IMO, its fair to levy GST on online purchases from overseas regardless of value.
Those ordering from overseas online are simply trying to buy cheaper than
shopping locally. The previous $1000 GST free limit was been rorted by
some as a means of avoiding paying GST and normal company tax on
profit in Australia. So we have to be fair in levying GST on everyone.
On another note, companies such as Apple for example could exploit
the online $1000 GST mailorder limit. Iphones, Ipods & Ipads are
made in China, invoiced from the Republic of Ireland (Apple Ireland
owns Apple Australia & NZ). By ordering your sub $1000 Apple
product online Apple could supply cheaper than ex store Aus,
no GST and no Australian profit margin subject to Aussie tax.
No wonder Japan Post has just bought Toll Transport, Australia's
biggest transport company, to cash-in on parcel delivery and I recon that
its only a matter of time until Australia Post Parcel Delicery goes the same way.
Working class Aussies are unwittingly doing themselves out of a job by cheapskating
(buying online from overseas) not to mention going through the auto tellers
at the Supermarket.
