Immigration Australia

PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR IMMIGRATION INTO AUSTRALIA

• Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement (B534)
• “How Personal Effects Arrive” section – to be completed by shipping agent.
• Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement – Instructions for completion
• Passport – All pages scanned / photocopied
• Visa (if applicable) – scanned / photocopied
• Fridge or Freezer Details for Customs Clearance Form – SEE – CFC FRIDGE/FREEZER CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• Inventory Sheet

Shipping Container Fumigation Costs Australia

Personal Effects and household goods are usually admitted free into Australia, provided they are for your own use. Shipping to Australia has strict quarantine regulations and all shipments will be inspected for soil, plants and food, particularly on garden tools, shoes, sports goods and vacuum cleaners.

Please note that all consignments will be examined. Clients will be charged in accordance with the time taken to carry out this process. Where fumigation or cleaning is required, there will be an additional cost. If any item or consignment has to be destroyed, the client will also be charged for the process to take place.

Approximate Indication of Quarantine charges to be paid:
20ft        Full Container Load         AUD $400.00      =        approx £193.00 GB
40ft        Full Container Load         AUD $720.00      =        approx £348.00 GB

shared container charges for quarantine / fumigation is calculated at approx AUD $15.00 / GB £7.24 per cubic meter, with a minimum charge of AUD $150.00 / £72.40 GB.

All costs are subject to 10{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} GST (GST is the Australian equivalent to British VAT 17.5{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a})
(1 cubic meter = 35 cubic feet – approx)

ANIMALS / PETS

DOGS AND CATS

Dogs and cats can be brought into Australia from UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Hawaii, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Norfolk Island under certain conditions. Dogs and cats must have been resident in any of the approved countries above for at least 6 months (or from birth), and during that 6 month period preceding export, they must not have been in quarantine kennels in the country of export. In all cases, a quarantine permit must be obtained before a cat or dog will be permitted to enter Australia.

Stages to be completed: 
Ensure your cat or dog has a microchip
Apply for a permit to import
Acquire an AQIS permit to import
Book quarantine accommodation
Locate an official government veterinarian, a government approved veterinarian and a government approved laboratory in the AQIS approved country of export.
Make travel arrangements for your cat or dog
Ensure general vaccinations are issued – obtain proof of inoculations
Internal and external parasite treatment
General eligibility check
Completion of Veterinary Certificate A, Including pre-export inspection
Completion of Veterinary Certificate B, sealing animal in the shipping container
Check pet-in with the airline
COMPLETE AQIS FORMS – SEE AUSTRALIA ANIMAL IMPORT DOCUMENTATION

BIRDS
Birds are prohibited animals for import into Australia and will be destroyed upon arrival.

VEHICLES
MOTOR VEHICLES
All motor vehicles are subject to customs duty and sales tax, plus they are subject to alteration without notice by Australian Customs. Customs assessed value of vehicle is based on depreciation at 5{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} of value for first month owned, then at 1{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} for every month thereafter, with a maximum depreciation of 76{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a}. 6 years ownership and use.

Vehicle owner must be in Australia and contactable prior to arrival of shipment, as certain customs formalities must be completed prior to permission being granted by the Australian Customs Department for the shipping container to be moved from the wharf. If the vehicle owner is not in Australia, or not contactable prior to arrival of shipment, the container may be bonded at the wharf and the owner will incur demurrage and storage costs.

The vehicle owner must apply in writing and obtain a “Vehicle Import Approval” prior to shipping a vehicle. The VSSB (Vehicle Safety Standards Branch) indicates that you should allow at least seventeen (17) days for processing of applications and you should not ship your vehicle until you have received your approval.

The importation of vehicles to Australia has many rules and regulations:
Customer must have owned and used the auto for at least twelve months prior to import.
All motor vehicles require an Import Permit from Federal Office of Road Safety before vehicle is shipped.

Customs requires a formal “Entry” to be logged to import a vehicle. Formal Entry means; The         Customer is in the  country of destination, Customer has completed B357 Form, Customer has submitted purchase documents, registration papers and paid duty and sales tax.

Vehicle must have been steam cleaned and inside vacuumed before departure to Australia.
Vehicles are subject to sales tax and very high import duties.

Quarantine authorities will inspect the vehicle on arrival – Charges may be incurred for extra cleaning on arrival.

Vehicles must meet minimum safety and emission standards and be right-hand drive, (if not, modifications must be made in Australia) Left-Hand drive vehicles subject to temporary permit from department of Road Safety.

Motorcycles/scooters being imported by first time immigrants are free of duty and sales tax, and those being imported by returning residents are free of duty, but do incur sales tax. Motor vehicles over 15 years old can be registered without a compliance plate.

Stages to be completed:
Obtain a “VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL” from the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

Pay customs duty, goods and services tax (GST) and, where applicable, Luxury Car Tax (LCT), and obtain a customs clearance at the port of entry.

