1. Why do I need a ShopUSA address?
2. Can I buy products from any seller?
3. How do I get started?
4. To where should the seller ship my product?
5. Which category should I select?
6. How much does it cost?
7. What is a standard package?
8. How does the weight and volume affect the forwarding cost? 
9. Will my product be shipped via air or ocean? 
10 Can I have larger shipments sent via air instead of ocean? 
11. What is the extra cost for very large shipments sent via ocean? 
12. Are all other cost included?
13. Is GST included and what is the AUD $1,000.00 Low Value Threshold? 
14. When do I pay?
15. Can I track my shipment?
16. How long will it take to get my shipment?
17. Can I return my product back to the seller?
18. What happens if I forget to register my shipment at ShopUSA?
19. How can I be sure that I have successfully completed a purchase from a seller in the USA? 
20. What do I need to be able to shop in the USA using ShopUSA? 
21. Will my shipment be delivered to my home or office? 
22. What if my credit card is denied by the US seller? 
23. What is Pay Pal?
24. Can I have all my products shipped via air?
25. Are all American products allowed in my home country??
26. What about electric equipment designed for 110 voltage? 
27. What about American televisions (NTSC)? 
28. What about DVDs? 
29. What is FOB price? 
30. Directions to the ShopUSA warehouse 
31. Prohibited and Restricted Goods / Imports to Australia 
32. Buying over the Internet / Low Value Import Threshold 
33. What if the value of my shipment is above the AUD $1000 low value import threshold? 
34. Can I ship a vehicle or boat? 

1. Why do I need a ShopUSA address?
a) Many sellers in the USA do not ship to other countries. This is true for most sellers on eBay. By using your ShopUSA address, you are just like any other American customer in the eyes of the US seller.

b) ShopUSA can save you money on shipping, compared to other services. c) For most standard packages at ShopUSA will you see your total cost? The ShopUSA calculator includes any applicable GST, customs duty and delivery in your local country.

2. Can I buy products from any seller?
Yes, you can use your ShopUSA address to receive products from any seller in the USA, both companies and individuals. You will find a list of the most popular sellers in the left column. Please make sure that it is legal to import the product to your local country.

3. How do I get started?
a) Click on”New user” and get your unique free suite number. You only have to do this once, and it is FREE. We will not share your user information with any third party.
b) Every time you buy a product in the USA, ask the seller to ship your product to your unique ShopUSA address which is:

Your name (e.g. John Smith)
ShopUSA
Address1 1424 Baker Road
Address2: Suite xxxx (your unique suite number)
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Tel 757 641 3696

c) Every time you have a product sent to ShopUSA, you must remember to register your product at shopusa.com. Click on the “Register” button on top of the page to register a shipment

4. To where should the seller ship my product? Use your unique ShopUSA address every time you buy a product in the USA. Your address is: Your name (e.g. John Smith)

ShopUSA
Suite xxxx (your unique suite number)
1424 Baker Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Tel 757 641 3696
VA stands for Virginia, which is the state. 23455 is the zip-code (postal code). You will get your unique suite number when you register as a new user.
Please make sure to always include your "Suite number". This way you can speed up your delivery

5. Which category should I select? Select the category that best reflects your product. ShopUSA may later correct your category if your selection was incorrect. The category is the base for calculating shipping cost, GST and/or sales tax which is paid in your local country. If you are in doubt, you can send email to au@shopusa.com and we will tell you which category to select.

6. How much does it cost?
a) For most standard packages and parcels being less than 20Kgs, no single side more than 50cm and a shipment value less than AUD $1000 low value import threshold, you get instant pricing at ShopUSA. Use the ShopUSA calculator to get pricing before you buy a product. Also read Question 7 below.
b) For non standard packages and parcels, cars, boats, trailers, campers, furniture etc rates are also available.

