Australia Customs for Movers and Moving customers with Household Goods

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
Australia Customs require Every Household Goods moving shipment owners to complete a Customs form (B534). Unaccompanied Baggage Statement must be signed and completed by the owner of the goods to clear the moving 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 Australia Customs. Original passport may be required by Australia Customs for customs clearance of Car. It is preferable that the completed Australia Customs declaration, passport copies and inventory are attached to shipping documents and received by your moving company prior to arrival of the moving shipment.

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS
Drugs of dependence, like narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, and tranquillisers must be declared to Australia Customs which should not be included in any moving 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 to 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 Household goods entering into Australia are subject to Customs inspection before 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.

Dogs - dangerous breeds (prohibited import)
Dogs of the following breeds - dog Argentino; fila Brasileiro; Japanese tosa; American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier; Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.
The prohibition also covers advertising matter relating to the breeds.
Imports are not allowed under any circumstances.

Drugs and narcotics (restricted import)
Drugs being chemicals and compounds as listed in Schedule 4 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations. This includes
• isomers or mixture of isomers of a controlled chemicals or compounds;
• a derivative of a controlled chemical or compound, including isomers and mixtures of isomers;
• substances or things that contain controlled chemical/s or compound/s, including isomers and mixtures of isomers, and derivatives; or
• other chemicals and compounds that are an immediate precursor to a controlled chemical or compound.

Exemption
Passengers arriving on board a ship or aircraft do not need a permit if:
• the drug is required for their own medical treatment or the treatment of another passenger or animal under their care; AND
• has been prescribed by a medical practitioner or veterinarian and the original prescription is presented upon arrival; AND
• the amount of drug/s does not exceed three (3) months supply at the maximum prescribed dosage.
If the prescription is not in English, then a version translated into English must also be presented. The exemption only applies to drugs carried in the passenger's accompanied baggage.
Passengers aged 18 years or more do not need a permit to import kava if:
• the kava is in either root or dried form;
• the amount of kava does not exceed 2 kilograms; and
• the kava is carried in the passenger's accompanied baggage.
These exemptions apply only to passengers. Any amount of controlled drugs imported by other means such as post or air cargo require a permit.

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 moving shipment to Australia. This includes air-conditioning units in motor vehicles (usually those built before 1996).
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.

QUARANTINE
Australia is fortunate, indeed unique, in its freedom from many diseases of humans, animals and plants, which affect other parts of the world.
Quarantine regulations are strict because Australia depends upon primary industries such as livestock and agriculture. Check with your Moving Company 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.

WARNING: Making a false or misleading statement to the Australia Customs is an offence and may involve heavy penalties. Drug trafficking is against the law and severe penalties apply.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for general guidance and all mymovingguide.com users are allowed to reproduce this information. Mymovingguide cannot however take responsibility for any errors, additions and omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. As such it is advisable to contact the nearest customs office or the moving company you select for your move to Australia for full and current information prior to importation/relocation at: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4369