** [#basic_procedure Basic Procedure]

*** [#for_goods_under__1000_au For goods Under $1000 AU]

*** [#for_goods_over__1000_au For goods Over $1000 AU]

*** [#notes Notes]

Importing anything from overseas (OS) can be a pain in the backside.



It gets to Australia and more often than not, customs picks it up, whacks all sorts of charges on it, and wont let you pick it up till you pay them.



This is a space for us to fill in the rules as we learn them.



!! Basic Procedure

!!! For goods Under $1000 AU



# make sure you have an invoice. %%%

# make sure you have proof of payment (ie; receipt). %%%

# for goods ''under'' $1000 this, with the 'first notice' you receive in the mail, should be all you need. %%%



You will get a notice (mine was Express Mail) from the Airmail transit center. Take it and all you're other 'evidence' along, might get a bit of a wait, but shouldn't be that painful. %%%

You will pay GST on the total value of the Invoice. You may also be charged '''Duty''' depending on the item. GST will also be exempt on some items. %%%(will update when I get details-20020522 tm)



!!! For goods Over $1000 AU



# Follow same points as above. %%%

# Call a Customs Broker. (http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au Find one near you.)



A Customs broker will charge you anywhere between $70-$???. Its worth the cost if the items are even just over $1000.



By all means check out the customs clearance forms, If you have the right information at hand, you may be able to complete it yourself. %%%

(http://www.customs.gov.au/resources/Files/b616gst.pdf The form) I was pointed to (not sure if its 'general')



Other forms (http://www.customs.gov.au/site/index.cfm?nav_id=670&area_id=5 are available.)



Reading through the (http://www.customs.gov.au/ Australian Customs site) can be pretty helpful too.



!!! Notes

* Correctly identify your gear on parcel documentation. They '''DO''' open all packages to check it matches.

* Be aware of '''all''' the costs before publishing prices or making sales.

This one was learned easily on us due to negligible cost, dont let it happen to you.

* '''Use your common sense''', doing silly things in the post is obviously bad.

* Customs fraud is really bad. jail bad.

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More to come..



Please feel free to add your experiences, thoughts or comments. [tm]

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'''Contributors:''' %%%

[JamesHealy James Healy] (hmm... dunno if I'd call what I wrote 'contributing' troy...)%%%

[txrx Troy Mitchell] %%%