7. What is a standard package?
A standard package is no heavier than 20Kgs, no SINGLE side longer than 50cm (20 inches) which equates to 0.125 cbm and a shipment value less than the AUD $1000 low value import threshold. However some packages may not qualify as a standard package because of their large volumetric or dimensional weight. For detailed explanation see Question 8 & 9 below. If in doubt contact us at au@shopusa.com  For non standard packages, Larger items, vehicles, etc, see Question 8,9,10, 11 and 32 below. 

8. How does the weight and volume affect the forwarding cost? 
ShopUSA simplifies your shopping. You usually don’t have to think about kilos or pounds. Volume only affects some shipments. Your forwarding cost is usually based on the price of your product and product category. However ShopUSA reserves the right to review a shipping cost that is unusually heavy by volumetric or dimensional weight. An example would be a shipment of pillows being light in actual weight but large in volumetric weight. If in doubt contact us at au@shopusa.com 

9. Will my product be shipped via air or ocean? 
All shipments of standard packaged being no heavier than 20kgs, no single side longer than 50cm (20 inches) and a shipment value of less than AUD $1000 low value import threshold are sent via air cargo.

10. Can I have larger shipments sent via air instead of ocean? 
Yes, you can have larger shipments sent via air. Contact us for our current rates.

11. What is the extra cost for very large shipments sent via ocean?  
Contact us for latest rates. 

12. Are all other cost included? 
For standard packages being no more than 20Kgs and no SINGLE side longer than 50cm(20 inches) and a shipment value less than the AUD $1000.00 low value import threshold, the calculator tells you your total forwarding cost, including receiving cost at ShopUSA, shipping cost  and delivery in your local country. 

13. Is GST included and what is the AUD $1,000.00 ‘Low Value Threshold’?
There is no GST payable for any orders that are below the AUD $1,000.00 ‘Low Value Threshold’. Please note that the AUD $1,000.00 ‘Low Value Threshold’ is calculated on the value of your order plus the shipping cost. For all shipments having a value over AUD $1,000.00, GST will be charged.

14. When do I pay?
You pay the seller of the product in the USA directly. When you register the shipment with ShopUSA you enter your credit card information. ShopUSA will not charge your credit card until after the product has been received in the ShopUSA warehouse. ShopUSA will not charge your credit card if the product does not arrive in the ShopUSA warehouse. 

15. Can I track my shipment?
You can track your shipment by clicking on the blue “Track” button on top of the page. There you have a list of all the shipments you have registered at ShopUSA and which shipments have been received in the ShopUSA warehouse.  Most US sellers will also send you tracking number for domestic couriers. At the ShopUSA tracking page you will find links to a few couriers, including FedEx, DHL and UPS. There you can check when your shipment will arrive at the ShopUSA warehouse. 
You will receive an automated email when your shipment has been dispatched from the ShopUSA warehouse.
Currently for Australia, your ability to track your shipment after it is dispatched from our warehouse will resume once it has arrived in Australia and has been entered into the Australia Post ‘eParcel’ tracking system. This can take 5-7 business days from shipping.

16. How long will it take to get my shipment? 
On average, air shipments will take 7 – 10 business days once they are dispatched from our warehouse. 

17. Can I return my product back to the seller? 
Most often you can return your product to a seller in the USA. Please check the seller’s terms on conditions before you buy the product.

18. What happens if I forget to register my shipment at ShopUSA? 
If you forget to register your product, ShopUSA will not be able to forward your shipment. ShopUSA will store your shipment for 30 days. Meanwhile, the ShopUSA service department will try to notify you via email. You must then complete the registration. ShopUSA does not keep any credit card numbers on file. Please remember to always register your shipment every time.

19. How can I be sure that I have successfully completed a purchase from a seller in the USA? 
Most on-line stores will send you a confirmation via email, including details regarding your credit card transaction and sales receipt or invoice. If you do not receive such a confirmation, it is likely that your purchase did not go through and nothing will be shipped. Some US sellers do not accept foreign credit cards. 

