How is this service so cheap?
Our service is around 1/3 the price of the general industry standard because we exclusively clear Parcels Post imports arriving via Australia Post.
As such we don't need huge bonded warehouse facilities, quarantine premises, delivery vehicles or vast numbers of imports and exports staff to administer all these operations.
All this means a Faster, Cheaper and Superior service for you.
Do you clear Parcels Post Australia-Wide?
Yes. Another benefit of our exclusive Parcels Post focus is that we can clear consignments arriving anywhere in Australia.
If you have received an arrival notice from Australia Post, regardless of your location, we can clear it through customs and Australia Post will deliver it to your door.
Do you also clear general Air or Sea Freight?
No. We ONLY clear consignments arriving via Australia Post, that's why we can offer such an inexpensive service. You MUST have received an Australia Post Arrival Notice to use our service.
When your goods are shipped from their origin via EMS, USPS (not UPS) or equivalent standard international mail service then you will receive an Australia Post Arrival Notice once your consignment has arrived in Australia.
If you have received either an "Air Waybill" or "Bill of Lading" from your shipper then your consignment has been sent via general Air or Sea Freight and you cannot use our service.
Can I have the goods delivered to a different address?
Yes. All you need to do is call Australia Post on 13 13 18, and advise them of your new delivery address. You will need to provide them with your consignment reference number located at the top of your Australia Post arrival notice.
Can I pickup my goods from Australia Post?
No. Unfortunately due to Australia Post's increased security measures they no longer allow consignees to collect their parcels direct from the Australia Post bonded warehouse. You must wait for the goods to be delivered via Australia Post's regular delivery cycle.
I haven't received your email that my goods are released yet?
At the moment the problem with spam filters blocking mail is very important. So if you have not received a dispatch notification email from us prior to the expiry of your service timeframe, please take the following steps:
Who can I call to discuss the calculation of duty and GST?
You don't need to call anyone. We will always call you to discuss the calculations of all government fees and charges applicable to your consignment before we lodge the entry with Customs. However if you feel it necessary you can contact us prior to clearing your consignment, you can do so via our Free Call 1800 670 978.
What Methods of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, Master Card and American Express. The processing surcharge for Visa and Master Card is 1.1% (1% + GST) and American Express is 3.63%. Unfortunately these credit card processing fees are out of our control, and due to our extremely low professional fees, we are forced to pass them on.
For most clients this fee translates to around $3.00, however if you wish to avoid this charge you can pay by direct deposit which does not attract any additional fees. For a full list of charges you can expect to pay please see What It Costs.
Does Australia Post charge to deliver my goods to my door?
No. The local delivery cost is included in the freight charges you paid originally to send the goods from their origin.
When I email customer service I get an error message?
Please ensure you have entered the correct email address service(AT)auspostcustoms.com.au - You MUST replace the "(AT)" with the "@" symbol first. All email addresses on this website are written with "(AT)" for anit-spam purposes.
How do I know if my goods will arrive via Australia Post?
For your goods to arrive via Australia Post they must have been shipped from your supplier via EMS (Express Mail Service). "EMS" is an internationally recognised term that simply refers to the fastest method of international transport via the exporting countries postal service.
For example: If you instructed your supplier in Japan to send your goods via EMS, they would ship them via Japan Post's Express Mail Service. Upon arrival in Australia your goods would be received and processed via Australia Post. Click here to get an EMS freight quote.
Why use EMS over private companies such as DHL or FedEx?
The Benefits of EMS are many...
It's the Cheapest. Because EMS utilises the exporting countries Postal Service, they send HUGE volumes of freight and therefore receive large discounts from the airlines carrying this freight. These discounts are passed on to you, the consumer. Get an EMS Quote.
It's also the Fastest. Freight sent via EMS is transported on the same commercial freighter aircraft (and it sits beside) freight sent via DHL, FedEx or any other private transport company. Therefore the transit time is exactly the same - but the price is not.
So why would anyone use a private carrier? Until recently customs clearance was very expensive and a valuable "free inclusion". But now with Aus-Express Customs low rates, EMS is fast becoming the preferred international express carrier. All you need to do is upload your documents here and we do the rest. It's that simple..
Will goods under AUD $1,000 be stopped by Customs?
Customs will stop your goods if they meet ANY of the below criteria:
Note: The above is a guide only. Even if your goods do not meet any of the above criteria, Customs still maintains the right to hold and inspect any goods at their discretion.
