Question for other Aussies re imports

Has anyone bought an SpO2 device from overseas & dealt with customs re GST etc:

Reason I ask is I have never had to pay GST on cpaps or Spo2 units - I just bought one from what I understood was an Australian company & they charged me GST but the item is being sent directly to me from China.

I asked the company if GST was chargeable on SpO2 units & they claimed yes but I don't believe them.

So if anyone else in Aust has any info re GST on Spo2 pls let me know (vs that we know there is no GST on cpaps).

Thanks

DSM

Just did some ATO research & found this ATO document ...

http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads ... 112005.pdf

In section 3 to the GST act there is a table of exempt medical devices - Cpaps start at item 123
I believe an SpO2 device is covered by item 137 - Breathing Monitors.

Anyone have any thoughts re this ?

DSM

dsm wrote:I believe an SpO2 device is covered by item 137 - Breathing Monitors.

Well you can give it a try on with the ATO, but I think they mean something rather different by "breathing monitors".

Cheers,

Bill

billbolton wrote:

dsm wrote:I believe an SpO2 device is covered by item 137 - Breathing Monitors.

Well you can give it a try on with the ATO, but I think they mean something rather different by "breathing monitors".

Cheers,

Bill

Bill,

That is what is so nice about the ATO - they didn't name brands & models.

But, if an SpO2 isn't a 'breathing monitor' within their document what is it (I know it is a 'blood oxygen saturation measuring device') but AFAICT ATO provided a generic catchall because there are so many different types of breathing monitors. A bit like heart monitors - lots of different types.

DSM

Could you try it under 127-respiratory appliance accessory?

Brenda

bdp522 wrote:Could you try it under 127-respiratory appliance accessory?

Brenda

I think that is another option. I may just ring the Customs help desk - they are remarkably helpful on these matters (as amazing as that may seem )

It certainly aids in determining the effectiveness of the xPAP therapy. Reslinks with integrated SpO2 fit this description easily.

DSM

As has been the case before Customs hotline answered very quickly & the guy agreed with my thinking & said call the ATO (Aust Tax Office) as they produced the document listing medical equip.

He thinks they will agree with my position re the GST.

DSM

Which item are they using,

I believe an SpO2 device is covered by item 137 - Breathing Monitors.
OR
Could you try it under 127-respiratory appliance accessory



Brenda

I have eamiled the selling company yesterday with all the relevant info & if they agree to refund the GST I will post a link to their site so any other Aussies can buy through them & get the GST sorted out. If they won't agree I'll seek a refund via ATO.

For $32 it is worth the effort & also will establish the validity of claiming GST off oximeters for us Aussie CPAPers. Both are good reasons to follow through

DSM

It seems the ATO has ruled out oximeters as being tax exempt - the supplier sent me a link to this ATO ruling ...

http://law.ato.gov.au/atolaw/view.htm?l ... 1231235958

I guess the trick is to order an oximeter with the CPAP machine if anyone wants one. This is what I had done in the past &
assumed the two were both GST free. Seems I was lucky.

DSM