Clearing customs into Australia

[dylan11235813]

Has anyone had anything come through customs recently that knows the process and the fees involved. They send out a letter/s but I don't particularly want to wait for it.

It is several packages (with individual consignment numbers) and some are under $1000 and some over. It is via EMS/Australia Post

It seems they have changed the process within the last year or so and they require declarations from my side submitted electronically (or in person) and there seems to be other processing fees involved now.

[lyndal1838]

It sounds like you should have made arangements before having the goods ent.

I would ring Customs and find out the process....you may be able to get the paperwork under way before the goods arrive and if you need a Customs agent you can get one booked.

[dylan11235813]

I have done it before but it has only ever been one package and AusPost sent a letter, I called, and payed the GST. I have never had to declare anything from my side. And there has never before been any duty (duty free item) or brokerage fee through AusPost, that was some time ago now though

Does anyone know if it is still treated as one shipment with multiple consignment numbers (all shipped from the same supplier at the same time)?

To submit those import declarations is about $50 for each one....Basically what the customs broker would do. They are easy to fill out with the exception that I can't seem to find an appropriate tariff code.

Is there a code to use if there is no tariff and what effect does a free trade agreement have? Do I need to read a free trade agreement?

I am still awaiting my letter from Australia Post so maybe it is the same as last time.

It seems strange to me that they would go to all this trouble for something like, if I ordered a phone from China that was US$700 and had to do the import declaration or employ a customs broker for said item. Rather than just send a bill for GST and duty.

[lyndal1838]

My daughter does Customs clearances but you have already said you dont want to pay for a broker to do it.

Ring Customs and they can tell you what you need to know.  If the system has changed you may have no option but to use a broker.

I have only had to pay for one lot of duty and that was way back when the duty free limit was $400.

One thing I do know....if the 3 parcels are part of the same shipment you will pay the charges on all three parcels even though they may not individually exceed the $1000 limit.

[dylan11235813]

That is actually what I hope, that they treat it as all for one. I have never used a customs broker and never had to fill out forms.

The other times (about 1-2 years ago) they have just cleared the shipment with payment of GST. No brokerage fees or anything, which is why I thought it good to send through Australia Post, I thought they handled the clearing process.

The forrms are no problem but the cost for each one is...I will use a different company next time that is cheaper for post and brokerage like UPS. The base rate is about $50 for physical forms directly, UPS charge $66, and seemingly cheaper for postage.

I have contacted customs (by email) to find out the details but it is a waiting game for the letter from Australia Post.

[lyndal1838]

You have lost me......UPS is recognised as one of the most expensive courier companies...much more expensive than USPS.

I can't imagine their charges for processing the Customs clearances would be cheaper.

Why would you be happy at all the parcels being processed together.   For example.....2 parcels are $300 each, the third is $1100.00

Processed together you will pay charges on $1700.00.  Treated as 3 different shipments you will only pay on $1100.00,

And you will still pay a Customs agent for each con-note separately.

[247newdeals]

I have not yet but I am looking at it and still a little confused but http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/Import-duty-taxes-when-importing-into-Australia/ does lay down the fees which is 10% GST +0-10 Duty and a processing fee of either $50 or $152 depending on the total amount. It is not as clear cut as I would like it and will be making a lot of phone calls before I make an order over $1000.

lyndal1838 I was confused by why Dylan would want the packages to be counted as 1 as some are under $1000  but I am assuming it is so he just has to deal with 1 lot of paperwork atm or maybe he just love paying extra 🙂 I would think it will be treated as i consignment though 

[lyndal1838]

It depends on the paperwork from the seller.

If there are 3 con-notes with no connection other than sent by the same person/business then they may be treated separately.

But if they are labelled parcel  1 of 3, 2 of 3 and 3 of 3 then they will be processed as one item.

But no matter how they are treated for Customs assessment, a Customs agent will usually charge you for 3 lots of processing as each parcel has a separate con-note.

newdeals, may I ask what quantities you are looking to import?  Are you wanting to buy commercial quantities of stock to sell, or an occasional personal purchase that is over $1000?

If it is going to be a regular commercial purchase I would suggest having an agent do at least the first clearance for you.  This will give you all the information you need such as tarrifs etc to do future clearances yourself.

If it is an occasional personal purchase then don't worry about it....when the goods arrive in Australia with whoever the shipper is, the goods will be cleared by the shipper and you will be contacted if there is anything owing.  You can usually pay over the phone with your credit card and the goods arrive on your doorstep soon afterwards.

[247newdeals]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

It depends on the paperwork from the seller.

If there are 3 con-notes with no connection other than sent by the same person/business then they may be treated separately.

But if they are labelled parcel  1 of 3, 2 of 3 and 3 of 3 then they will be processed as one item.

But no matter how they are treated for Customs assessment, a Customs agent will usually charge you for 3 lots of processing as each parcel has a separate con-note.

newdeals, may I ask what quantities you are looking to import?  Are you wanting to buy commercial quantities of stock to sell, or an occasional personal purchase that is over $1000?

If it is going to be a regular commercial purchase I would suggest having an agent do at least the first clearance for you.  This will give you all the information you need such as tarrifs etc to do future clearances yourself.

If it is an occasional personal purchase then don't worry about it....when the goods arrive in Australia with whoever the shipper is, the goods will be cleared by the shipper and you will be contacted if there is anything owing.  You can usually pay over the phone with your credit card and the goods arrive on your doorstep soon afterwards.

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I do plan to be buying commercial quantities but it want be for at least 3-6 months to give myself time to look into what is needed and I am looking into brokers/agents, I really appreciate the advice this is totally new territory for me so flying blind atm so to speak.

[dylan11235813]

Just an update.

I got the letter from Australia Post today (they sent it express). They treated everything as one consignment, I didn't want to fill out muliple paperwork and pay the fees for each one

The wierd this is they allowed one of the packages through (they actually inspected it and released it). I guess I am still supposed to pay the fees on that one as well. But the letter that I received did not include that consignment number.....My invoice from the supplier does so I guess there is no way around it.

The form is available on the customs website (N10 form I think it is called) and seems quite easy to fill out. The hardest part is finding the tariff code.

All the paperwork can be done online but there is some requirement to purchase a digital certificate from a third party The link they give just directs to the main page of the place that sells them but I couldn't find it on thier website.

Another thing that I didn't realize is the GST is payable on the shipping cost as well. Imports are assessed on the goods value only, but when paying the GST it is based on the goods and shipping cost (and duty if one)