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Buy and Sell Used Climbing Gear Please do not post retail SPAM.

Topic Date User

Importing Climbing Gear from the U.S. 31-Jan-2006 At 4:59:09 PM bordo

Message

Gifts are also still liable for duty:

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4752#2

gifts from overseas

Customs will not collect duty or GST on unsolicited gifts where:

* the consignment value of the included item(s) is $200 or less; or
* in the case of a consignment exceeding that value, on the first $200 of the consignment's value.

This concession does not apply to:

* tobacco products as follows:
o in excess of 250 cigarettes; or
o in excess of 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products;
* alcoholic liquor in excess of 1 litre;
* goods imported by a passenger arriving in Australia from overseas; ? goods imported by a member of the crew of a ship or aircraft arriving from overseas; or
* goods forming part of a bulk order.

To be considered an "unsolicited gift", the documentation accompanying the consignment would have to indicate that it has been sent as a gift to an individual in Australia by or on behalf of an individual outside Australia for a specific event or occasion e.g. birthday, wedding, anniversary, etc.

The $200 concession would apply to the total value of the consignment irrespective of whether the consignment itself contained a number of gifts for more than just the consignee e.g. gifts for a number of family members packed into a single parcel.

Although a formal Customs entry may be used, most imported goods, including gifts, valued at or below $1000, can be cleared on an Informal Clearance Document. If the formal entry is used, a Customs processing charge would apply.

If a courier or broker is used, they will charge for their services. Accordingly, they should be consulted beforehand to find out their costs and charges.

Advice on general duty rates can be obtained from the Customs Information and Support Centre, and this is best done before goods are ordered from overseas.