A Guide to Importation of Personal & Household Effects Into Australia

Supplied by Anglo Pacific International June 2004.

TO QUALIFY FOR DUTY AND TAX FREE ENTRY

  • Goods must have been owned and used for 12 months or more preceding owner’s departure for Australia (exception alcohol and tobacco which are subject to duty & tax).
  • Antiques must form part of a bona fide removal, conditions as above apply. Antiques owned and used for less than 12 months accompanied by a LAPADA verification certificate may also be imported duty free but are subject to GST.

Unless the above criteria are satisfied duty and GST may be payable.

  • INHERITED GOODS. If your goods form part of a deceased estate, you will need to provide our representative with a Statutory Declaration (witnessed and stamped as above), a copy of the will and a copy of the Death Certificate or a letter from the Executor and copy of Death Certificate, copy of your passport (photo page only Australian passport, all pages foreign passport).

 

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE (if the goods belong to you)

Our destination representative will contact you prior to arrival of your goods and will supply a Customs Declaration Form (Form B534 – Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement). You must complete and return the B534 Form to our representative together with:
  1. Passport Copy:
    • Front page with Photo (all Australian Passport Holders)
    • Photo Page plus every stamped page and entry visa (if not Australian Passport). If you have an electronic Visa please make a note on your passport photo page copy.
    • Shipments arriving to the State of Queensland also require copy of your spouse’s passport or passport of friend if travelling with you.
  2. Packing List
    A Descriptive numbered inventory (packing list) covering each package in your shipment.
  3. Receipts
    Receipts for payment of any goods in your shipment owned/used for less than 12 months prior to shipping (these items must be declared on the B534 Declaration Form listing date of purchase and amount paid (or estimated value) in AUD (don’t pack the receipts in your shipment!).
  4. Alcohol
    A detailed listing of any alcohol in your shipment. If you intend to include any alcohol in your shipment bear in mind the alcohol will be subject to duty/GST and Customs clearance of your shipment may be delayed. You must prepare a list of the alcohol in your shipment prior to sending the shipment and the list needs to be in a detailed format – contact Anglo Pacific for a draft alcohol list and guide on the alcohol importation into Australia (don’t conceal food or alcohol in your shipment – it will be detected!). Please make a note of which box your alcohol is packed in.

If your name has changed since your passport was issued you will need to provide a copy of your official documentation confirming the change.

Provided you correctly complete and provide the above documents to our destination representative, physical examination by Customs is on a random basis only unless you have declared specific items of interest on the B534 (e.g. cordless phone, weapons, food, alcohol).

 

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE (someone clearing goods on your behalf)

Goods may be cleared in advance of your arrival provided you arrive in Australia within 6 months of the arrival of your goods. If you consign your goods to someone else, or have your nominee (e.g. relative, friend) arrange clearance on your behalf in your absence, then the clearance documents will differ to those applicable if you are clearing your own goods.

The person/nominee clearing the goods on your behalf will be supplied with a blank Statutory Declaration form and will need to provide our destination representative with the following documents:

  1. A witnessed Statutory Declaration signed and dated by your nominee containing the following information – their relationship with you, what they are receiving, why they are receiving them, when owner is returning to Australia, how long owner has been out of Australia, if there are any goods in the shipment owned/used for less than 12 months and their estimated values in AUD, whether there is any alcohol or tobacco in the shipment.
  2. A copy of the nominee’s identification document, e.g. Drivers License or copy of passport (photo page if Australian Passport, otherwise all pages if foreign passport holder).
  3. A descriptive numbered inventory (packing list) covering each package in your shipment.
  4. If shipment is going to the State of Queensland a copy of your passport will also be required.

A physical examination by Customs is more likely for shipments cleared by others on your behalf. Please note in the event of an examination you may be liable for customs examination charges, payable to our destination representative (charges on request).

Locked Items - please provide our representative with keys for inspection by Quarantine and Customs or send written approval for locks to be broken (Customs or Quarantine have the power to break locks in the absence of the above approval).

 

QUARANTINE CLEARANCE

With the advent of foot and mouth in the UK a portion of every shipment is inspected upon arrival by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS). The quarantine inspection charges are payable to our destination representatives, approximate charges as follows:

Groupage consignments:Up to 10 cbftAU$ 80
Up to 20 cbftAU$100
Up to 30 cbftAU$125
Up to 350 cbftAU$150
Over 350 cbftAU$260
20ft sole use containerAU$340
40ft sole use containerAU$560
Motor Car/Motor CycleAU$150

AQIS inspection charges are subject to 10% GST

Inspection is more intense if your consignment contains garden furniture, toys, machinery or tools, sports or camping equipment, seeds, plants or dried flowers, caneware, shoes, saddlery, bikes, groceries, ethnic ornaments or candles and especially Xmas Decorations. Cartons marked "kitchen", "sundries", "miscellaneous" or "packed by owner" are also likely to be inspected. It is critical all items are spotlessly clean with no soil attached.

 

FUMIGATION/STEAM CLEANING/TREATMENT

Of those consignments inspected it is very rare that any treatment is required unless there is evidence of infestation (e.g. borers) or dirt. Genuine antiques over 100 years tend to be automatically ordered for fumigation treatment.

Fumigation of wooden boats/canoes etc is mandatory.

Gamma Irradiation Treatment can be ordered by Quarantine for items such as animal equipment (saddles, etc.) skins/hides and similar items. Treatment of any sort involves additional costs.

 

TIMESCALE

Consignments shipped by sea will be available for delivery or handout approximately 10-14 days following vessel arrival. Airfreight is generally available 3-4 days following aircraft arrival. Obviously these periods can fluctuate during peak periods like Christmas/New Year and for delivery to country areas or interstate.

 

RESTRICTED ARTICLES

The following articles are usually permitted entry but may be subject to inspection by Quarantine and/or treatment:
  • Animal trophies if professionally prepared
  • Bone and shell articles
  • Chinese herbs and medicines
  • Cut flowers except those capable of propagation, e.g. roses and carnations
  • Baby food not exceeding 1 kg
  • Dried flowers and plant material
  • Foodstuffs (dried, cooked, canned and bottled)
  • Holy water
  • Rawhide, native drums and artefacts, partially cured hides/skins and leather goods
  • Rice, flour and spices
  • Rocks (clean and free of soil)
  • Seeds (in most cases) and nuts
  • Wooden articles including cane and bamboo

Additional costs will be incurred if treatment or disposal is ordered

 

PROHIBITED ARTICLES

The following articles are prohibited by Customs or Quarantine (except under pre-arranged special conditions:
  • Most firearms
  • Birds, some feathers and poultry products
  • Cereal seeds, dried beans and peas
  • Dairy products (except baby foods not exceeding 1 kg)
  • Eggs and products containing eggs
  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Fridges/air conditioning units containing a CFC refrigeration system
  • Honey and bee products e.g. royal jelly
  • Live plants, animals and insects
  • Meat and meat products (fresh and dried) including canned pork

This information is not definitive and is intended as a guide only. Destination regulations can change without notice and for specific guidance we strongly recommend that you obtain direct rulings from the relevant authority.