What I need to think about prior to importing something?

There are a number of pieces of legislation that manage what can and what can't be imported into Australia. This really is administered and controlled by a number of various Government departments and agencies.

While particular goods might need a permit to import them you will find extremely couple of products which are prohibited completely. Completely prohibited imports are products that no one can import into Australia below any situations. Most products nevertheless may be brought into Australia with out the require to get a permit.

Further info on prohibited imports is accessible around the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service web site.

It can also be advisable to get in touch with the Division of Agriculture to ask about their controls and permit specifications.

What are the rules for importing goods?

As of 12 October 2005, new import rules took effect for low worth consignments.
Goods, Apart from ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO Goods, valued up to AU$1,000 are imported totally free of customs duty and taxes.

If these goods are imported via the postal method (i.e. Australia Post delivers the goods in Australia) generally you'll not be needed to present any paperwork to Customs and Border Protection and Australia Post will send the goods straight to you.

If the goods are becoming delivered airfreight or sea freight, there will still be no payment of customs duty and/or GST needed for the goods valued up to AU$1,000 (not such as alcohol or tobacco goods), nevertheless electronic Customs and Border Protection clearance will probably be needed by way of the Customs Integrated Cargo Method (ICS) and this might incur a processing charge from the carrier of your goods.

Goods over the worth of AU$1,000 will need an Import Declaration to be lodged electronically by way of the Customs Integrated Cargo Method (ICS). Duty and/or taxes will greater than likely be payable. It's might be wise to engage the solutions of a licensed Customs broker to facilitate the Import Declaration and to assist you to ensure you've met all obligations relating towards the importation of your goods.

You require to be aware that the Department of Agriculture might need an inspection of your shipment and charges will apply. You are able to either telephone them on 1800 020 504, or visit the Department of Agriculture web site.

Where to lodge a Tariff Guidance Application or make an enquiry concerning an current application

Please send applications and supporting info inside five days of TAPIN submission (for brokers) towards the Tariff Section at:
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or to Tariff Section, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, GPO Box 2809, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
or towards the Customs Home inside your area.

When you have any enquiries about a tariff guidance application please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 1800 053 016.

The Customs Info and Assistance Centre (CI&SC) can also provide general info about importing goods to Australia. Nevertheless, they can't give you the precise tariff classification for the particular item In the event you require the precise tariff classification submit an Application for Tariff Guidance.

You can get in touch with the CI&SC by telephone on 1300 363 263 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Other costs to consider prior to importing something

Other costs to think about prior to importing some thing into Australia are the costs of manufacturing the item/s, agent charges, overseas transportation, transporting the item to Australia, wharf or handling charges in Australia, costs for reporting the shipment to Customs and Border Protection, Customs Broker charges, the division of Agriculture examination and treatment charges, and Australian transportation costs and so on. This really is not a total list of all the charges and charges that you simply might be liable for, but it gives you an indication of what you require to research prior to importing. You might discover that you simply don't have to pay all of these charges depending in your situations. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service does not charge these charges, nor do we determine what charges will probably be charged. As a result, we can't give any guidance on these charges and charges.

Importing goods having a worth at or beneath $1,000.

Goods, apart from alcohol and tobacco goods, valued at or beneath $1,000 might be imported totally free of customs duty and taxes.

If your goods (not such as tobacco and alcohol goods) are brought into Australia via the postal method (that's, Australia Post delivers the goods in Australia) no paperwork for Customs and Border Protection will probably be needed, except for the parcel declaration or if a permit is needed, and Australia Post will send the goods straight to you.

If the goods are becoming delivered by way of air freight or sea freight, there will probably be no payment of customs duty or tax for goods valued at or beneath $1,000 (not such as alcohol or tobacco goods). Goods (excluding tobacco and alcohol goods) beneath the entry threshold ($1,000) that you simply import don't need an import declaration but should be reported to Customs and Border Protection as a Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) declaration. SAC declarations are often produced in your behalf by the freight forwarder handling your consignment but occasionally you might be needed to create a SAC declaration for your self.

