MOVING TO AUSTRALIA
Furniture and household effects which the shipper (and his/her family) have owned and used for at least 12 months or more preceding the shippers move to Australia will normally qualify for duty free admittance under the concessional allowance. Any new goods or goods not owned and used by the shipper for 12 months or less, will be subject to customs duty and sales tax. Purchase receipts may have to be supplied by the shipper to facilitate customs clearance.
Fire Arms and Weapons
The importation of certain types of weapons is prohibited. The importation of fire arms and ammunition is restricted and must be declared. Release is subject to approval by the police.
Quarantine
Australia is free of many of the world's worst animal and vegetable pests and diseases. Quarantine regulations are very strict and you should not include in a shipment food of any kind, plants or parts of plants, animals or animal products, equipment used with horses or other animals, biological Specimens or soil.
Motor Vehicles
Under the new regulations, a privately owned motor vehicle can no longer qualify for duty free admission. All motor cars entering the country are subject to duty and sales tax. Taxes and duties are assessed based upon a formula taking into consideration the purchase price, age, and length of ownership. Combined taxes and duty can vary from 16% to 100%. The only vehicles allowed in duty free are those cars which were originally exported from Australia by the importer, or members of Diplomatic Missions. It is advisable for the shipper to make inquiries with the customs representative at the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate for further details. All motor vehicles imported into Australia must comply with Australian design rules and left hand drive vehicles in most cases can not be registered in Australia. It is necessary for the owner of a motor vehicle to be available in Australia at least five working days prior to the arrival of the vehicle to complete customs formalities and the owner would have to produce his/her passport, vehicle registration papers or log book, purchase receipt and insurance documents.