Hi,
I have recently moved into Australia with my family and am having my household items being shipped into Sydney, Australia. My question is does anyone know of a good, reliable and cost effective customs agent and delivery to door providers from Port Sydney to my door. Any help, pointers will be really appreciated.
Thanks
Ubhi
Didn't your overseas freight forwarder provide you with a list of their Australian agents?
From which country? Total weight?
Try posting on Britishexpats, http://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/. Tell them where you're importing from and there's a good chance there is a member from your country who has imported personal goods. It's called Britishexpats but anybody who speaks English is more than welcome.
Looks like you need a B534, https://www.border.gov.au/Busi/cargo-support-trade-and-goods…. If the shipper doesn't show a knowledge of the requisite form, find another.
I shipped personal belongings to my daughter in the UK and because the necessary form wasn't included they wanted to charger her VAT! It took quite a few emails/phone calls to get that overturned. Double-check you have the right form and it is completed properly to avoid a headache.
Thanks everyone! I have decided to get the customs clerance done on my own. I will keep you guys posted on how things go.
You're gonna have a bad time either way you go about it due to the fact that you are not a regular shipper.. And the fact that its personal effects..
I would suggest going to any smaller freight forwarder (under 50 employees kinda thing) as they may be less likely to charge you an insane amount of money. If you have a list of everything in the consignment then that also may help you to help them which will ultimately reduce the cost.
All freight forwarders will essentially pay the same amount to do what you need them to do but the larger ones will charge you more because the job really isn't worth their time.