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Really need your help - Australian customs

82

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:02

We will be moving to Oz and going to ship our household stuff through a container. We have a new fridge and two new TVs (both less than 1 year old). I read on the customs website that all personal items have to be owned and used for over a year, if not, it attracts duty.

Anyone has any feedback at all? If I declare them on the customs form as less than a year old, whats the duty % like? I am getting really worried about this. Please help if you have any experience with such stuff.

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133

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 19:25

Hi there I have recently moved here from Oz and asked customs all these questions for our return. As long as you don't have many new things or clearly very valuable things, you should be fine in terms of paying duty. The people you normally worry about are AQUIS (quarantine). Anything plant/timber related will get inspected and maybe treated. You cannot avoid it. If the company is paying for relocation they should pay for this as well. It is normal for this to occurr and does not mean there has been an exception anyhow good luck with your move lucky you going to such an amazing country

Cherry ripe49050

970

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 13:28

We are Aussie and have shipped back a 40ft a few years ago. You should be right with just one or two of each appliance, especially if used. They are looking for multiples that you might be selling. We shipped back a kitchen full of new appliances, but only one of each. The packers just reboxed some or covered the box with their wrapping. We did get 'caught' with dirty golf shoes, although hubby said he'd cleaned them and our garden pots had a few leaves in bottom as had been packed in a sandstorm, so we had to pay to have these 'cleaned'. I really wouldnt be worried.

446

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 12:55

I'd be more concerned with the agricultural side of things i.e. wooden articles etc. When we left Australia many years ago to move to Dubai, my small daughter brought with her a tiny heart shaped rafia jewellery box. We moved to Singapore years later and it came along again. From there we moved back to Oz and would you believe out a full 40ft container of household goods including lots of bamboo furniture etc, AQIS decided this jewellery box was the ONLY item of concern - said they could treat it and return it or they could destroy it at a cost of $60...chose the latter. Sensed they had to find something to generate a few $$ from. Very particular about these items. Plus, check that your trainers and shoes are dirt free - a friend thought she was really thorough but had to pay to have all their trainers fumigated.

82

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 11:49

Wow, looks like they had to pick 'something' I am going to take another look at my wooden stuff knick knacks :-)

120

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 11:44

I'd be more concerned with the agricultural side of things i.e. wooden articles etc. When we left Australia many years ago to move to Dubai, my small daughter brought with her a tiny heart shaped rafia jewellery box. We moved to Singapore years later and it came along again. From there we moved back to Oz and would you believe out a full 40ft container of household goods including lots of bamboo furniture etc, AQIS decided this jewellery box was the ONLY item of concern - said they could treat it and return it or they could destroy it at a cost of $60...chose the latter. Sensed they had to find something to generate a few $$ from.

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 11:07

Thanks Ladybee and Plum2! I am a worrywart :-) Wuffles, it clearly says 1 year on the customs website. I am not taking any rugs though. Thanks-apparently rugs have to be cleaned if you are which is a pest

82

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 11:02

Thanks Ladybee and Plum2! I am a worrywart :-) Wuffles, it clearly says 1 year on the customs website. I am not taking any rugs though.

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:23

I'd be interested to know too-must have a Google-always thought furniture and rugs had to be over 2 years to avoid duty-filed all my receipts just in case

804

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:21

I think if they are just wrapped by the packers along with all your other household goods you should be fine. As Lady Bee said, it will just be stuff in unopened original packing that they are looking for. Exactly. :)

1913

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:17

I think if they are just wrapped by the packers along with all your other household goods you should be fine. As Lady Bee said, it will just be stuff in unopened original packing that they are looking for.

804

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:12

Personally, I'd just try my luck and label them used. Do you HAVE to put receipts or something on the goods? I don't know what the duty charges are but - I'm Australian btw - I would honestly just pack them up as household goods and send them through. I think the 'year' tariff is to stop absolutely-brand-new stuff being brought into the country. With goods which are nudging that, they're not going to be too fussed, esp. if they're obviously looking like used items. If that makes sense. Disclaimer: I'm not a worrywort about this sort of stuff though - others may have evidence that they've been picked up on importing things like this - but really, if the fridge/TVs are in with all your other used household items, you should be fine. Good luck. And don't worry. :) PS. By the time your stuff clears customs, it may be over a year old anyway! :D

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