- Oct 26, 2002
- 1,161
- 206
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender; O'Neill Amps; Cave Passive Pedals
This info got buried in another thread, so I thought I'd repost it because there was quite a bit of interest from the Aussies about the process of importing a bass without paying import duty.
The standard tariff listing shows basses as being liable for import duty of 5%, however this is not the case, provided you can quote the correct information. When Maton stopped making electric basses in 1993 the import duty on solid body basses was dropped.
You or your customs broker (or your freight company) need to quote the following Tariff Concession -
TC 9305368
Tariff 9207.90.00
Electric Bass Guitar, solid body
Operative date 23/4/93
Declaration date 1/10/93
This TCO is eligible for Item 50A
http://www.customs.gov.au/resources...ocs/TC 92.pdf
The above Tariff Concession is a customs ruling that overrides the original 5% duty rate.
When talking to your freight company or customs broker (see below), you might need to specifically refer them to the above info, since they will probably just check the standard listing and assume it's 5%.
So, if you are importing a bass into Australia, you don't pay any import duty, however you are still up for the following costs -
* GST: 10% of the total purchase price + shipping cost. You'll need to provide an invoice or receipt so they can calculate this.
* Customs clearance fees: NB. Only required if the total purchase price + shipping is AU$1000 or more. A customs broker will charge around $100 for this. If you ship using Fedex or most other large freight companies they will do the customs clearance paperwork for you, usually for less than a customs broker will charge.
Don't be scared. It's not a complex process - it just sounds complex.
Example A: Bass shipped using EMS international post. Price AU$700 + shipping AU$150. You will receive a card in your letter box telling you to front up to your post office with ID and proof of purchase. You pay AU$85 and they give you the bass.
Example B: Bass shipped using EMS international post. Price AU$1200 + shipping AU$150. You will receive a card in your letter box telling you that because the total value of the "consignment" exceeds $1000, you will need to arrange customs clearance. Look in the Yellow Pages and speak to a customs broker. You fax them the card from Australia Post plus your invoice/receipt. The customs broker will phone you when they've calculated how much you owe (in this case $135 + their fee). You deposit the total into the customs broker's bank account or pay by credit card over the phone, then the customs broker submits the customs clearance electronically. You then go to your local customs office (or post office) and pick up the bass. Getting a customs clearance is a fast same day process, depending on how quick you pay the customs broker.
Example C: Bass shipped using Fedex. Price AU$1200 + shipping AU$150. If you have the tracking number you can view the progress of your bass online. Phone Fedex, quote your tracking number, and they will tell you how much you owe, which will be GST of $135, plus customs processing fees, which will be up to $100. This includes a quarantine fee. You pay Fedex with your credit card over the phone, and they deliver the bass to you overnight.
Any specific questions send me a PM or an email.
The standard tariff listing shows basses as being liable for import duty of 5%, however this is not the case, provided you can quote the correct information. When Maton stopped making electric basses in 1993 the import duty on solid body basses was dropped.
You or your customs broker (or your freight company) need to quote the following Tariff Concession -
TC 9305368
Tariff 9207.90.00
Electric Bass Guitar, solid body
Operative date 23/4/93
Declaration date 1/10/93
This TCO is eligible for Item 50A
http://www.customs.gov.au/resources...ocs/TC 92.pdf
The above Tariff Concession is a customs ruling that overrides the original 5% duty rate.
When talking to your freight company or customs broker (see below), you might need to specifically refer them to the above info, since they will probably just check the standard listing and assume it's 5%.
So, if you are importing a bass into Australia, you don't pay any import duty, however you are still up for the following costs -
* GST: 10% of the total purchase price + shipping cost. You'll need to provide an invoice or receipt so they can calculate this.
* Customs clearance fees: NB. Only required if the total purchase price + shipping is AU$1000 or more. A customs broker will charge around $100 for this. If you ship using Fedex or most other large freight companies they will do the customs clearance paperwork for you, usually for less than a customs broker will charge.
Don't be scared. It's not a complex process - it just sounds complex.
Example A: Bass shipped using EMS international post. Price AU$700 + shipping AU$150. You will receive a card in your letter box telling you to front up to your post office with ID and proof of purchase. You pay AU$85 and they give you the bass.
Example B: Bass shipped using EMS international post. Price AU$1200 + shipping AU$150. You will receive a card in your letter box telling you that because the total value of the "consignment" exceeds $1000, you will need to arrange customs clearance. Look in the Yellow Pages and speak to a customs broker. You fax them the card from Australia Post plus your invoice/receipt. The customs broker will phone you when they've calculated how much you owe (in this case $135 + their fee). You deposit the total into the customs broker's bank account or pay by credit card over the phone, then the customs broker submits the customs clearance electronically. You then go to your local customs office (or post office) and pick up the bass. Getting a customs clearance is a fast same day process, depending on how quick you pay the customs broker.
Example C: Bass shipped using Fedex. Price AU$1200 + shipping AU$150. If you have the tracking number you can view the progress of your bass online. Phone Fedex, quote your tracking number, and they will tell you how much you owe, which will be GST of $135, plus customs processing fees, which will be up to $100. This includes a quarantine fee. You pay Fedex with your credit card over the phone, and they deliver the bass to you overnight.
Any specific questions send me a PM or an email.
