Moving 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, correctly completed documents are in order

As of July 1, 2002, the Australian Customs Service (ACS) began implementing a new cargo reporting and clearance system. This system now requires forwarders and importers to electronically report all incoming cargo to the ACS at least 24 hours prior to the Vessel or aircraft arrival at an Australian port. This cargo report must contain the name and residential address of the owner/receiver of the cargo. It is acceptable for this address to be shown as a hotel, serviced apartment or the contact address of a friend, relative or place of employment. It is not acceptable to send no address or notations such as TBA, will advise, etc. No shipment will be dispatched from port of departure to an Australian port of entry until an address as such is advised to Allied International.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

• The B534 must be the original as completed by the client. 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
• A descriptive inventory (English) is required
• Any receipts for goods not owned and used for at least 12 months
• 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 form B534 Unaccompanied Effects Form is required for all shipments to be imported. This form can be obtained from the destination agent or downloaded at www.customs.gov.au/travel/unaccomp.htm
• The agent 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

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

• Foodstuff:
  • 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, vacuum 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 above items in shipment, shipment 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
  • Weapons will undergo safety check
  • All firearms will be held by Customs upon arrival and held in “Queens Bond” pending approval by the Police Department for a “Shooters License”
• Radio transmitters, citizen band radios, cordless telephones (must be approved by the Department of Transport and Communication)
• If above items in shipment, shipment will be seized by Customs for safety checking
• Importation of any prohibited item without the necessary Australian Import Permit, may result in $50,000 to $100,000 fines and a jail term of 5-10 years

Any alcohol brought into Australia must be declared and is subject to duty/GST. Charges are calculated on the following –

• Value of each bottle
• Percentage of alcohol content
• Volume Each bottle of alcohol needs to be listed, and have the above noted, on a separate inventory sheet

PETS:

• 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
• Birds prohibited

MOTOR VEHICLES:

• 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.

• Customer 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
• Customer 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
• Customer 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, caravans, 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
• Further information on vehicle compliance requirements and access to the “Application for a Vehicle Import Approval” is located at www.dotars.gov.au
• The owner or spouse must produce the documents listed below and complete a B357 Form (Statement for Vehicle Imported by a Passenger)
• 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. The customer should remove all soil and any other matter from your vehicle (including and especially the underside) prior to its exportation
• 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
• Further information relating to the current Customs clearance and valuation process and the applicable Customs Duty, GST and Luxury Car Tax rates can be located on the Australian Customs Service web site at https://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/passports-and-travel/customs-and-quarantine
• 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 Customers 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

NOTE: Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, we cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.