SAC declarations can only be produced electronically to Customs and Border Protection by way from the Integrated Cargo Method (ICS). In the event you personal or acquire a digital certificate you are able to communicate straight using the ICS and make your personal SAC declarations at no price. You might also make use of the solutions of a licensed customs broker to create SAC declarations in your behalf or possess a SAC service provider make SAC declarations for you personally. Whilst you will find no Customs charges or charges for creating a SAC declaration service providers and brokers do charge for the service.

Digital certificates (needed for safe and verified pc communications) may be bought via businesses like Verisign to get a charge and as soon as you've 1 you'll need to register within the ICS as a user. Please see Digital Certificates for additional info.

Importing goods having a worth of greater than AUD$1,000.

Your imported goods will probably be assessed for Customs duty and Goods and Solutions Tax (GST) of 10%. The price of duty depends upon the nature from the goods. Your products might also be topic to Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) or Luxury Vehicle Tax (LCT) as well as other taxes or levies as determined by law.

The duty and GST that might be applied for your goods is assessed as follows:

Duty is determined by the Tariff classification from the goods (Customs Tariff Act 1995). The duty, if any, is calculated around the customs worth from the goods. The customs worth is generally the cost you paid converted to Australian dollars it's also referred to as the transaction worth. Customs and Border Protection can need you to create receipts or invoices and so on. to substantiate the customs worth you've claimed applies, so maintain all of your documents to get a minimum of five years as needed by the Customs Act 1901.

GST (at a price of 10%) is calculated around the Worth from the Taxable Importation referred to as the VoTI.

The VoTi will be the sum of:

• The Customs worth from the goods
• The Duty
• The price of freight and insurance coverage to bring the goods to Australia

To acquire a Tariff Classification and an precise duty price, refer towards the Customs Tariff. As soon as you've reached this web page, you are able to scroll via the chapters to locate the classification for the goods.

Alternatively, you are able to apply to get a tariff guidance by finishing type B102 (Application for Tariff Guidance), for every "invoice"item. Info on how you can total a B102 is around the back from the type, so it's essential to print and view each sides.

How do I file an Import Declaration (Nature ten entry) for goods valued at above $1000?

Irrespective of how your imported goods arrive in Australia, you'll be needed to lodge an Import Declaration when the Customs Worth is above $1000. An Import Declaration might be lodged within the following three ways:

• electronic lodgement: acquire a digital certificate in order to communicate with Customs and Border Protection electronic systems to finish an Import Declaration. Additional details on electronic lodgement are accessible around the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website; or

• engage the solutions of a licensed customs broker (listed inside your local telephone directory or via an internet search) or

• prepare a documentary lodgement by attending the nearest Customs and Border Protection counter and present the necessary documentation which include a 100 points evidence of identity.

Do I require a licence to import something?

There is no requirement for businesses or individuals to hold an import licence. Nevertheless, depending around the nature from the commodity, regardless of worth, owners might require to acquire a permit to facilitate the clearance from the goods. Some goods are not allowed to be imported below any situations, and others might only be imported with written permission within the type of a permit. Permits should be obtained from the relevant Australian government division prior towards the goods becoming imported into Australia.

Information on prohibited products is accessible around the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service web site.

If you are importing goods such as food products, plant, wood, animals or animal goods please get in touch with the Department of Agriculture.

 

What are the labelling specifications for imported goods?

Commerce Trade Descriptions

Importers are needed to ensure that goods entering the commerce of Australia are correctly labelled. The Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905 and the Commerce (Imports) Regulations 1940 set out the labelling specifications for goods imported into Australia. Customs and Border Protection administers this legislation.

It is an offence to import goods that don't bear a needed trade description, or bear a false trade description.

Imported goods that need a trade description should be marked using the name from the country in which the goods were produced or produced, and exactly where specified, a true description from the goods.