Obtain quarantine clearance from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service after the vehicle has arrived at the port of entry. For more information visit: www.agriculture.gov.au/travelling

For more information: Phone: 1800 815 272 (Australia only) or (02) 6274 7506, Fax: (02) 6274 6013, email: Vimports@dotars.gov.au

Forms required
Customs Form B357
Copy of Passport
Registration Documents (V5C)
Service and Log Book
Police Report
Certificate of Steam Cleaning
Insurance Policy
Drivers License
Sales Invoice
Paid Receipt
Car Condition Report
Vehicle Import Approval – See AUSTRALIA – APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL TO IMPORT A VEHICLE
Authorization from Federal Office of Road Safety
Clearance from the Australian Quarantine Service

DOTARS (DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT)
SEE AUSTRALIA – APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL TO IMPORT A VEHICLE
All vehicle imports require a Motor Vehicle Import Approval from the Department of Transport. This will involve sending off an “Application for Vehicle Import Approval” form, along with your cheque or money order for AUD$50 to:

Please note: You should never send cash through the post. Send either a cheque or money order (which must be in Australian Dollars) instead. Also note that any motorised vehicle, be they for childrens’ use or for use by an invalid person, also require DOTARS approval. Off-road vehicles are NOT exempt from DOTARS regulations.

The Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, which is administered by the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch, came into effect on 1 August 1989. Under this legislation it is an offence to import any new or second-hand vehicle unless:

• it meets the safety and emissions standards applying to vehicles to be used on Australian roads, or
• arrangements are in place to modify the vehicle to meet these requirements after its arrival in Australia.

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

Once the vehicle has arrived in Australia and you have your Motor Vehicle Import Approval back from Canberra , a Customs Clearance must be gained. This can be done either through a Customs Broker or by you personally.

If you choose to do the clearance yourself, you will need to assemble the documents listed above, and take them to the Customs House. There you will be required to fill out a Nature 10 “Import Declaration” form and lodge it, along with your documents. This lodgment (from the 1st April 1997) will incur a fee of approx AUD $117.00 (£56.73 approx).

The initial minimum waiting period for the processing of manual entries is 24 hours. This declaration has been processed, you will have to pay any duty and GST owing to gain your clearance. The whole process of Customs clearing your vehicle yourself can involve several days and multiple visits to Customs house.

Please be aware: Once your vehicle arrives in Australia, you will only have 3 days to complete the Customs and Quarantine clearance formalities and move your vehicle off the wharf before storage costs will be incurred. These can cost anything up to AUD$100- $250 per day (£48.49 – £121.22 approx).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

• The Customs B357 Form “Vehicle Imported By A Passenger” (for pre 1998 purchases only)
• The Sales Invoice / Receipt for Vehicle Purchase
• The Original Bill of Lading  or Sea Waybill (the sea freight document)
• A Photocopy of your Passport – photo page and visa page (if applicable)
• The Overseas Vehicle Registration Form
• Import Approval from the Department of Transport & Regional Services (DOTARS) (the DOTARS permit as mentioned above)
• Keys to any locked items in the Vehicle or Container (Eg Toolbox, Suitcase etc.)
• Any other relevant information (Vehicle wheel nut lock keys or security device details etc)

Note: In addition to the Sales Invoice, Australian Customs are now sometimes asking for the following documents:

• Copy of Motor Vehicle Advertisement (if advertised),
• Copy of Bank Statement (or Visa Statement) or similar,
• Copy of Insurance Cover Note/Policy,
• Copy of any other foreign Passport (if relevant).
• The ORIGINAL Import Permit as issued by the DOTARS

ACTUAL evidence of the amount of monies paid, by whom, and to whom, must be provided if a straightforward clearance is to be expected. Having a sellers invoice/receipt is NOT sufficient.
If you have any Personal or Household effects in the Vehicle or Container, you will also require:

• A Full list of Contents of any Personal / Household effects in Vehicle or Container
• The Customs Form B534 “Unaccompanied Effects Statement”

CALCULATION OF CUSTOMS TAX / GST / LCT – (APPRPOXIMATION)

All motor vehicles are subject to customs duty and/or GST.

Customs duty will be calculated on the Customs Value of the vehicle and GST will be payable on the Value of the Taxable Importation (VoTI). The Customs Value is normally calculated on the following basis:

• If the vehicle was purchased prior to 2nd March 1998, take the purchase price of the vehicle, and add the value of any modification or improvement work done on the vehicle. From the resulting figure deduct depreciation, which will be calculated on the basis of 5{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} for the first completed calendar month of ownership and use, and 1{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} for each subsequent completed calendar month of ownership and use up to a maximum of 76{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} (i.e. 6years ownership and use).
• The resultant figure is then converted to Australian Dollars utilising the official Customs rate of exchange on the date of export.
• If the vehicle was purchased after 2nd March 1998, take the purchase price of the vehicle, and add the value of any modification or improvement work done on the vehicle.
• The resultant figure is then converted to Australian Dollars utilising the official Customs rate of exchange on the date of export.

