Antiques
Antiques owned and used 12 months or more prior to shipping forming part of a personal importation of HHGPE by a shipper (who holds a valid Australian Residency Visa) will be subject to duty/tax free importation as for the rest of their HHGPE.
Antiques not owned or used 12 months prior to shipping are subject to duty/tax in same cases as below.
As of February 2013 Australian Customs adopted a different approach in this area, it became obvious that Australian Customs would not process antique shipments without a Certificate of Antiquity issued by a recognised Association or Authority (please refer to Customs fact sheet on Importing Antiques), being one of the following:
– LAPADA certificate (See Below);
– BADA certificate; and or Society of Fine Art Auctioneers.
If we cannot provide a Certificate of Antiquity issued by a recognised Association or Authority, we have two options:
1. Option One: is to pay the general Customs duty rate of 5% Duty plus 10% GST.
2. Option Two: if you cannot obtain the Certificates of Antiquity we could arrange an Antique Verification in Australia. This would be expensive (eg., around $750.00 for the verification of 3 items), there is a time based bill with a minimum of four hours, for these Antique Verifications, which are performed by third party officially Authorised Certifiers.
LAPADA Website: To obtain a Certificate you or your shipper should contact LAPADA (535 Kings Road, London SW10 0SZ, telephone 0207 823 3511, fax 0207 823 3522, email – lapada@lapada.org) who will arrange inspection of the goods before packing and shipping. If the goods are 100 years old or more, LAPADA will supply a Certificate which must be provided to the Customs Authorities at the port of entry.
Clients may import antiques into Australia and the following documentation is required:
Newly purchased Antiques (Owned/Used less than 12 months overseas by Importer)
Commercial Broker entry ($325) will be required together with the following documents:
– Evidence via LAPADA or BADA Certificate that item is more than 100 years old.
– Commercial invoice or Statutory Declaration stating value of goods if invoice not available.
– Invoice must be on supplier letterhead.
– Bill of Lading.
– LCL Packing Declaration (if shipment is LCL) or FCL Packing declaration (if shipment is FCL) must be completed by the packer or supplier of the goods (in English) on their letterhead and must include that packer’s/supplier’s company’s name and address on the letterhead. A sample Packing declaration is available on https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/arrival/clearance-inspection/documentary-requirements/templates
– Cost of Freight and insurance premium paid for marine transit insurance (copy of invoice preferred if possible).
– Copy of consignee passport photo page with signature.
– Further information may be required by Broker based on nature of goods.
– Valuation by Customs Approved Valuer may be requested.
No Duty if customs accept the goods as Antiques.
DUTY FREE/GST 10%PAYABLE ONLY.
See Fact Sheet at https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/importing/how-to-import/types-of-imports/importing-antiques
Antique Firearms
Commercial Broker entry ($325) will be required together with the following documents:
– Evidence via LAPADA or BADA Certificate that item is more than 100 years old.
– Import Permit (Must be obtained prior to shipping).
– NSW Police Force – Firearms Registry B709 Application.
– Customs Firearms Branch may inspect.
– Copy of consignee passport photo page with signature.
DUTY FREE/GST 10% PAYABLE ONLY
Ashes (Pets and Human)
Human ashes may be imported with a copy of the Death Certificate and package is clearly identified on the packing list for each location if required by Customs.
Pet’s ashes may be imported in Personal Effects consignments into Australia however should be accompanied by a Statement from veterinary surgeon. If this is not available, client will need to complete a Statutory Declaration stating they are importing ashes from a deceased pet. Note, the container holding the ashes must be free from contaminants such as soil and the container must not be timber/wood – best be metal and plastic. Nominate clearly on the packing list so it can be located if required.