collect the tax and pay it to NZ IRD. They also do need to give the customer a Tax Invoice which shows the amount of GST they charged.

 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2019, 04:30:05 am »
No way on Ali to specify your GST number so they do not collect it?

No, not that I can find.
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 

Offline tautech

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 28058
  • Country: nz
  • Taupaki Technologies Ltd. Siglent Distributor NZ.
    • Taupaki Technologies Ltd.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2019, 04:45:05 am »
I'll have a chat to my livelong accountant buddy about this and report back.
Avid Rabid Hobbyist
Siglent Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiglentVideo/videos
 

Offline tautech

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 28058
  • Country: nz
  • Taupaki Technologies Ltd. Siglent Distributor NZ.
    • Taupaki Technologies Ltd.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2019, 05:03:15 am »
A quick bash around in the NZ IRD website finds this:
https://www.ird.govt.nz/gst/gst-for-overseas-businesses/gst-on-low-value-imported-goods/requirements-after-registration

(Sellers)Requirements for receipts
Suppliers will need to provide a receipt to consumers if they have charged the consumer GST on some or all of the goods in the transaction. This receipt can then be used as evidence to Customs that GST has already been charged on the goods.

For the receipt, you must include the:

name and GST number of the supplier
date of the supply
date of issue of the receipt (if different from the date of the supply)
description of the goods supplied
price paid for the goods and the amount of GST included, which may be expressed in a foreign currency
list of which goods have had GST charged.
Avid Rabid Hobbyist
Siglent Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiglentVideo/videos
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #10 on: December 03, 2019, 05:37:31 am »
A quick bash around in the NZ IRD website finds this:


Yes those are the requirements that Aliexpress is supposed to adhere to, I can't find anywhere on the site to get such a receipt though (and as stated, I asked and chat was not helpful).

The best they could offer was the order details, which do not state Aliexpress' GST number (otherwise it would pretty much suffice as the receipt even though you'd have to print the page or screenshot it, whatever).
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 

Offline tautech

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 28058
  • Country: nz
  • Taupaki Technologies Ltd. Siglent Distributor NZ.
    • Taupaki Technologies Ltd.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #11 on: December 03, 2019, 05:56:21 am »
Yeah well one of us just has to get some stuff and keep an eye out for the GST being added in the Aliexpress checkout and if there’s any new options there for printing, hopefully in which their GST# gets added.

Black Friday specials end soon ........
« Last Edit: December 03, 2019, 06:26:41 am by tautech »
Avid Rabid Hobbyist
Siglent Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiglentVideo/videos
 

Online Bud

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 6860
  • Country: ca
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2019, 06:50:24 am »
If i were you i would send a letter to the tax agency reporting the merchant nog adhering to the regulations and ask for an advice on the situation.
Facebook-free life and Rigol-free shack.
 

Offline blacksheeplogic

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 532
  • Country: nz
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #13 on: December 03, 2019, 07:04:38 am »
I'm waiting to see as I have a package already on the way. Personally I would prefer if it just got held up in customs for the paper work.
 

Offline tautech

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 28058
  • Country: nz
  • Taupaki Technologies Ltd. Siglent Distributor NZ.
    • Taupaki Technologies Ltd.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #14 on: December 03, 2019, 07:12:42 am »
I'm waiting to see as I have a package already on the way. Personally I would prefer if it just got held up in customs for the paper work.
Trouble with that is you have to engage a authorized customs agent to get clearance unless they're streamlining the process if you can show documentation.
Avid Rabid Hobbyist
Siglent Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiglentVideo/videos
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #15 on: December 03, 2019, 07:13:26 am »
Yeah well one of us just has to get some stuff and keep an eye out for the GST being added in the Aliexpress checkout and if there’s any new options there for printing, hopefully in which their GST# gets added.

Black Friday specials end soon ........

All you get is the GST amount on the order details page, there is no option for download/print/anything and no display of Aliexpress' GST number.








~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #16 on: December 03, 2019, 07:16:26 am »
Trouble with that is you have to engage a authorized customs agent to get clearance unless they're streamlining the process if you can show documentation.

You seem to be  a bit behind the times there I think Tautech :-)  Anything under $1000 will go straight through in theory now as customs should just assume that GST has been paid or was not required to be paid (there is no more duty or MPI etc for under $1000).

