Customs brokers

[codemonkey]

Some time in the near future I'm hoping to pick up an Avalon Linear Fast Reverse from overseas, and as this will go over the duty/GST exemption limits, I believe I'll need to engage a customs broker.

Is there any I should avoid? Does anyone have any specific recommendations?

[Hans Tucker]

You only need a customs Broker if you don't want to fill out all the paperwork your self. I have used Customs Brokers in the past without any issues, cost was around $60-$80 at the time.

[codemonkey]

huh... I thought I looked into this a while ago and got the impression that they wouldn't accept paperwork done by just anyone.

Thanks Hans.

[gary]

Hi Lee,

The best answer depends on by which means you plan on importing the
item.

If you were using a courier such as FedEx or UPS, they will clear it for you
and telephone you to debit a credit card for GST and duties.

If you are using post, simply fill out and fax or email an N10.
https://www.border.gov.au/Importingandbuyinggoodsfromoverseas/Documents/b374-importdeclaration-goodn10post_submit.pdf

If you are importing something that requires a pallet on an aircraft or
a fraction of a container, employ the services of a freight forwarder
and they will also act as custom's brokers.

[LewisM]

Been importing firearms for over 15 years now - I do all the paperwork myself, and believe me, it's just a tad more involved than bringing in a regular dutiable item! Having said that, it is not even remotely difficult.

If any dealer etc tells you Customs importation is difficult and overly time consuming, they are not being truthful to you to justify their usually exorbitant fee. There is NOTHING difficult about it - the most cumbersome task is to look up the correct code..all of about 30 secs work. Rest is just ticking boxes and filling them out. Most of my importing days were in the old hand written days, and all forms for a firearm import would take 20 minutes.

So, don't be lazy, do it yourself :) The guys and gals at Brisbane Customs (located near the DFO shopping mall at the airport) are VERY amiable. Never had an issue yet - that's in excess of 500 military collectable firearms

[torana68]

car parts here .... no issues just hate paying tax on stuff that's not sold or made here, Id think about it if the purchase was in some way odd or unusual, not sure what that would be though (and still after an Arisaka stock for those importing such things :) )

[codemonkey]

Awesome, thanks guys! Only thing left is: I've now read that if you do it yourself it'll take 7-10 days for customs to process it, but if you use a broker it'll go through within 24hrs. Any truth to this?

[torana68]

is that what Customs say or what a broker says?

[LewisM]

If I submit via fax or email, I work on a turn-around of no more than 3 days. (QLD Police take MUCH longer doing their end of the import process with their B709A or D approvals taking on average 2 weeks)

[rally]

Your customs broker if they are handling the freight as well as the clearance can often preclear it for you.

FedEx, DHL, UPS etc usually do this - so the goods unless unusual or suspect will often be cleared before they are delivered to the nearest depot. That is how you can get goods delivered from the US in 4-5 days.

In any event they are usually clearing this electronically - so even if they cant start the process until its arrived its all done online from their PCs.

You usually cant do this if its by post - so you have to wait for a letter to appear in the mail from customs - receive it, complete it, send it back, and await them to process it and then send it from Customs to you
So 7-10 days turnaround would be around the mark.
Unless you make a mistake in which case the merry go round goes around one more time !

[codemonkey]

Broker thus why I was suspicious ;-)



Ok cool, thanks Lewis!



Awesome, thanks rally. I've decided to have it shipped via UPS (even though it's going to cost 255eur to do so!), so it looks like I won't have to worry about it afterall.