The VoTI is calculated on the basis of the Customs Value. Plus the Customs Duty at the appropriate rate, plus the international transport and insurance cost. The GST (10{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a}) is charged on the resultant figure. In addition there is a Luxury Car Tax (LCT) applicable if the resultant VoTI exceeds a certain level. Currently the threshold level is AUD$57,009.00. Luxury Car Tax is applied at a rate of 25{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} on the GST exclusive value in excess of the threshold level.

The current rates of duty applicable are as follows:
• Passenger vehicles less than 30 years(new or used):
• Customs Duty @ 15{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a}.
• Customs GST @ 10{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} + LCT if applicable.
• Passenger vehicles of 30 years or more:
• Customs Duty none.
• GST @ 10{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} + LCT if applicable.
• Other vehicles (including “off road” 4 wheel drives):
• Customs Duty @ 5{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a}.
• GST @ 10{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} + LCT if applicable.
• Campervans & Mobile Homes:
• Customs Duty @ 15{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a}. GST @ 10{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} + LCT if applicable.
• Motor Cycles
• Customs Duty None. GST @ 10{354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a}. LCT None.

The most current information is available from the Australian Customs Service website.

VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA

You may import an Australian manufactured motor vehicle or a motorcycle without paying Customs duty on it, providing you have owned and used the vehicle overseas and there are no outstanding Australian duties, taxes or charges owing on it.

However, you will be required to pay GST and, where applicable, LCT on the vehicle if no GST or applicable LCT was paid when the vehicle was originally exported from Australia.

QUARANTINE

To prevent the entry of diseases, noxious weeds and insect pests into Australia, Quarantine authorities inspect all vehicles on arrival and may require them to be properly cleaned. This is usually affected by steam cleaning. You should remove all soil and any other matter from your vehicle (including the underside) prior to exportation to Australia. Once your vehicle arrives, the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) must be notified, and your vehicle will have to be cleared by them as well. This will involve an inspection by an AQIS officer, steam cleaning of the vehicle if they so order (and they usually do!), and re-inspection.  You can expect to pay approximately:

• AUD$197 (£95.52 approx) (minimum) for the Inspections
• AUD$95 (£46.06 approx) for the Steam Cleaning plus the cost of transport to cleaning, plus GST

REGISTRATION

Once you have obtained the DOTRS permits, Customs has cleared your vehicle, you’ve paid your Duty and GST and AQIS has given you the nod, are you all free to go? Not quite.

To move your vehicle from its unpack station, you will have to tow it, which will cost approximately AUD$100, or drive it away. To drive the vehicle, you will need a temporary permit from a Transport Licensing Center. This will cost AUD$12.55 and you will be required to present your vehicle’s country of origin Registration document (eg: the V5 form for cars from the UK).

This permit will allow you to drive the vehicle in daylight hours between nominated places, usually the business’ you have chosen to perform any repairs and/or alterations, and the Transport Inspection Centre where you intend to finally register you vehicle.

Before putting your vehicle in for Transport Inspection, you may need to:

• Check that there are three 5/16 UNF fittings in the rear parcel shelf for ‘child seat’ restraints.
• Ensure the car is fully road worthy, with all safety related components operational.

Once your car is finally registered – smile! You are free to drive away.
Please note: the above is intended for information only, and changes to law may affect this procedure.

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES FOR IMPORTING VEHICLES INTO AUSTRALIA – BELOW

ALCOHOL

ALCOHOL LIQUOR / SPIRITS / WINE / BEER

Please complete a separate inventory of all alcohol imported in a consignment of personal/household effects with your name and signature on it, stating the brand name of the wine/liqueur, it’s type, the number of bottles imported, millilitres per bottle, the alcoholic content {354d82be4e2e7fa3dd0fe7a68520784a9bab183152b2dd4b36ea9480cb2a4d8a} of each bottle, country of origin, value per bottle and total value of all alcohol imported in Australian Dollars.

To assist you in this process, SEE – AUSTRALIA ALCOHOL DECLARATION INVENTORY

Taxes/GST are applicable regardless, unless you can prove that the alcohol was previously exported from Australia (the previous original export packing inventory, copy purchase receipts or credit card debit statement, alcohol listing (when originally exported) and a copy Bill of Lading will be required by Australia Customs as proof of their original export from Australia).

This alcohol declaration should be attached to the Customs declaration form B534.

Below is an indication of the charges that can be incurred when moving alcohol into Australia, Beers / Wines / Spirits and Liquors. These rates are not exact, it is worth checking with the Australian Customs Office for up to date rates.