Bloody Aussie wharfies!!
As some of you might be aware, I run a finance brokerage over here in OZ, and
one company I'm involved with imports used vehicles from Japan. Sometimes the containers aren't full, so I suggested that they fill the containers with used bikes, which are classified as "Grey Imports". Anything older than 15 years, ie 1991 doesn't need a compliance plate (ie VIN), but newer bikes/cars need to meet compliance standards.
However, if a certain model is imported by the manufaturer and sold on the domestic market, you cannot import that bike or car as you don't have the import licence to do so. If you do, by mistake, then the importer must pay full Australian market price including GST and import duties.
There is a shipment of eight 250cc bikes in a container along with some cars at Newcastle Wharf. This is the first "test" shipment. Now the bloddy wharfies have sealed the container and are claiming that the car can't be unloaded due to some bullshit about it's orogins and model etc. Can't get the bikes out, and we're not allowed an inventory list either.
But wait - it gets better. The wharfies are charging the importer $600 AUD
a day for "handling fees". It's like dealing with the mafia. They *know* the importer is extrememly rich, and so they're just making easy money, and won't unload the container.
Fancy not even allowing the bikes to be unloaded when it's the car that's causing all the (non-existant) problems. It's apparently a Jap domestic model of a Lexus, identical except badged Toyota.
Never Take Life Seriously - Nobody Gets Out Alive Anyway!
Bookmarks