Warning: AU customs are now really tight
#1
Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Up until recently, the AU customs website had a page giving the duty-free allowances. The page also said that if you brought in more than your allowance, as long as you declared the excess, and payable duty was less than $50, they would not charge you.
The system has now changed. Bring in more than your allowance, you have to pay duty on the whole bloody lot!
This is from http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4728
From 1 February 2005, travellers are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty/tax free:
Group 1 - general
A$900 worth of goods (A$450 for people under 18) including gifts (given to you or intended for others), souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment. Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this concession.
These goods can be:
obtained overseas
purchased in Australia duty or tax free before departure
goods for which a tax refund has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme
purchased from an inwards duty free shop on arrival.
Group 2 - alcohol
2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger aged 18 years or over.
Group 3 - tobacco
250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products for each passenger aged 18 years or over. One opened packet containing 25 cigarettes or less is also allowed.
NOTE: HOWEVER, if you exceed any of the concession limits set out above, Customs will charge you duty and tax on the entire importation or purchase within that group of items
************************************************** ******
They are now enforcing this new rule with a vengeance: I was stung with a $120 bill this morning at Brisbane
The system has now changed. Bring in more than your allowance, you have to pay duty on the whole bloody lot!
This is from http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4728
From 1 February 2005, travellers are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty/tax free:
Group 1 - general
A$900 worth of goods (A$450 for people under 18) including gifts (given to you or intended for others), souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment. Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this concession.
These goods can be:
obtained overseas
purchased in Australia duty or tax free before departure
goods for which a tax refund has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme
purchased from an inwards duty free shop on arrival.
Group 2 - alcohol
2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger aged 18 years or over.
Group 3 - tobacco
250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products for each passenger aged 18 years or over. One opened packet containing 25 cigarettes or less is also allowed.
NOTE: HOWEVER, if you exceed any of the concession limits set out above, Customs will charge you duty and tax on the entire importation or purchase within that group of items
************************************************** ******
They are now enforcing this new rule with a vengeance: I was stung with a $120 bill this morning at Brisbane
#2
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by Trevglas
Up until recently, the AU customs website had a page giving the duty-free allowances. The page also said that if you brought in more than your allowance, as long as you declared the excess, and payable duty was less than $50, they would not charge you.
The system has now changed. Bring in more than your allowance, you have to pay duty on the whole bloody lot!
This is from http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4728
From 1 February 2005, travellers are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty/tax free:
Group 1 - general
A$900 worth of goods (A$450 for people under 18) including gifts (given to you or intended for others), souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment. Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this concession.
These goods can be:
obtained overseas
purchased in Australia duty or tax free before departure
goods for which a tax refund has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme
purchased from an inwards duty free shop on arrival.
Group 2 - alcohol
2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger aged 18 years or over.
Group 3 - tobacco
250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products for each passenger aged 18 years or over. One opened packet containing 25 cigarettes or less is also allowed.
NOTE: HOWEVER, if you exceed any of the concession limits set out above, Customs will charge you duty and tax on the entire importation or purchase within that group of items
************************************************** ******
They are now enforcing this new rule with a vengeance: I was stung with a $120 bill this morning at Brisbane
The system has now changed. Bring in more than your allowance, you have to pay duty on the whole bloody lot!
This is from http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4728
From 1 February 2005, travellers are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty/tax free:
Group 1 - general
A$900 worth of goods (A$450 for people under 18) including gifts (given to you or intended for others), souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment. Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this concession.
These goods can be:
obtained overseas
purchased in Australia duty or tax free before departure
goods for which a tax refund has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme
purchased from an inwards duty free shop on arrival.
Group 2 - alcohol
2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger aged 18 years or over.
Group 3 - tobacco
250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products for each passenger aged 18 years or over. One opened packet containing 25 cigarettes or less is also allowed.
NOTE: HOWEVER, if you exceed any of the concession limits set out above, Customs will charge you duty and tax on the entire importation or purchase within that group of items
************************************************** ******
They are now enforcing this new rule with a vengeance: I was stung with a $120 bill this morning at Brisbane
What is the duty? Is it GST at 10%?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
#3
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Surely they can`t charge for bringing a laptop or similar over... imagine all the businessmen getting done, or the tourists with video camera`s. I think it just means stuff you`ve bought which is brand new on your way to Aus for yourself, family, friends or to sell.
#4
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by Stormz
Surely they can`t charge for bringing a laptop or similar over... imagine all the businessmen getting done, or the tourists with video camera`s. I think it just means stuff you`ve bought which is brand new on your way to Aus for yourself, family, friends or to sell.