When a trade description is needed, it should be:

in the English language; andin prominent and legible characters and;on a principal label or brand affixed in a prominent position and in as permanent a manner as practicable and;

If labelling around the goods includes a weight or quantity, it should also say if that weight or quantity is net or gross.

Any other info included should not contradict or obscure the needed trade description. This includes illustrations, wording or size of lettering.

A false trade description may be any description of goods that's incorrect or misleading. This might include direct or indirect details of size, weight, quality, quantity, origin, manufacturer, ingredients or the application of a patent, privilege or copyright, and includes all possible alterations of a trade description, whether by way of addition, effacement, or otherwise.

A trade description might also be false if info is omitted from the description and this misleads the consumer as towards the true description from the goods.

The Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act provides that goods imported in contravention from the Commerce (Imports) Regulations might be seized by Customs and Border Protection.

If you would like additional info about importing goods into Australia, or are uncertain of any aspect of Customs specifications on labelling, please visit the Australian Customs Service web site at www.customs.gov.au, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone Customs Info on 1300 363 263.

What is an Import Declaration (Nature ten entry)?

Imported goods having a worth above $1000 need an Import Declaration to be lodged with Customs and Border Protection. As soon as this declaration has been lodged and accepted by Customs and Border Protection and all duties and taxes paid goods are released into “home consumption”.

Import Declarations are needed by law to be entered within the Integrated Cargo Method (ICS). You will find three options for importers to do this:

• Complete Import Declaration (Type B650) or Import Declaration - Post (Type B374) and present to a Customs and Border Protectioncounter. Note: The Import Declaration - Post (Type B374) may be emailed to Customs and Border Protection.

• Purchase a digital certificate which allows you to communicate with Customs and Border Protection electronically using the Customs Interactive web site.

• Use the solutions of a licensed Customs broker who will total the Customs and Border Protection specifications for you personally based around the info you provide.

Forms B650 and B374 are accessible from Customs and Border Protection counters or may be downloaded from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website.

The Documentary Import Declaration Comprehensive Guide accessible around the Customs and Border Protection Web site provides info on finishing an Import Declaration (N10).

A guide to finishing the Import Declaration - Post is attached to Type B374.

 

What documents do I need to clear goods imported to Australia?

If you wish to clear the goods your self, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will provide assistance to first time importers within the clearance of their goods. The minimum documentation needed is an invoice, bill of lading/airway bill and any other papers such as packing list, insurance coverage documents, and so on. relating towards the shipment.

Imported goods entering Australia might require to meet a number of specifications for clearance prior to release. Additional info might be sourced at importing goods. This will detail the documents needed to finish Customs and Border Protection formalities when the imported goods arrive. The Documentary Import Declaration Comprehensive Guide provides detailed info, guidance and examples on how you can total an Import Declaration (Customs type B650).

Persons lodging documentation at a Customs office will probably be needed to provide 100 points Evidence of Identity. Details on Evidence of Identity are provided beneath.

Evidence of identity

EOI occurs in relation towards the person lodging the declaration, which might be the importer or importer agent.

The types of document that might be accepted as evidence of identity, and their point values, are:

Document type	Points
Primary documents a full birth certificate an Australian Citizenship Certificate an International Travel Document: Passport - current Passport - expired inside last 2 years, but not cancelled Other document of identity having the same characteristics as a passport	70
Secondary documents - such as photograph or signature of client a licence or permit issued below a law from the Commonwealth, a State or Territory (for example, an Australian driver's licence or an Australian shooter's permit) a public service employee identity card an identification card issued to a student at tertiary education institute an identification card issued by the Commonwealth, a State or Territory as evidence of a person's entitlement to a financial benefit	40
Other documents Mortgage documents a letter from employer (current or inside last two years a rating notice (e.g. land rates)	35
Other documents a marriage certificate (for maiden name) a credit card a council rates notice a Medicare card a foreign driver's licence