Buy local vs import · Australia

Importing to the Australia: is it actually cheaper?

1 product run through the real landed cost — US price + forwarding + 10% import VAT above the $1,000 de-minimis + card FX — versus local retail, factoring whether the warranty survives. Right now buying local wins on all of them — that flips as prices move.

Sony Alpha A7 IV Buy it locally local $3,299 · imported $4,144

How importing to the Australia works

Import VAT: 10% on the US price + shipping (CIF), above a $1,000 de-minimis threshold.
Duty: 0% — Phones, laptops and cameras enter at 0% duty under the Australia–US FTA and WTO ITA; 10% GST applies to the full CIF value on consignments over the A$1,000 low-value threshold, plus a small customs processing charge.
Forwarding: Shipito, from the US — about 6–10 days.
FX: A$1.423/USD mid-market + 3% card spread, as of 2026-10-24. Rates By Exchange Rate API

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