THERE IS NOW AN UPDATE TO THIS POST WHICH DESCRIBES THE HAPPY ENDING: http://courier-spain.co.uk/blog/sending-suitcases-spain-fedex-sequel/
We have had quite a run of sending suitcases to Australia. Not just Australia but to the USA, South America and plenty in the EU, especially to the UK considering the excess charges of the budget airlines. You can see the huge cost savings here http://courier-spain.co.uk/blog/saving-money-sending-luggage-airline-baggage-unaccompanied/
All to the good, I’m sure you feel. But FedEx rejected two suitcases from a customer the other day. He was moving lock-stock-and-barrel to Queensland having closed a business over here. The suitcases were returned 48 hours after collection and we were told that FedEx could not take this type of personal effects.
- Suitcase to Australia
The customer tried again but reclassified the contents as photocopies and paper records. FedEx have just declared the suitcases as undeliverable for the second time.
As the stock image from www.fotosearch.com infers, objects stand out very clearly in the routine X-Ray searches that all international shipments go through. Citibox always give customers the opportunity to study a list of prohibited substances. Australian Customs have been incredibly helpful in providing the following letter, reproduced underneath.
It seems pretty obvious that a courier shipment is subject to the same sort of controls as a personal shipment in an accompanied suitcase. Think twice, dear customers, before shipping something that will be refused.
I would like to say that Australian Customs, in giving me a personalised response within 24 hours, rank as probably THE most efficient public service I have ever encountered worldwide in my varied life and hats off to Michael Baker.
These include goods such as whitegoods, furniture, linen and bedding such as sheets etc, chinaware, glassware, household utensils, sporting goods, electronic goods, fur apparel.
Most personal clothing (excluding fur apparel), footwear and hygiene/grooming articles are not required to meet the owned and used criterion that exists for other goods.
Household and personal goods owned and used for less than 12 months will be assessed for the payment of customs duty and GST. Receipts/invoices will be requested. Depreciation rates apply according to the length of ownership, ie
owned for 1day to 3mths = 20%,
owned for 3mths to 6mths = 40%,
owned for 6mths to 12mths = 60%.
The tax is then assessed on the depreciated value. Goods to which depreciation does not apply are: jewellery (all), watches and clocks, gemstones, bullion, works of art including originals and reproductions.
Exemptions from this concession are : motor vehicles and parts, alcoholic and tobacco products.
These goods are taxed at normal rates.
You will be required to complete an Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement – B534. You can locate this on our website www.customs.gov.au <http://www.customs.gov.au> select media, publications & forms then select Forms.
To clear your personal effects you will be required to present the following
-your passport
-a packing or content list or
-all airfreight or shipping documents
-a completed Unaccompanied Effects Statement B534.
If someone else is clearing the goods on your behalf, they must have a B534 signed and completed by you or a letter of authority signed by you.
Customs does not charge for examination and clearance of personal effects however Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service (AQIS) do charge fees for examination of goods.
Further information can be found at their website: www.aqis.gov.au <http://www.aqis.gov.au> select quick links, emigrating/moving to Australia.
Regards,
Michael Baker
Senior Customs and Border Protection Officer
Customs Information and Support Centre | CE&CS
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Customs House, 10 Cooks River Drive, Mascot NSW 2020
P: 1300 363 263 | F: 02 8339 6713 |
E: information@customs.gov.au
W: www.customs.gov.au
