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Customs Information for Household and personal effects import to Australia
Customs Clearance
A Customs form (B534) issue 6/00 (no earlier) Unaccompanied Baggage
Statement must be signed and completed by the owner of the goods to clear
the shipment when it arrives in Australia. Photocopies of passport pages
including Australian entry stamp (some ports of entry require copy of all
pages including blank pages, - check with your moving company at port of
entry) together with a full descriptive inventory in English are required
to clear Customs. (Original passport may be required by Customs for car
clearance). It is preferable that the completed Customs declaration,
passport copies and inventory are attached to shipping documents and
received by your moving company prior to arrival of the shipment.
Prohibited and
Restricted Goods
Drugs of dependence, for example, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs,
amphetamines, barbiturates, and tranquillisers must be declared to Customs
(they should not be included in any 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 in Australia 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.
Household Goods and
Personal Effects
All goods entering into Australia are subject to Customs inspection and
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.
Import of CFC
Refrigerant and other pre-charged Systems into Australia
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 shipment to AUSTRALIA. This includes air-conditioning
units in motor vehicles (usually those built before 1996).
A revised Australian Customs Services Unaccompanied Personal Effects
Statement (B534 form) is expected shortly which will include a specific
question and a declaration required from importers to meet the
requirements of the Act.
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.
Further information may be obtained from:- Department of the Environment
and Heritage website:-
http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/licences/index.html or
by contacting the Department by email at
ozone@deh.gov.au
or the Ozone and Synthetic Gas Team GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone 61–2 6274 1373
Importation of CFC
Refrigerants/Equipments into Australia/Update
Following further discussion with the Department of Environment and
Heritage it has been confirmed that there is an exemption in place for any
items being imported as personal effects by immigrants and individuals
arriving on a temporary entry permit or returning Australian residents who
are importing pre charged equipment that they originally sent out from
Australia.
The only restriction relates to Australian residents who have purchased
the equipment whilst overseas and are importing that equipment into
Australia for the first time.
It should be noted that Motor Vehicles do not qualify as Personal Effects
and a permit from the Department of Environment and Heritage is required
to allow importation.
Motor Vehicles
When importing a motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, new or second hand,
the client must obtain an import permit from the Federal Office of Road
Safety in Canberra. This permit must be obtained prior to shipping.
Quarantine
Australia is very dependent upon primary industries such as livestock and
agriculture. Australia is fortunate, indeed unique, in its freedom from
many diseases of humans, animals and plants, which affect other parts of
the world.
As a result, quarantine regulations are strict and, if in any doubt,
please check with your agent 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.
When importing a motor vehicle, motorbike, caravan or trailer the
quarantine authorities will inspect the vehicle on arrival and may require
it to be steam cleaned. Clearance will be assisted if all soil, etc., is
removed from the vehicle (including underneath) before shipment. This also
applies to any item, which comes in contact with soil, e.g., lawn mowers,
garden tools, garden furniture and bicycles.
WARNING:
Making a false or misleading statement to the Authorities is an offence
and may involve heavy penalties. Drug trafficking is against the law and
severe penalties apply.
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