For some time ASGA has been campaigning to have the Federal Government change the rules about the GST and online trading. Online trading allows a consumer, or in many cases an online trader, the opportunity to purchase overseas goods, most commonly via the internet, and not pay the GST, import duties or customs duties for goods up to the value of $999.
Australian online businesses must add the GST to their sales and overseas wholesale companies who regularly ship goods into Australia are required to add the GST to their invoices for all items over $1,000, however online overseas traders are not.
ASGA believes that this creates an anti-competitive market and is harming the sporting goods industry. It particularly hurts the viability of wholesalers and retailers.
The growth of the market has occurred faster than its regulation, or the willingness of governments to address the problem and its effect on Australian business and Australian jobs.
ASGA, along with other industry bodies, is campaigning for a reduction of the threshold amount from $1000 to $400, to be in line with other countries, such as New Zealand. ASGA also would like greater compliance and interaction between Australian Customs and Australia Post to better evaluate and police the potential for online traders avoiding payment of duties and taxation.
ASGA believes this issue is extremely important to the future of the sporting goods industry and to its employees and will continue its campaign to protect the industry.
