Exporting to

AUSTRALIA

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:  Shipments of household goods and personal effects are allowed duty free entry, provided that they have been owned and used by the shipper for at least twelve (12) months prior to importation.  Goods may be cleared before the client arrives in the country provided that all of the necessary and correctly completed documents have been received at our office. 

The Australian Customs Service (ACS) requires the consignee physical street address at destination (not a p.o. box or email).  Without this address, the Agent cannot report the cargo to ACS to clear the goods.  It is acceptable for this to be places such as a Hotel,  Serviced Apartment or the contact address of a friend or relative.  It is not acceptable to send with no address or notations such as TBA.  The Agent is not able to collect the container from the pier and will result in delays for all consignments within the container (if groupage), and detention charges.

ACS requires paperwork be submitted electronically within 24 hours for seafreight and air freight arrival.  Failure will result in a penalty, which is 10 “Penalty Points”.  Each penalty is currently valued at A$112.00, hence each penalty would result in a fine of A$1,120.00.  Therefore it is imperative that all paperwork be complete.

PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS:  Shippers (excluding Australian and New Zealand citizens) are required to have a visa to gain entry and to import household goods shipments.  A photocopy of each page of the client’s passport is required.   An Australian Customs form B534 is required for all shipments to be imported.  Customs clearance can occur even if the shipper is not in the country, provided the form B534 is completed and there are no dutiable items with the shipment.  The B534 must be the original as completed by the client.  Customs will not accept faxed or photocopied forms.  The form can be downloaded from the following site:  www:customs.gov.au/resources/files/effects2.pdf  An Authority to Act form must be completed by the client to authorize clearance on their behalf.  Owner packed goods require a detailed packing list on all d cartons etc. (PBO).  Failure to provide this list will result in delays and extra costs at destination..  Receipts are to be provided for goods not owned and used for at least 12 months.  Inventory is required in English.  All paperwork is required by our office 7 days prior to the arrival of the consignment.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:  Fresh fruits and vegetables (do not use fruit boxes to pack items, they are prohibited).  Grains such as popcorn (popped and unpopped), barley, beans, seeds etc.  All meat and dairy  products.  Plants or parts of plants, soil, seeds, dried flowers and the like.  Ensure that ALL soil is PROPERLY washed off garden implements or shoes/boots, all grass/soil is removed from lawnmowers and bicycles, vacuums cleaner bags are disposed of, Christmas decorations do NOT contain any pine cones, pieces of bark, branches, or any leaves (i.e. parts of any plant). 

Most animals including wildlife and endangered species, animal products (such as ivory, skins, feathers, bones, shells and the like or products made from these items) or animal equipment and biological specimens.  If the above items are in the shipment, the consignment will be seized by Customs for identification.

Medications and narcotic drugs (letter from doctor must state that medication is required for Customer’s

Treatment, and it has been supplied on prescription).

Firearms, weapons, ammunition, explosives and some types of martial arts weapons.  Firearms are subject to severe restrictions.  If the above items are in the shipment, the consignment will be seized by Customs for safety checking.

MOTOR VEHICLES: Importation of motor vehicles and motorcycles into Australia can be very difficult; regulations are strict and complicated.  Importer must have owned and used the vehicle for at least twelve months prior to import.  ALL   MOTOR VEHICLES require an Import Permit from Department of Transport and Regional Services (DoTaRS) before vehicle is shipped.  The customer must have completed an application to import a vehicle into Australia.  Information can be obtained from “DoTARS” on www.dotars.gov.au/transreg/vsb/vsb_10.htm

Owner must submit Purchase documents, registration papers and paid duty and sales tax.  Vehicle must have been steam cleaned and inside vacuumed before departure to Australia.  Vehicles are subject to sales tax and very high import duties.  Quarantine authorities will inspect the vehicle on arrival.  Vehicles must meet minimum safety and emission standards and be right-hand drive, (if not, modifications must be made in Australia).  Motorcycles/scooters being imported by first time immigrants are free of duty and sales tax, and those being imported by returning residents are free of duty, but do incur sales tax.

It is also important to note that the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 prohibits the  importation of any equipment that may only operate by using a CFC refrigerant.  Any vehicle equipped with an air conditioning system charged with R12 will require the filler valve and the receiver drier to be removed.   Air conditioner systems fitted with any seals and hoses that are only R12 compatible must also be removed and/or replaced.  Detailed information is available at www.deh.gove.au/atmosphere/ozone.

PETS:  Strict regulations and quarantine apply.  Length of quarantine will depend upon the type of animal and country of origin.  Proof of inoculation is required.  Must obtain an Import Permit from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.  Birds are prohibited.

ANTIQUES:  Antiques are treated the same as other Personal Effects if owned/used twelve (12) months ore more.  If owned/used less than twelve months, genuine antiques are allowed duty/tax free provided an acceptable “LAPADA” verification certificate accompanies them.  If there is no such certificate, they are subject to inspection by a Customs-authorized antique expert in Australia to verify the item is antique.  In such cases, a fee of approximately A$200.00 is payable to the verifier.

Useful Websites:  Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services:  www.aquis.gov.au

Australian Customs Services:   www.customs.gov.au

Dept. of Transport:  www.dotars.gov.au

The information above is to be used as a general guide only and is subject to change with or without notice.  We strongly recommend you contact the applicable authorities directly.  (Revised March 2004)