Freightworks has compiled the following information to help you understand what happens when moving to Australia from UAE and to inform you of the procedures once your shipment arrives at the destination port. The information describes what you can do to help with the smooth clearance of your goods through Customs, so please try and take the time to read the information. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need further clarification of any of the points outlined below – we are always available to help you.

This information is provided without obligation and at the individual’s risk. We accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy of whatever nature.

• Arrival in Australia
• Quarantine Clearance
• Customs Regulations
• Customs Clearance
• Filling in Your Australian Customs Form B534

Our computer system will automatically generate a shipping advice email which will be sent to the email address you supply us with, giving you the name of the vessel your shipment is on, the arrival date into the port, the destination agent and other important details. This notification is usually sent a week after the vessel sails.Our destination agent will contact you before the vessel arrives regarding Quarantine and clearance formalities and to obtain further information from you regarding the access at your delivery point.

On arrival at the port of entry the container will be collected by our agent, taken to their depot and unloaded into their Customs bonded store, where the shipments will undergo Customs and Quarantine clearance. Clearance normally takes 14-21 days, but this time frame can vary during the year. Deliveries to the main metropolitan areas usually take place between 7 and 14 days after clearance. Deliveries to other destinations take a bit longer, but our agents will contact you to make arrangements for a suitable delivery date.

Australia is free of many of the pests and animal or crop diseases which exist in some other countries. In order to ensure that this remains so, and to protect the livestock and agricultural industries, Australia has a government Quarantine Inspection Service. Consequently, all shipments entering Australia are subject to AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service) clearance before they can be delivered to residence.

The costs the Quarantine Inspection Service are approximately AUD$16.50 to AUD$22.00 per cubic metre with a minimum charge of approximately AUD$88.00. Full Container Loads (FCL) are charged at approximately AUD$400.00 to AUD$620.00 depending on the container size. Please note that all fees for services rendered within Australia are subject to GST at 10%. This Quarantine clearance charge is not covered in any invoice you pay here unless you make a specific arrangement with us to prepay the charge in the UAE.

Our agents must make an appointment to have Quarantine Inspection Service officers visit their bond store to inspect and clear each shipment. The Quarantine Inspection Service officers decide which shipments require physical examination based on the contents of the shipment as described on your packing list or inventory and Customs form. Please note that a fee is payable by all consignees for clearance entries and administration whether or not the shipment undergoes physical inspection. It should be noted that this fee does not include the costs of fumigation or steam-cleaning if either is deemed to be necessary.

It is your own responsibility to ensure that you are aware of how current Customs regulations and your own personal circumstances affect the status of your shipment with regard to whether or not you will be liable to pay any duty or taxes on your shipment or certain items in it. If a formal Customs entry has to be made, a fee may be charged for this. If you have dutiable goods in your shipment, you may be asked by Customs to supply documentary evidence (sales receipts, invoices, insurance papers, etc.) to ascertain your ownership of the goods, period of ownership, and their value.

Spring-bladed knives, daggers, swordsticks, knuckle-dusters, paint ball guns, any items manufactured with CFC refrigerant and water hyacinth items are prohibited. There are also restrictions on the importation of firearms (including air, gas, and starting pistols) and all weapons must be declared to Customs. Please note that all gas bottles for diving tanks, gas stoves and barbeques etc. must be free of gas. All dangerous goods are prohibited by sea and air shipments.

If you are importing a motor vehicle please contact our vehicle shipping department for further information.

Your shipment must be cleared through Customs before you can take delivery. In order to clear the shipment you will have to complete a packing list or inventory, provide a copy of your passport photo page and visa page if applicable and an Australian Customs form B534 which we will supply you with. Please fill it in carefully and completely. Incorrectly completed, partially completed or unsigned forms will not be accepted for clearance. Please note that Australian Customs will not accept a PO Box address on your customs forms.

We will forward all these documents to our destination agent in advance of the vessel arriving at the port.

Finally, please feel free to call us or our Australian agents if you require further advice on any aspect of your shipment. We are represented in all the main Australian ports by carefully selected reputable agents who are members of the same Overseas Relocation Associations as ourselves – BAR Overseas;

Filling in your Australian Customs Form B534

Page 1 – ‘Arrived/Intend to arrive in Australia’- This refers to you, and not to your shipment. Even if you are not certain of your arrival date, you must enter an estimated arrival date. If you do not expect to be present in Australia when your goods arrive (*see important information below) you must complete the form here, or you may have to pay a fee for Customs examination.

• Only the owner of the goods should complete and sign the form; all in handwriting – typed answers are not permitted.
• Do not use erasers or correction fluids; if you do make errors or alterations, please initial them.
• You must fill in the relevant boxes with a tick and not a cross
• Take your time and ensure all sections are completed. False or misleading declarations can lead to penalties including the forfeiture of your goods.
• Ensure you have signed and dated the form.

*Important. If you do not expect to be present in Australia when your goods arrive, you should attach to your Customs form a letter addressed ‘To whom it may concern.’ In the letter, you should state when you expect to arrive in Australia, and nominate someone, say a friend or family member to receive the shipment on your behalf. You should also attach a copy of your passport showing the pages with your personal details and signature, and any pages with details of your recent travels. If you are not an Australian citizen, you must also copy the page with your Australian Visa stamp. (For shipments through Melbourne all pages including blank ones must be copied). Without this passport copy, the person whom you have nominated to receive the shipment will have to complete a ‘statutory declaration’ containing all the correct information, and Customs examination of the shipment will be required.

All information on this page is given for guidance only, and although we believe it to be correct at the time of writing, we do not accept any liability for errors, omissions, inaccuracies or misinterpretation. All charges, regulations and procedures are liable to change without notice. This information does not purport to be provided or sanctioned by the Customs Authorities of the country concerned.