Anything over $1000 the usual protocols remain for clearance etc.

~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 
The following users thanked this post: tautech

Offline tautech

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 28058
  • Country: nz
  • Taupaki Technologies Ltd. Siglent Distributor NZ.
    • Taupaki Technologies Ltd.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #17 on: December 03, 2019, 07:23:46 am »
Trouble with that is you have to engage a authorized customs agent to get clearance unless they're streamlining the process if you can show documentation.

You seem to be  a bit behind the times there I think Tautech :-)  Anything under $1000 will go straight through in theory now as customs should just assume that GST has been paid or was not required to be paid (there is no more duty or MPI etc for under $1000).

Anything over $1000 the usual protocols remain for clearance etc.
:)
Generally my overseas orders are larger, much larger and I use a broker mate from High school to handle sea freight, GST liabilities and customs stuff.
Avid Rabid Hobbyist
Siglent Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiglentVideo/videos
 

Offline tautech

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 28058
  • Country: nz
  • Taupaki Technologies Ltd. Siglent Distributor NZ.
    • Taupaki Technologies Ltd.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #18 on: December 03, 2019, 07:25:29 am »
Yeah well one of us just has to get some stuff and keep an eye out for the GST being added in the Aliexpress checkout and if there’s any new options there for printing, hopefully in which their GST# gets added.

Black Friday specials end soon ........

All you get is the GST amount on the order details page, there is no option for download/print/anything and no display of Aliexpress' GST number.

Notice the: awaiting receipt ?
Or is that for funds receipt ?
Avid Rabid Hobbyist
Siglent Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiglentVideo/videos
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #19 on: December 03, 2019, 07:26:28 am »
That is awaiting receipt of the goods, as in, not yet delivered.
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 

Offline Someone

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 4493
  • Country: au
    • send complaints here
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #20 on: December 03, 2019, 07:32:42 am »
A quick bash around in the NZ IRD website finds this:


Yes those are the requirements that Aliexpress is supposed to adhere to, I can't find anywhere on the site to get such a receipt though (and as stated, I asked and chat was not helpful).

The best they could offer was the order details, which do not state Aliexpress' GST number (otherwise it would pretty much suffice as the receipt even though you'd have to print the page or screenshot it, whatever).
You're assuming they are a domestic supplier for GST purposes, they aren't. When you buy from overseas the importer is liable for the GST, again, its not you, and its almost certainly not Aliexpress, they have organised an intermediary to import the item for you on DDP terms. Thats how its been working with eBay etc in Australia.
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #21 on: December 03, 2019, 08:04:35 am »
You're assuming they are a domestic supplier for GST purposes, they aren't. When you buy from overseas the importer is liable for the GST, again, its not you, and its almost certainly not Aliexpress, they have organised an intermediary to import the item for you on DDP terms. Thats how its been working with eBay etc in Australia.

This is in relation to legislation enacted here in NZ on the 1st of December.  Aliexpress as the marketplace is classified as the supplier for GST purposes and is required to collect GST (at time of purchase) and remit (quarterly) to the IRD (NZ Inland Revenue Department), including the GST receipt requirements for overseas vendors as noted above.

This applies of course not just to Aliexpress, but all overseas vendors, or marketplaces, or reshippers who send more than 60k NZD pa to NZ.  And yes enforcing compliance to NZ law of overseas businesses is shakey, but the big names have complied so that is all that is required.

Perhaps it works differently in Australia.
« Last Edit: December 03, 2019, 08:08:20 am by sleemanj »
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 

Offline tycz

  • Regular Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 99
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #22 on: December 03, 2019, 08:43:40 am »
sleemanj,

In Australia, if you are buying from an overseas GST registered shop then you need to specify that you are a business and supply your ABN (Australian business number) before you buy. Then the shop will not charge you GST. Normally there's some question about this on the order form and a spot to put your ABN. As far as I know there's no particular paperwork requirements on behalf of the merchant to the customer. If you are expecting a tax invoice, you won't get one as only an Australian business (with an ABN/ACN) can issue one of those.

The whole system looks half baked to me. There's no way to check that an overseas business is truly registered for GST or just pretending. On the flip side, there doesn't appear to be anything stopping Joe Random from supplying some unrelated business's ABN and having the GST magically removed from the price.
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #23 on: December 03, 2019, 08:44:53 am »
I've thrown caution to the wind and sent a message to IRD to ask for their opinion.

