In Reply to: my goods posted by bigbadbull on Thursday, 3. June 2010 at 13:34 Bali Time:
In all fairness, maybe the Customs officer had every reason to believe that you were importing more than just gifts for friends.
In your first post you do not state how large the boxes were, but as you "get 10 for the same price as 3 on the streets in Kuta" and here you mention a value of "under $700" there would need to be a huge quantity of metal wall art in the boxes to come anywhere this figure.
Customs officers may consider it unlikely that one could have so many friends.
It is difficult to argue that "multiple of multiples" are for private consumption.
While congratulating your kids on their commendable business acumen, do their purchases of "multiples of hats, bags etc" to be sold to their mates fit comfortably in the category "for friends"?
Some time ago when I broached this subject with the Customs Department an officer explained that the non-dutiable figure of AU$1000 applies to goods imported by mail ( I can only speak of EMS from experience), not to articles brought in through airports etc.
If the goods are deemed to be to be of a commercial quantity the private goods allowance does not apply and duty may be calculated on the full value of the importation.