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6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

Ok, so I have the reverse situation to most people posting here.

I have a Japanese laptop (a vaio I bought a couple of years ago). In August I have to go back to Oz for about three weeks to do some field work, visit a few libraries etc in order to finish my long suffering PhD by December.

Here's the question...

What do I need to use my Laptop in Australia? Do I just stick another cord into my existing transformer since it says it can handle input of up to 240V and 50-60hz? Australia as far as I know uses 230V 50hz.

This should be ok, right? Any thoughts? Anyone out there done this or know about it?

R

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

It'll be just fine. Just make sure the power transformer doesn't have an actual, physical switch you have to flip for conversion to 240V. Most don't but I have seen some that do on rare occasion.

Otherwise, go down to an electronics shop (like Yamada Denki) and tell them you are travelling overseas and you need a plug adaptor for Australia. Buy that, use it. No problems. I took most of my portable electronics to Europe with me last year, carrying just the adaptor for the plugs in the various countries. I was good for the whole trip...

The alternative is to buy a cord when you get to Oz. Personally, I think that getting the adaptor here is simpler.

Hope that helps.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

I've read somewhere, can't remember the link, that Australian customs can be tough on folks bringing in computers. Perhaps they've had problems in the past of visitors bringing in computers for re-sale. The advice given was to bring your receipt of purchase of your PC.

shadowsinner · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

something like that. if u wanna bring back a laptop from overseas, you've got to be able to prove that you've had that laptop for more than a year or else you'll end up paying gst for the laptop.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Yeh, since I'm not Australian, I guess that's an angle that I never considered -- although Canada is very similar... Except I can't speak for the strictness of Ozzie customs officials... In Canada you MAY end up paying GST and duty on your electronics, but the chances are fairly slim and remote -- and I've never been in that situation.

I wonder if there is any way to fill out some kind of form or paperwork guaranteeing that you will take the item with you when you leave the country... That would be worth finding out for both Australia AND Canada...

I remember when I used to travel a lot to the U.S., filling out forms for my Canadian-bought camera equipment before I left Canada so that whenever I came back home they wouldn't charge me for those items... But this is sorta the inverse situation... It's a foreign-purchased item that's going back abroad again. Smile

shadowsinner · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

in australia, the situation is fairly similar. the only thing is, if they pick on you and you don't have the receipt of the laptop on you to prove that you've had it for more than a year, then you'll have to pay gst. something like that, anyway - best to call customs and check. best to have the receipt on you too.

there is a form you can fill out before leaving australia if you're taking laptops & camera equipment with you overseas to prove you bought it in australia. otherwise when you come back to the country they might get you to cough up gst for them if you can't prove you bought it in oz.

basically, travelling involves a sh**load of paperwork. fun fun fun. =D

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

thanks for the customs (and electricity info). I had no knowledge of the customs stuff.

A curly question for now (since I guess I'll follow it up later on myself) is that since I have a return ticket back to Japan and the computer was bought in my wife's name (who is Japanese) am I still going to have to pay GST? It doesn't make sense...