20. What do I need to be able to shop in the USA using ShopUSA? 
• Computer linked to the Internet.
• Credit card
• Have your product shipped to your unique ShopUSA address. • Register your shipment with ShopUSA

21. Will my shipment be delivered to my home or office? 
ShopUSA will deliver to the address you used when you registered as a new user. But you have the option to change the delivery address each time you register a shipment with ShopUSA. 


22. What if my credit card is denied by the US seller? 
Some on-line retailers require you to use the same shipping and billing address. Check with your credit card issuer if you can add your ShopUSA address as your secondary billing address. Then register your ShopUSA address as both your shipping and billing address. Some sellers will not accept any foreign credit cards and ask for money to be wire-transferred via Western Union or other means. Please be careful and check if the seller is reliable, especially if it is an individual (on eBay for example) Sometimes it is simply too cumbersome to buy from sellers that do not accept your credit card. You might find same or similar product from many different sellers. You can for example use www.mysimon.com to find other sellers. 

23. What is Pay Pal?
See www.paypal.com

24. Can I have all my products shipped via air?
Most shipments are sent via air, see questions 6 and 7 above. A few products are not allowed in air cargo because they are hazardous material and can cause explosions. Those shipments will be sent via ocean. 

25. Are all American products allowed in my home country? 
Most products sold in the USA are legal in all the different countries around the world. But there are some important exemptions. Please check with your local authorities before your shipment. ShopUSA is not reliable if a shipment cannot be imported to your local country, but you are still responsible for any cost involved. 

For information concerning what goods are prohibited or restricted imports to Australia see question 30. 

26. What about electric equipment designed for 110 voltage?
Most electric equipment in the USA is designed for 110 voltage. You may be able to use a converter if your local country uses a different voltage. Some equipment is designed for 110 voltage and 220 – 240 voltage. This is often the case for smaller appliances and many computer products. There are some suppliers in the USA of 220 - 240 voltage appliances who supply Americans living overseas. Please check the voltage before you buy and ship. 

27. What about American televisions (NTSC)? 
Most TVs sold in the USA are designed for the NTSC system, which is different from the PAL system used in most other countries. You will need a special converter to transfer NTSC signal to PAL signal, in order to be able to use NTSC TV in Europe for example. 

28. What about DVDs?
Most DVDs have zoning restrictions and can’t be used outside the zoned area.

29. What is FOB price?

FOB price is:
a) price of the product,
b) shipping cost within the USA to the ShopUSA warehouse (sometimes it is included in the price of the product)
c) sales tax in the USA (sometimes included in the USA)
Some countries base toll on FOB. For those countries you must register the FOB price at ShopUSA.

30. Directions to the ShopUSA warehouse.
1424 Baker Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455:
All major couriers and the postal service are very familiar with ShopUSA. If needed you can use www.mapquest.com to get directions. Please note that the ShopUSA warehouse is only open during regular business hours.

31. Prohibited or Restricted Goods / Imports to Australia
For information concerning what goods are prohibited or restricted imports to Australia please visit www.customs.gov.au  Here you will find a ‘quick link’ to ‘prohibited and restricted goods’. ShopUSA, ShopUSA (Australia), their shippers, agents, couriers or other service providers accept no responsibility or liability for the import or attempted import of Prohibited or Restricted Goods to Australia.

32. Buying over the internet / low value import threshold
For information concerning buying over the internet and the AUD $1000 low value import threshold please visit www.customs.gov.au  Here you will find quick links to ‘low value import threshold’ and ‘importing goods (buying over the internet)’

33. What if the value of my shipment is above the $1000 low value import threshold.
We can still deliver your goods to your nominated address. However you will be required to pay any Duty, GST, Customs / Quarantine, storage or agency fees charged for the import clearance of the goods. For information regarding Duty and GST see www.customs.gov.au and look under ‘tariff’ and then ‘working tariff page’. 

34. Can I ship a vehicle, motor cycle or boat? 
Currently ShopUSA (Australia) does not arrange shipping of cars, motor cycles or boats to Australia.


Other questions
Send email to au@shopusa.com  if you have any other questions.