Australian Customs
Duty-free goods allowance
Goods brought into Australia may require the
payment of Customs duty and sales tax*, however travellers are allowed to
bring into Australia the following goods duty and sales tax* free when the
goods accompany the passenger:
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$A400 worth of goods not
including alcohol or tobacco ($A200 for travellers under 18 years of
age). For example, cameras, electronic equipment, perfume concentrate,
leather goods, jewellery, watches, sporting goods, etc.; |
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1125 ml alcoholic liquor
(including wine, beer or spirits) for travellers aged 18 years and over; |
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tobacco: 250 cigarettes, or
250 grams of cigars or tobacco products other than cigarettes, for
travellers aged 18 years and over; |
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most personal items such as
new clothing, footwear, articles for personal hygiene/ grooming; |
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personal goods owned and
used for at least 12 months can also be brought into Australia without
payment of duty and sales tax* (proof of date of purchase may be
required); and |
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goods bought overseas, or
bought duty/sales tax* free before leaving Australia, are included when
determining a duty-free allowance. |
Members of the same family
who are travelling together may combine their individual duty-free
allowances.
Note: Gifts
(given to you or intended for others) are counted as part of the $A400
duty-free allowance.
If you have
anything in excess of your duty-free goods allowance
Declare the goods and provide proof of purchase to
Customs for calculation of any duty and sales tax* to be paid.
Customs will not collect combined duty and sales tax* of less than $A50
provided that excess goods are declared.
For information, contact your local Australian Embassy, High Commission
or Consulate, or phone + 61 2 6275 6666.
Temporary import of goods
Commercial goods brought into Australia with the
intention of being sold will be subject to the normal rates of duty and
sales tax* where applicable.
Goods, commercial or personal, that are brought into Australia to remain
temporarily, may be admitted duty and sales tax* free, subject to certain
conditions.
Carnets may be obtained for temporary duty-free entry of goods such as
commercial samples, jewellery, goods for international exhibitions,
equipment for sporting events, professional television and film equipment
etc. Contact your International Chamber of Commerce for application details.
Goods imported temporarily must meet Australian quarantine requirements.
For more
information on importing goods, contact a Customs officer or an Australian
Embassy, High Commission or Consulate overseas, or refer to the Customs
brochure Customs Information for Importers available at Customs
offices in Australia or at Australian diplomatic posts overseas.
Unaccompanied goods
Unaccompanied baggage does not receive the same
duty/sales tax* concessions as goods you bring with you. These goods may be
subject to duty/tax unless you have both owned and used them for 12 months
or more. This also applies to articles posted to Australia.
For more
information, refer to the Unaccompanied Effects brochure and
Unaccompanied Effects statement available at all Customs offices and
at Australian diplomatic posts overseas.
* Sales tax applied to the purchase of goods until
30 June 2000. It was replaced by a 10% tax on goods and services (GST) from
1 July 2000. |