#5
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by gajjitt
This could work out quite pricey on migrating into Australia. We intend to bring our two laptops as hand luggage. Including other electrical goods that we would be using for the first few months whilst we wait for our shipping to arrive. Most of our stuff is over 12 months old, my laptop anyway. We are not intending to sell this stuff just use it ourselves.
What is the duty? Is it GST at 10%?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
What is the duty? Is it GST at 10%?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
Paul,
Dont worry. The Duty Free rule applies to new items purchased. Its to stop people travelling outside of your country of origin and purchasing goods cheaper, thus not paying the tax to your local country. If you were to purchase several laptops in Singapore on your way to Aus, then this is breaking the rules. Your own personl laptop is fine.
#6
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
up till 2.5 weeks ago i worked at Sydney airport. Depends on the custom officers on the day, just like everywhere. I can't say they are being over strict with it ( from my experiences of talking with lots of flyers a day)
Flying to Canada I was over my limit, flew with china airlines and they let me go without paying the excess. Just smile be nice and see what happens. Is a risk tho as there is no gaurantee you won't get the one having a bAd day!
Flying to Canada I was over my limit, flew with china airlines and they let me go without paying the excess. Just smile be nice and see what happens. Is a risk tho as there is no gaurantee you won't get the one having a bAd day!
Last edited by Maple Leaf; Mar 4th 2005 at 2:48 pm.
#7
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by gajjitt
This could work out quite pricey on migrating into Australia. We intend to bring our two laptops as hand luggage. Including other electrical goods that we would be using for the first few months whilst we wait for our shipping to arrive. Most of our stuff is over 12 months old, my laptop anyway. We are not intending to sell this stuff just use it ourselves.
What is the duty? Is it GST at 10%?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
What is the duty? Is it GST at 10%?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
#8
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,691
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by Trevglas
They are now enforcing this new rule with a vengeance: I was stung with a $120 bill this morning at Brisbane
#9
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Aus customs are 10x as paranoid as US customs about illegal things and bombs and crap.... most of the packages we send to our parents in Perth get opened and delayed by Aus customs.... bastards. Can`t get any decent coke through to them nowadays.
#10
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by fireeater
I flew into Melbourne on Tuesday and also got stung for $100. And the customs were so vigorous that morning I had to wait for about 45 minutes to an hour queueing just to pay the excess. They hardly let anyone through without some sort of baggage check. Not the sort of thing you need after travelling for about 26 hours....I knew it was tough but hadn't expected it quite so bad.
#11
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,691
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by Sue from Manchester
Hey fireeater, glad to hear you have arrived. How's it goin'?
Check out the Grand Prix to see how nice the weather is here...
#12
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,807
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by fireeater
It's going really good thanks. I'm going to post a thread early next week about some of the mistakes I've made in getting here, but they've all been worth it.
Check out the Grand Prix to see how nice the weather is here...
Check out the Grand Prix to see how nice the weather is here...
#13
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,691
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Originally Posted by Pollyana
The weather's lovely........look, you're in Australia now, no whinging allowed
#14
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
Those of us who like to stock up with clothes, toiletries etc on our visits back to Blighty will be somewhat relieved to read the following extract from the Australian Customs Service Web site:
'Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, and articles for personal hygiene and grooming (but not fur or perfume concentrates) may also be brought into Australia in accompanied baggage free from duty and/or tax.'
Anya.
'Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, and articles for personal hygiene and grooming (but not fur or perfume concentrates) may also be brought into Australia in accompanied baggage free from duty and/or tax.'
Anya.
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Warning: AU customs are now really tight
hi trev
when I worked for qantas i frequently flew in to sydney and always kept to the limits of duty free, but once i was asked to bring in extra bottle of booze back for a coleague. so i just declared the extra bottle to the nice customs man but his reaction was to say "but you are not allowed more than one bottle of spirits"i think cos i didnt try to hide it and actually declared it he just didnt know what to do so just waved me on my way with my extra bottle of JD.i think they expect you not to declare stuff so they can batter you with the extra duties.
tony ex qan
when I worked for qantas i frequently flew in to sydney and always kept to the limits of duty free, but once i was asked to bring in extra bottle of booze back for a coleague. so i just declared the extra bottle to the nice customs man but his reaction was to say "but you are not allowed more than one bottle of spirits"i think cos i didnt try to hide it and actually declared it he just didnt know what to do so just waved me on my way with my extra bottle of JD.i think they expect you not to declare stuff so they can batter you with the extra duties.
tony ex qan