I am wondering the legal situation of importing coins/bars of metals like palladium and rhodium. We're taxed 10% on these products here although if I imported them in the situation of a possible investment is this legal to bypass the GST? As far as I know when I import goods I don't get charged a GST. I missed out on the last opportunity to buy palladium because of not knowing what to do or what trouble I could get myself into.
You don't get charged GST when you import goods providing that it's either part of your "duty free allowance" when you arrive by plane or boat (goods valued at less than $900), or it's a mail order import valued at less than $1000. Otherwise you're liable to pay GST on the full value. Also see http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ImportingPreciousMetalCoinsandBullions.pdf