How is Duty and GST calculated?
Duty is calculated as a percentage of the Customs Value (CV) of the imported goods. Depending on the product, the applicable duty rate can be anywhere from 0% to 10%, however the majority of goods attract a 5% duty rate.
GST is calculated at 10% of the Value of the Taxable Import (VoTI). The VoTI is calculated by the addition of the Customs Value (CV) PLUS the Duty PLUS the value of the International Transport and Insurance (T&I).
An example of how the duty and GST is calculated on goods valued at A$1000 which attract a 5% duty rate would be:
Why do I need to pay GST?
All imported goods are subject to GST regulations in the same manner as any other products you would purchase locally. It's no different to the GST you pay when you purchase a packet of biscuits from your local supermarket, or the GST you pay a mechanic for the service and parts when they repair your car.
What is a “Tariff Classification”?
The tariff classification is an 8 digit reference number and 2 digit statistical code, obtained from the Australian Customs Tariff that identifies the imported item and the rate of Customs duty that applies.
Is Duty and GST payable on used goods?
Yes. The law requires that all goods - whether second hand or new, commercial or private - be subject to the assessment of customs duty and GST and checked for community protection risks.
Duty and/or GST are only collect on imported goods through the post where the value of the goods is above A$1000, OR where the goods include alcohol or tobacco products. Goods valued above A$1000 must be cleared through Customs and Border Protection by completing a formal Customs Entry.
If you have received an Australia Post Arrival Notice stating that customs clearance is required on your consignment then the shipper has already advised customs that your goods meet this criteria.
My goods were a gift, why should I pay anything?
The law requires that all goods, even gifts, over the value of AUD$1000 are subject to the assessment of customs duty and GST and checked for community protection risks.
The previous "gift concession" (by-law number 9740019) was revoked on and from 1 October 2008. However importations up to a value of AUD$1,000 are exempt payment of duty and GST (except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products).
Why has my parcel been stopped by Customs (Border Protection)?
All goods that come into the country are subject to Customs, Border Protection and Quarantine controls. Your parcel is being held by Australia Post awaiting a Customs Entry to be lodged in order to provide more information about these goods to Australian Customs. You may also need to pay customs duty and/or GST before your parcel can be delivered.
My goods are only for private use, do I still have to pay Duty/GST?
Yes. The law requires that all goods - whether second hand or new, commercial or private - be subject to the assessment of customs duty and GST and checked for community protection risks.
Duty and/or GST are only collected on imported goods where the value of the goods is above A$1000, OR where the goods include alcohol or tobacco products. Goods valued above A$1000 must be cleared through Customs and Border Protection by completing a formal Customs Entry.
If you have received an Australia Post Arrival Notice stating that customs clearance is required on your consignment then the shipper has already advised customs that your goods meet this criteria.
Do I need to provide my ABN if the goods are for my personal use?
No. You only need to provide your ABN if the goods are for use by your business and you wish to claim input tax credits on your BAS for the GST you pay upon importation.
What is the duty rate for Alcohol and Tobacco?
The duty rates for alcohol varies depending on its exact specifications, however to give you a general idea most Wines and Spirits attract a duty rate of 5% of the value of the goods PLUS $69.57 per litre of alcohol content and most Beers made from malt attract a duty rate of $41.06 per litre or alcohol content by which it exceeds 1.15%.
Note: In addition to duty and GST, most wines also attract Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) which is calculated at 29% of [the customs value (CV) PLUS the duty PLUS the Transport and Insurance (T&I)].
Tobacco duty rates also vary but again to give you an idea, the most common rate is $415.86/kg of tobacco content.
Wine Calculation Example: The duty payable on a 700ml bottle of Wine valued at $100 which has an alcohol content of 13.5% would be calculated as follows:
Beer Calculation Example: The duty payable on a Carton of 24 x 375ml bottles of Beer valued at $50 which has an alcohol content of 4.9% would be calculated as follows:
How is the Customs Value (CV) calculated?
The Customs value of goods imported into Australia is based on the value of the goods as determined by the importers commercial invoice.
When the goods are valued at more than AUD$1000 threshold, or include alcohol or tobacco products of any value, a Customs value will be determined which is used as the basis for calculating the value of any duty and/or GST.
The Customs value is combined with other items (customs duty, international transport and insurance costs and, where applicable, Wine Equalisation Tax) to produce the value of the taxable importation (VoTI). The Customs value is equivalent to the Australian currency purchase price of the goods.