Custom Hints Australia

• All shippers (excluding Australian and New Zealand citizens) are required to have a visa to gain entry and to import household goods shipments
• A customs formB534 (http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/B534e.pdf ) Unaccompanied Effects Form is required for all shipments to be imported.
• Our destination representative can clear the shipment if the shipper is not in the country, provided the form B534 is complete and there are no dutiable items with the shipment
• The B534 must be the original as completed by the shipper. Customs will not accept faxed or photocopied forms. Customs will also ask for a photocopy of each page of the clients passport
• An Authority to Act form must be completed by the client to authorize clearance on their behalf
• Owner packed goods require a list of contents from the owner
• Any receipts for goods not owned and used for at least 12 months

Drugs of dependence, like narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, and tranquillisers must be declared to Australia Customs which should not be included in any moving shipment of household goods and personal effects. Goods such as dangerous weapons (including spring-bladed knives, daggers, swordsticks and knuckledusters) are prohibited. Firearms including air, gas, flame and starting pistols and spear guns are subject to import restrictions and will be subject to release on approval from the Police authorities. All firearms and ammunition imported to must be declared to Customs. Any article made from wildlife species must be checked with your Moving Company, before shipping, as they may be prohibited.

All Household goods entering into Australiaare subject to Customs inspection before clearance. Unaccompanied baggage and household goods may be imported into Australia free of customs duty providing the personal and household effects have been owned and used overseas for (12) twelve months or more preceding the customer's departure for Australia. Items not in this category, which have been owned and used for less than twelve months, will be subject to duty. The rates applicable vary and purchase receipts, invoices or the like will be required to substantiate values involved. All alcohol is dutiable and must be declared, even partly used bar stock

It is strongly recommended that you do not ship your vehicle until after you receive your Import Approval. The importation of motor vehicles into Australia is strictly controlled and there are no duty/GST free concessions available. This means that all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, will be subject to duty and/or GST which will be calculated on the value of the vehicle. In addition, high value vehicles will attract a Luxury Car Tax. There are also strict regulations for the registration of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, for road use in Australia

All vehicles must comply with Australian Design Regulations which, in almost every case, will require modification to be undertaken to the vehicle to bring it up to the required standard. It is possible that in some instances a vehicle may not be able to be modified, or alternatively may require extensive modification so as to allow registration.

All such modifications must be undertaken and certified by an accredited Australian automotive engineer and can be a very costly undertaking which often results in an uneconomical situation arising in preparing a vehicle for road use.

• Shipper must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a person who has applied to become an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.
• Shipper must have owned and used the auto for at least twelve months prior to import.
• The Applicant is of an age that entitles him or her to hold a license or permit to drive a road vehicle.
• The Applicant undertakes to comply with any requirements as to road safety that are imposed in respect of the vehicle by the Administrator of Vehicle Standards.
• Shipper has not imported a road vehicle owned by him or her within the year ending on the day on which the vehicle in respect of which the application is made is landed in Australia.
• All vehicles intended to be imported, including motor vehicles, motorcycles, cars, vans, trailers etc. must have an individual "Vehicle Import Approval" prior to their arrival in Australia.
• An 'Application For Vehicle Import Approval' must be lodged with the Vehicle Safety Standards office in Canberra, prior to the arrival of the vehicle in Australia. This action must be undertaken as early as possible as motor vehicles are unable to be cleared until an approved application has been obtained.
• The owner or spouse must produce the documents listed below and complete a B357 Form (Statement for Vehicle Imported by a Passenger).
• Documents Required:
• Bill of Sale
• Certificate of Steam Cleaning
• Current Passport (previous passport required together with current, if current passport has been issued after purchase of vehicle)
• Import Permit (will not be granted to Shipper  who are on a temporary visa)
• Original Purchase and Registration Papers (showing purchase price and purchase date)
• Receipts for any modifications to the vehicle which would add value to the purchase price
• Insurance Policy
• Drivers License
• Service records and log books
• Car Condition Report
• Authorization from Federal Office of Road Safety
• Clearance from the Australian Quarantine Service
• The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) inspects all vehicles on arrival, and requires them to be properly cleaned.  This is usually effected by steam cleaning.  Shipper should remove all soil and any other matter from his vehicle (including and especially the underside) prior to its exportation
• Further information on Australian Quarantine Inspection Service can be located on their website at www.affa.gov.au and select the "Quarantine and Inspection" option
• CUSTOMER MUST BE IN AUSTRALIA FOR AUTO CLEARANCE TO AVOID BONDED STORAGE CHARGES AND DEMURRAGE
• LEFT-HAND DRIVEN VEHICLES SUBJECT TO TEMPORARY PERMIT FROM DEPARTMENT OF ROAD SAFETY