~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #24 on: December 03, 2019, 08:51:46 am »
sleemanj,

Then the shop will not charge you GST. Normally there's some question about this on the order form and a spot to put your ABN. As far as I know there's no particular paperwork requirements on behalf of the merchant to the customer.


For NZ purposes, those overseas businesses/marketplaces who do 50% or more sold to consumers (certainly Ali falls in that category) can blanket charge GST to everybody and the GST reg buyers are supposed to be able to claim it back as normal.  Those overseas businesses get an NZ GST number (rough equiv of ABN) like domestic ones do so they can issue those receipts.

Sounds like AU isn't quite as similar to our legislation as I thought it was.  I shall report back when the IRD replies, eventually.
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 

Offline hendorog

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 1617
  • Country: nz
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #25 on: December 03, 2019, 06:59:23 pm »
I'm waiting to see as I have a package already on the way. Personally I would prefer if it just got held up in customs for the paper work.

They charge you $60 or $70 on top of the GST for the privilege of holding up your package for a week. Not seeing the upside myself :)

Much better to pay tax at purchase, and then there is no delay and no extra fees.

Also the new, higher limit of $1000 compared to the old $400 limit means that if you are just over the limit the fees are a smaller percentage of the total.
A $405 package attracted about 30% 'tax and fees' under the old regime.  :rant:

 

Offline blacksheeplogic

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 532
  • Country: nz
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #26 on: December 03, 2019, 08:37:47 pm »
I'm waiting to see as I have a package already on the way. Personally I would prefer if it just got held up in customs for the paper work.
They charge you $60 or $70 on top of the GST for the privilege of holding up your package for a week. Not seeing the upside myself :)
Much better to pay tax at purchase, and then there is no delay and no extra fees.
Also the new, higher limit of $1000 compared to the old $400 limit means that if you are just over the limit the fees are a smaller percentage of the total.
A $405 package attracted about 30% 'tax and fees' under the old regime.  :rant:

It takes a couple of days normally.
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #27 on: December 15, 2019, 08:55:19 pm »
You can now get a GST receipt from Aliexpress.

On the order details page next to the "Confirm Goods Received" button you'll find a "Download Invoice" button, click it, then in the dialog that opens click the "Receipt" link, no need to fill out the form or submit I don't know what that's about, just click the link and you'll get a suitable PDF GST Receipt (well, looks good enough, has a GST number on it).
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 
The following users thanked this post: Mr.B

Online wraper

  • Supporter
  • ****
  • Posts: 16763
  • Country: lv
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #28 on: December 15, 2019, 09:00:37 pm »
You can now get a GST receipt from Aliexpress.

On the order details page next to the "Confirm Goods Received" button you'll find a "Download Invoice" button, click it, then in the dialog that opens click the "Receipt" link, no need to fill out the form or submit I don't know what that's about, just click the link and you'll get a suitable PDF GST Receipt (well, looks good enough, has a GST number on it).
Don't see any invoice buttons. Aren't you talking about some browser extension? Like this https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ali-invoice/iddjifkhlboklmognibdadieodidkhcm?hl=en
 

Online Mr.B

  • Supporter
  • ****
  • Posts: 1237
  • Country: nz
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #29 on: December 15, 2019, 09:05:54 pm »
The button has appeared on one of the items I am waiting for...
I approach the thinking of all of my posts using AI in the first instance. (Awkward Irregularity)
 

Offline sleemanjTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3020
  • Country: nz
  • Professional tightwad.
    • The electronics hobby components I sell.
Re: Question to Australians - Aliexpress GST Invoice/Receipt
« Reply #30 on: December 15, 2019, 09:12:48 pm »
Don't see any invoice buttons. Aren't you talking about some browser extension? Like this https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ali-invoice/iddjifkhlboklmognibdadieodidkhcm?hl=en

No. But you are not in New Zealand so I doubt you're going to be offered to download a New Zealand GST Receipt :-)
~~~
EEVBlog Members - get yourself 10% discount off all my electronic components for sale just use the Buy Direct links and use Coupon Code "eevblog" during checkout.  Shipping from New Zealand, international orders welcome :-)
 


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo
Smf