Hey has anyone here made an order from APMEX in America? I'm interested in whether you had any issues with Australian customs when the package arrived. I'm tempted to make a purchase from them but I'm concerned about the loss in the transfer (probably about 3%) and am trying to get a picture of whether its worth buying from them now. I used to buy from them when I lived in America and am happy that they have good shipping rates, but I need to know if Customs gives any trouble. thanks
No loss in transfer, but the following is a problem: Minimum order of 2500, which leads to the next issue with fedex and customs They use fedex, fedex forces gst on bullions even though they are gst exempt. Took 3+ months for my refund of gst. Their packaging sucks, I had damaged coins but they did the exchange painlessly.
Better off having someone in US receive your parcel and forward on. Shipping will be more reasonable and items can be separated into packages under $1000 each to avoid import duty.
If I bought 120 5oz silver bars from APMEX, shipping would be $200 for 41 pounds of silver insured for $20,000. Can a private individual ship a package that way with a different courier than FedEx? Last time I checked, it cost a fortune to ship even small relatively lightweight packages from the US to Australia. Also what's this import duty business? pure silver isn't supposed to have any duty or gst.
You have to pick your poison. I received damaged gold coins from Gainesville last year. The damage was solely due to the bad packaging. Gainesville would only exchange them, but they haven't had those coins in stock since my order. So their guarantee is worthless. Another time, I didn't receive a mint box of ASEs from Tulving and Hans told me to file a police report. Turned out they hadn't even shipped the coins.
Not sure, I haven't managed shipments of that size/ I've also heard conflicting reports of having to pay GST. Also, FedEx is notorious for charging handling/import fees. On a $2500 order from Royal Silver, FedEx charged me $75 in import/handling fees to process the shipment and their paperwork even though there is no import duty on metals here in the US.
Your taxes are CRAZY! They never end- do they? Is there ANYTHING in OZ that is more of a bargain then in the USA?
I've done it for fellow SSers I've established relationships with. I'll be honest though, depending on the volume, the responsibility of receiving, checking, repacking, shipping and being reimbursed does take quite a bit of effort and planning.
last time I used apmex, they sent me my stuff via usps flat rate shipping. I'm guessing they'd also send usps flate rate international.
If you decide to use apmex, under special instructions, I believe there is a letter you can ask for that is directed to customs agents that the following package is taxfree. i know what the canadian code number is but pretty sure it'll be different in Oz. That might be something you can enquire about with apmex.
actually awaiting a delivery from ampex any day now through Fedex...if you know the fine print it shouldN't be an issue getting precious metals through Customs...tax free...remember precious metals are input taxed at 0%....goods that are imported and would have been treated as Input taxed if they had been a supply, are also not subject to GST.. Examples include Precious Metals..GST exemption code for precious metals is LPM...Customs site explains everything..Indirect tax importers I,ll let you know how I go
They can walk into the Perth Mint and purchase from the counter, maybe even the glorious RAM too, though I never heard anyone do that on here.
I'm trying to get a tax refund from FedEx for a couple of shipments from Apmex at the moment. I call them everyday of the week, they try dodging me, passing me on to different departments, Iv sent the Apmex invoices to them 3 times. Its a joke. I will get a refund. Iv had few orders from Apmex and never had an issue..
Well fedex rang up today and said custom fees due..I asked how much they said $55...there was no g.s.t added..service was fast and efficient...highly recommend Ampex ..I think g,s.t problem may have been ironed out..
