Australian Customs Regulations

Australian Customs Regulations : Prohibited & Restricted Items

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 OMNI agent, before shipping, as they may be prohibited.

Australian Customs Regulations : New Quarantine Regulations

Please note that the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) will implement the full requirements of ISPM15 on all consignments arriving into Australia as from January 1St 2006.

From that time all solid timber packaging and dunnage will be required to be compliant with ISPM15 and accordingly be treated and stamped and compliant.

Non compliant timber arriving into Australia after that date will be subject to treatment, destruction or re-export at the importers expense.

Australian Customs Regulations : Changed Cargo Reporting Requirements

With effect from 13 January 2005, all cargo intended to be landed at any port or airport in Australia must be reported before the ship or aircraft arrives at its first Australian port or airport.

The current requirement to report cargo before the port or airport at which it will be landed is being changed by the Customs Legislation Amendment (Airports, Ports and Cargo Security) Act 2004 (the amending Act).

The amending Act will also allow the minimum periods for lodging impending arrival, cargo and passenger reports for ships to be prescribed by regulation. For the time being, the current reporting periods of at least:

• 48 hours before arrival for voyages likely to take 48 hours or more; and
• 24 hours before arrival for voyages likely to take less than 48 hours

will be maintained by regulations which will apply from 13 January 2005.

Transitional measures for ships arriving on or after 13 January 2005 will continue the old cargo reporting requirements where partial reports have been, or were required to be, communicated before that date.

The new requirement to report all cargo before the first port or airport will apply in all other circumstances from 13 January 2005.

As indicated when the legislation was introduced into Parliament, these amendments reflect the changing nature of the international trade environment, and provide the flexibility to respond more promptly to security issues.

Inquiries about this notice may be directed to the Manager, Cargo Reporting Policy on (02) 6275 6758 or the Manager, Legislation and Development on (02) 6245 5977 or faxed to (02) 6245 5446.

Philomena Carnell
National Manager
Cargo Branch
CANBERRA ACT

Australian Customs Regulations : Household Goods & 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.

Australian Customs Regulations : Import of CFC Refrigerant and other precharged systems

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
or your OMNI partner at port of entry.

IMPORTATION OF CFC REFRIGERANTS/EQUIPMENT 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

The Australian Customs Fact Sheet can be accessed on their website at

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/FS_Ozone040819.pdf

Australian Customs Regulations : 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 OMNI agent 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 OMNI agent prior to arrival of the shipment.

Australian Customs Regulations : 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.

Australian Customs Regulations : 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 OMNI agent at the port of entry into Australia prior to shipment.

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.