[sharpy]

i've been trying to do a lot of reading on australia. i read some things and then forget where i've read them. then i wonder if i've read right or made a mistake. one thing i remember reading is that australia has an import tax that you need to watch out for when you're shipping goods in a container. the tax people can say that you're importing goods and have to pay tax on them. that seems a bit unreasonable to me so i'm not sure if it's right or not. did anyone here have to pay a tax on what they shipped?

[Cliff]

Your personal belongings are free:

Migrant concessions

As a first-time migrant or returning Australian resident, you are entitled to bring back with you to Australia, duty and GST free, all your personal and household effects that you have owned and used for the whole of the period of 12 months immediately preceding your departure for Australia.

Certain items are expressly excluded from the definition of "personal and household effects" and are subject to other requirements. These include:

* motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts
* caravans, boats and trailers
* aircraft
* machinery, plant and equipment
* and fur apparel.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4224.asp

[PamInPerth]

As long as you have owned your goods for 12 months then there is nothing to pay.:)

[sharpy]

thanks. that's the info i was looking for.

[scotty]

There are import taxes if you bring in your car, but your household effects are tax -free.

[sharpy]

thanks, i'm not planning to bring in my car.