• Dogs - dangerous breeds (prohibited import). Imports are not allowed under any circumstances
• Strict regulations and quarantine apply (quarantine space very limited)
• Length of quarantine will depend upon the type of animal and country of origin
• Proof of inoculation
• Must obtain an Import Permit from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
• Further information on Australian Quarantine Inspection Service can be located on their websitewww.affa.gov.au and select the "Quarantine and Inspection" option
• Birds prohibited

Drugs being chemicals and compounds as listed in Schedule 4 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations. This includes

• isomers or mixture of isomers of a controlled chemicals or compounds;
• A derivative of a controlled chemical or compound, including isomers and mixtures of isomers;
• substances or things that contain controlled chemical/s or compound/s, including isomers and mixtures of isomers, and derivatives; or other chemicals and compounds that are an immediate precursor to a controlled chemical or compound.

Passengers arriving on board a ship or aircraft do not need a permit if:

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• the drug is required for their own medical treatment or the treatment of another passenger or animal under their care; AND
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• has been prescribed by a medical practitioner or veterinarian and the original prescription is presented upon arrival; AND
• the amount of drug/s does not exceed three (3) months supply at the maximum prescribed dosage.

If the prescription is not in English, then a version translated into English must also be presented. The exemption only applies to drugs carried in the passenger's accompanied baggage.

Passengers aged 18 years or more do not need a permit to import kava if:

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• the kava is in either root or dried form;
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• the amount of kava does not exceed 2 kilograms; and
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• the kava is carried in the passenger's accompanied baggage.

These exemptions apply only to passengers. Any amount of controlled drugs imported by other means such as post or air cargo require a permit.

Import of CFC Refrigerant and Other Pre Charged Systems

The importation into Australia of household freezers and refrigerators or refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment that is charged with a CFC (R12) refrigerant is prohibited (totally banned) under the Ozone Protection and Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and such equipment must be removed prior to moving shipment to Australia. This includes air-conditioning units in motor vehicles (usually those built before 1996).

Documentary evidence is required to show that the refrigerant has been evacuated and the relevant system parts have been removed.

Any importer who does import any of this equipment may be subject to prosecution, seizure of equipment, fines and other monetary sanctions.

Quarantine (AQIS)

Australia is fortunate, indeed unique, in its freedom from many diseases of humans, animals and plants, which affect other parts of the world.

Quarantine regulations are strict because depends upon primary industries such as livestock and agriculture. Check with your Moving Company at the port of entry into Australia

While live animals are the greatest risk, animal products such as fresh and tinned MEAT, SALAMI, EGGS and DAIRY PRODUCTS are risk items. Many such articles or goods are prohibited, as are plants, soil, seeds, skins, shells and the like.

The quarantine inspection charges are payable to our destination representatives, approximate charges as follows:

Groupage consignments:	Up to 10 cbft	AU$ 80
	Up to 20 cbft	AU$100
	Up to 30 cbft	AU$125
	Up to 350 cbft	AU$150
	Over 350 cbft	AU$260
20ft sole use container		AU$340
40ft sole use container		AU$560
Motor Car/Motor Cycle		AU$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.

WARNING: Making a false or misleading statement to the Australia Customs is an offence and may involve heavy penalties. Drug trafficking is against the law and severe penalties apply.

Note - Customs regulations subject to change without prior notice