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Are you Travelling Overseas ? Do you know your duty free allowance
Overseas travelers are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty/tax free. (Note Goods bought overseas or bought duty/tax free before leaving Australia are included when determining your duty free allowance.)
From 1 February 2005, travelers are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty/tax free:
General
A$900 worth of goods (A$450 for people under 18) including gifts (given to you or intended for others), souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment. Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this allowance.
These goods can be:
- obtained overseas
- purchased in Australia duty or tax free before departure
- goods for which a tax refund has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme
- purchased from an inwards duty free shop on arrival.
Alcohol
- 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger aged 18 years or over.
Tobacco
- 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products for each passenger aged 18 years or over.
NOTE HOWEVER that if you exceed any of the concession limits set out above, Customs will charge you duty and tax on the entire importation or purchase within that group of items.
Family members who reside at the same address may pool duty free concessions if travelling together.
Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, and articles for personal hygiene and grooming (but not fur or perfume concentrates) may also be brought into Australia in accompanied baggage free from duty and/or tax.
If you have anything in excess of your duty free allowance:
- declare the goods and provide proof of purchase to Customs for calculation of any duty and tax to be paid.
- Until 1 February 2005, Customs will not collect combined duty and taxes of less than $A50 provided that excess goods are declared.
As soon as the $A50 limit is reached, the passenger must pay the full amount of duty and/or taxes, not just the amount in excess of $A50.
It is important to note there are different rates of duty and tax. You should find out the duty and tax rates of goods before you buy that extra bottle or other items in excess of your duty/tax free concession. If in doubt, contact a Customs office or call 1300 363 263 (Australia only) for information.
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