Turtlerock Forum

Hey there people!

I have a question for all of you experienced in buying audio gear from overseas (most probably the states).

The question is this.

When you buy stuff from good 'ol' US of A which runs off 110 volts what happens then?

do you have to have it converted here or do you just have to use a step transformer to run your gear off?

Also, what about stuff like taxes and duties and the like, exacty what sorts of expenses are we looking at here?


any help would be greatly appreciated.



Son of Sam.

Gentlemen....

From this thread.... http://www.turtlerockmastering.com/foru ... ght=import ..........."I've imported a number of rack units and mics (and even more guitars, but they're another story), shipping has nearly always been through the USPS Global Express Mail service and charges rarely exceeded $65.00AU with a 6 - 10 day delivery, sometime faster. Duty, etc., is usually only charged if an item has a declared value of approx., $400AU and over.

A 240<->110V trannie is only a problem if you let it be, mine is set into a 3U rack case with suitable o/seas type outlets on the back to avoid confusion with my 240V rack board."

I tracked that down by using the search function..............hint.

Anything under $1000 is gst exempt, anything made in the USA with 50% or more USA parts falls under the free trade agreement. This is my understanding of it.

A lot of gear these days has a 110/240v switch or is compliant for both, ya just gotta find out which ones.

heathen wrote:
A lot of gear these days has a 110/240v switch or is compliant for both, ya just gotta find out which ones.

Some gear they make sure only runs for certain countries to try to make it harder for grey market. So just double check, some are just a open up and change a switch or something simple. Some are just wired so work 110v only and need a transformer etc.

[quote="heathen"]Anything under $1000 is gst exempt, anything made in the USA with 50% or more USA parts falls under the free trade agreement. This is my understanding of it.
[/quote]

Not so sure about that. Anything over $1000 needs a formal customs clearance form done, which I always have a broker do, but under $1000 means you can just pay the amount due without having to go through a broker. AFAIK the US is the only place subject to a free trade agreement which just means you only pay the gst, no duties. If the duties and gst due amount to $40 or under they will usually let it slide, but anything over that expect a bill. Even from the US a puchase of 900 bucks would have a GST of $90 due so they will bill you for it.