Alien bees comes to Aussie

[Redal]

P.C.Buff has now got a Aussie distributor .

http://www.paulcbuff.com.au/


The pricing looks quite good, and the best part is the shipping will be a lot cheaper then coming from the state :)

[Kelsonmassif]

Has anyone purchased anything from there yet? (Aus site)

I have purchased from PCB from the states in the past

[Redal]

Has anyone purchased anything from there yet? (Aus site)

I have purchased from PCB from the states in the past


I have looked into it, and if you have purchased from the factory in the states, you can still order from there, with the exchange rate at the moment that would be the better option. All new non USA customers are being directed to the Aussie and European stores now.

In the aussie store , they have limited things at any one time, there costs are quite high due to air freight from USA to Aussie, although they were giving a 10-15% discount if you ordered by a certain date, then allowed 4-6weeks for shipping by boat.

[ROSCOE]

Shipping is still expensive and if it's over $1000 customs wants a cut too. :S

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Do customs not charge for goods from Australia if they're less than $1000 then? Am vaguely considering getting some Alienbees.

[Redal]

Do customs not charge for goods from Australia if they're less than $1000 then? Am vaguely considering getting some Alienbees.

I didnt know customs charged for over $1k , i have imported a few things worth over $1k.
But you do get charged GST on all goods and shipping over $400, which would now be a minimum of $60

[Lazlo Woodbine]

According to this (http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+importers/Customs+charges.htm), the customs charge is $25.30, so not the end of the world.

[Frostiboy]

so that is saying any camera gear imported will NOT have a charge to it? is that right?

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Camera gear is the standard 15% GST. The 'Duty Rate' is on top of that but cameras don't incur any extra charge. I'm hoping lighting gear dosn't come under 'lamps' though because that would mean another 5%.

[Redal]

Camera gear is the standard 15% GST. The 'Duty Rate' is on top of that but cameras don't incur any extra charge. I'm hoping lighting gear dosn't come under 'lamps' though because that would mean another 5%.


I have imported lights from the states, and was only charged GST when it was over $400 , i have imported gear from the same company and not charged GST because it was under $400 . I have import things on about 10 occasions and never been charged customs fees.

A tip for those importing stuff over $400, find out who your courier is, usually you get sent the tracking number with all info on it.
When you get this contact the local agent and arrange payment before it arrives, this will so a ton of time.
one of my first purchases was from Russia, it arrived in NZ with in 3 days but took a week for them to mail out the GST invoice and then send out lens once i had paid for it. my last purchase took 4 days to get to my door from the states :)

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Cheers for the useful info Redal. Four days from the States is damned quick! It'll definitely be more than $400 if I order some studio lights so will make sure to take your advice!

[Redal]

Cheers for the useful info Redal. Four days from the States is damned quick! It'll definitely be more than $400 if I order some studio lights so will make sure to take your advice!

If you are looking at Alien bees , you will have to order them for the aussie store, the US store only deal with existing customers from outside the states.

[Lazlo Woodbine]

If you are looking at Alien bees , you will have to order them for the aussie store, the US store only deal with existing customers from outside the states.
Yeah, but still subject to GST from there right? I might have a look at buying them in the UK too if that works out cheaper.

[Redal]

Yeah, but still subject to GST from there right? I might have a look at buying them in the UK too if that works out cheaper.

The prices are controlled buy PCB ( alien bees) so the lights will be the same price but shipping cost from aussie would be chaeper than the UK. NZ GST is still applicable , but they should be able to take the Aussie GST off before sending.

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Oh I didn't know they could take the Aussie tax off. In that case I'll definitely get them from there. Cheers!

[ROSCOE]

I imported some alien bees and somehow customs wanted over $200 on it. I even had it sent through my sisters business so luckily they handled the costs but it still was ridiculous. Every time some form had to be filled out it took 24hrs for it to clear. They were there for a week before I finally got them.......so you might want to check before you import some.

[smurff]

Roscoe, from another thread

Luiz:

Photographic equipment is not subject to any import tax EXCEPT GST. However the IRD waives GST where the GST amount would be less than $50 NZD ( $400 NZD excluding GST is $450 including GST). The trick here is that also includes the cost of the shipping. EG: Cost to buy something is $390 NZD, but shipping is $20 NZD, then that totals $410 NZD so GST will be charged for a total of $461.25.
Relevant NZ Customs Page (http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+importers/Customs+Charges.htm)

Stronger dollar only has immediate impact (cheaper products) when you are importing it yourself. If you are buying product someone else imported, they may have imported it when the dollar was weaker and would lose money if they sold it to you cheaper than they got it for.

Does that help?

looks like you hd to pay for the GST i guess

-smurff