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GST on online imports will “clog up” deliveries in Australia, says DHL boss

Online shoppers should be treated the same as airline passengers, who can claim most of their personal overseas purchases as duty free, says one of the world’s biggest mail and logistics companies.

Gary Edstein, chief executive of DHL Express Oceania, has cautioned Treasurer Joe Hockey about scrapping the AUD1000 (USD734) tax-free threshold for online imports, saying the move could "clog up" deliveries.

Mr Edstein also defended the tax-funded mail agency, Australia Post, which is spending up to AUD190 million slashing almost 2000 jobs in response to a diving volume of letters.