I decided about 10 days ago, due to the weather currently beating down on us, to buy an Aussie bush hat. Never considered having one before. I must admit that I was impressed with the hats made by 'Stetson USA'. And may look (H)at, excuse the pun, getting one in the near future. But for now I decided on buying an 'Akubra Cattleman'. US postal charges are stupid. Did my research etc into a supplier and the best price search came up with https://everythingaustralian.com.au/headwear/country.html Another reason why I picked them was because on buying they were the only supplier that deducted GST being as the hat was for export. The rest didn't, as far as I could make out.
So on ordering my hat everything was so straight forward and all questions answered as to warranty, insurance, delivery, returns etc. Only one cock up though. They claimed next business day dispatch. I received an email saying that due to fraud they now give a refund of a small amount. I have to wait a day plus to confirm that I received that sum and email them the amount I'd received. All straight forward but you can lose up to 1-4 days due to this security check. I queried it but they say they have no choice but to do it this way. Too much fraud. The hat price was AUS $146. No GST paid. Plus express courier delivery of about Aus $24. Item was/is subject to import duty into Ting tong land.
Item was shipped Tuesday and arrived at my main PO for delivery on Saturday. Did my hat turn up at my house? No, just the postman with an import duty bill for 511 Baht to be paid at the main PO on collection of my hat on Tuesday. Monday bank holiday. The main PO is a 56 km round trip away. I'm a little bit peeved in having to make an unnecessary journey.
Breakdown of the import duty is/was 'Assessed Value' of item 1,800 Baht. 'Import Duty' 360 Baht. VAT 151 Baht. Total to pay 511 Baht. Not bad I suppose. It could have been worse. Well it was the Thai PO charged 20 Baht, for whatever ,on top.
So now to the pictures. Send in a photo of you wearing the hat to the seller and you get entered in a monthly competition. Prize $100
Got me on me bad side.