Ordering Australian coins? eBay powercoin_it (Italy), Downies US div., direct from RAM? Customs $ ?

jp297 · September 10, 2011 7:08PM

Hi,

I was asked if I could check into cost/availability of Australian "Kangaroo at Sunset" silver proof coins. (They do have an interesting look but are too far above spot for me personally right now.)

In the past I've seen Aussie coins at places like APMEX and Gainesville, but as far as currently in stock and selling sources, poking around online all I see are an eBay seller in Italy (id powercoin_it 100%/8550 feedback) with completed auctions with shipping running about 30% cheaper than the two retail I found (direct from the Royal Australian Mint or from Downies.com, which appears to be a big Australian dealer with a US outlet.)

Anyone familiar with that eBay seller? Also curious if there is anything to that ubiquitous international eBay shipping warning that orders may be held up in customs and that the buyer is responsible for any customs charges that may arise. A quick look at the US customs website sounds like: you will know what any duty is only after we assess it. (Thinking that might make a difference in total pricing.)

I'm no world coin collector. Heck, I'm a coin/PM newbie. Any comments would be appreciated.

theboz11 · September 10, 2011 9:22PM

There are no custom fees on coins coming into the U.S. , I don't believe, I've never paid any. With the rapidly changing silver prices, you are going to get what you are going to get, as far as prices go. Premiums will probably shrink as the price of silver goes higher. I am unfamiliar with those two dealer. If they are on ebay and have 100% below their Sales total, I see no problem buying from any of them. , I only have Lunar sets , No Kangaroos sorry.

Welcome to the Darkside Forum

OzzyAndy · September 10, 2011 10:28PM

Not sure what the situation in US is but in Australia there is no holdup/fees in customs unless the value is over $1000, imagine it would be similar in US.

Nunfa0 · September 10, 2011 10:56PM

I checked the tariff entry for coins, and there is no duty to be paid on coins or bullion. However when you import collectable coins into New Zealand there can be some GST (goods and services tax of 15%) to be paid so depending on your State there may be sales tax to pay.

jp297 · September 11, 2011 7:56AM

Thanks so much for all the comments. I didn't imagine a non-commercial international order that would be around $100 US could be a bother with duties etc, but coins seem to be a bit weird as far as taxes and fees. For example in the US state where I reside, a bullion coin transaction under $1000 is sales-taxable, but not over $1000.

Wonder if the plastic capsules holding Royal Australian Mint silver proofs are physically sealed, or just a tight compression fit that can be worked open and closed again like many US Mint proofs.

And thanks for the welcome. Hmmm, the Darkside Forum. As a mostly lurking newbie here, I'm still picking up on collectors jargon. In the past from context of posts I got "Darkside" to mean foreign coins, but I'm still a bit afraid to ask about its origin...

IloiloKano · September 11, 2011 10:23AM

<< <i>I'm still a bit afraid to ask about its origin... >>

I'm not certain of the origin of "darkside", (Star Wars or Outer Limits/Twilight Zone reference?), but there is also the "grayside", which most often refers to Canadian, but which I also apply to Philippines coinage under U.S. Administration. In any case, Graysiders prefer to hang out here, as Darksiders are the friendlier lot.

theboz11 · September 11, 2011 2:45PM

jp, the taxes you are referring to are State taxes, Not federal or anything to do with Customs. Every state has their own laws that you must adhere too, If you sell a coin and collect tax on it, you better have a state license to collect that tax.

The Darkside comes from one of our Older forum members, Aethelred. It is meant to differ us from the Light side which is US coins. There is also the Farside which collects medals but we do not have our own forum and post here, and as mentioned the Grey side which is Canadian.

IloiloKano · September 11, 2011 3:20PM

Huh. I did not know about Farsiders. Quite fitting though.

jp297 · September 11, 2011 4:36PM

Very interesting. Thanks for the skinny on the outsider sub-forums.

PS For any others interested in the Kangaroo at Sunset coins I was looking into, be careful. There seem to be both 1 oz and ~1/5th oz versions, both $1 (AUS) denominated, and often either carelessly (or purposefully) vaguely identified by sellers. I'd guess many buy for the design alone, but the two types can be selling uncomfortably close in price - and from some sources (with shipping) $500+/oz Ag for a single (6 gram) coin may not sit well with some collectors.

OzzyAndy · September 11, 2011 8:42PM

I've just discovered the Perth Mint, they have a range of bullion and bullion coins for sale, quite funnily my ebay auctions for gold Australian coins and a 1kg silver bar tonight sold for slightly more than the Perth Mint sale price! May be worth looking at as it would be very reputable if the prices are right for you.

Ordering Australian coins? eBay powercoin_it (Italy), Downies US div., direct from RAM? Customs $ ?

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