Help with first proper export to Australia.

[TheSIL]

Hello.
I'm a sole trader working out of a garden shed and I've been asked to send some of my product to Australia. I've shipped out very small amounts before (under £160) and when booking the parcels I have I've always seen the message congratulations your order is under £500 (I think it normally says) so I've never had to worry about any Tax or duties.
This time however I've been asked to ship about £750 worth out with £345 shipping costs.
I now have less then 2 weeks to finish building the products, learn all I need to know and get them to Australia.
I've hit the .gov website and started pouring through the mountains of information but finding the right info could be difficult. Also in my experience you never see the pitfalls until your up to you neck in them.
Does anyone have any advise they can offer especially on the duty and tax side.
I did do a forum search but surprisingly very little was returned (maybe I was asking the wrong questions).

 

[MOIC]

1. Any tax or duties will be for your customer to pay and you should not worry about this.

2. As your are "building the products" ensure you have received at least a 50% deposit before you start the building and ensure the balance is received prior to shipping.

3. If you feel the need to advise your customer of any potential taxes/duties which may need to be paid in Australia, you will probably get the information you need if you Google: Australia imports and regulations.

 

[TheSIL]

Thank you.
That's a relief.
Now all I have to do is work out how to send 6 parcels of 10-11 kg each.

 

[MOIC]

www.parcel2go.co.uk

A good starting point.

Ensure you have a door to door tracking number and ensure your products do not require any certification to clear Australia Customs.

 

[TheSIL]

I've found a courier (not P2G for once) hopefully I'll get a fully traceable code with these.
I'm just about to apply for a EORI. I'm not sure if I really need it even after looking at the .gov website but the freight agent is calling for it as well as a commodity code so I think I've found that. It's a bit hit or miss but I'm sure I'll hear about it if I'm doing something wrong.
Thanks for your help by the way.

 

[TheSIL]

The company I'm shipping to has given me an ABN. Do I need this?

 

[MOIC]

If you are importing or exporting to/from the UK, you will need an EORI number.

You will need to have the details of your shipment to apply.

ABN (Australia Business Number) will speed up the process of customs clearance in Australia, as well as duty and tax payments for your customer.

 

[TheSIL]

O.k thanks
Freight agent hasn't asked for the ABN so I'm not too sure how to use that. Also should I actually book and pay for the freight before finishing the application for the EORI ?
Thanks.

 

[MOIC]

Your customer's ABN should be included on your commercial invoice. It identifies his business details to Australian Customs which will streamline the customs clearance and duty payments for your customer.

Only book and pay AFTER you have received your customer's money.

An EORI application will need the shipment details or reference.

 

[roydmoorian]

The way things are going there will be equivalent paperwork required for any country over the channel........

 

[TheSIL]

I phoned Transglobal this morning to ask about when to put the registration in for the EORI and I was told I don't need an EORI number nor do I need the ABN. She said if I had needed it I wouldn't have been able to move past that point with the order until I had entered the details.
I explained I'm a business and the items had been sold but she insisted the details were not needed but were voluntary.
So if I wasn't confused before I sure as hell am now.