BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experience

[leightonleighton]

Hi,

Could anyone share their experience regarding shipment of items from BGD or any stores which ships to Australia. I got several questions regarding the shipment process including customs clearance, related paperworks:

1. Which documents from the vendor like BGD should be included in the shipment to avail the exemption for duties as per AUSFTA?
2. Normally, do I need to tell the vendor that I wOuld like to avail this exemption.
3. After they shipped the item and informed me about the tracking/item number, do I need to contact the local fedex/ups offfice here?andmentioned about AUSFTA well? Is their any paperwork that in I need to fill out and submit?

3. Whats the method of payment for the fees associated with the shipment?
4. How long does it normally takes for the customs clearance here in Australia?

Could anyone share the procedure?

Thanks


Cheers

 

[justginger]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

If you search "AUSFTA AJ" on the Pricescope search feature, I think you'll probably find just about everything you need to know. This information has been gone over a few times, especially by Arjunajane (AJ), so I am guessing all of your answers will be found in those old threads...and perhaps information you hadn't even thought of yet.

I do personally know the answer to question 5 though - how long is a piece of string? Customs can take a few days for one person, and a few weeks for another. It's always a surprise!

 

[Dandi]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

Hi leighton! I have purchased from BGD, Whiteflash and ID Jewelry (I live near Melbourne). Make sure you mention to the vendor before your jewellery is shipped, that the AUSFTA paperwork must be included amongst their stuff. I think it's just a form that goes on top of the box mentioning that you are exempt from paying the 5% duty, from memory. However a couple of times this was missed with my packages, and I had to pay 5% duty, 10% GST and the customs fee (about $55 I think) for the shipment to be released from customs in Sydney. I then had to fill out the relevant paperwork and post it to customs to get the refund for the 5% duty, which was actually quite straightforward.

Here is a snippet from this thread [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-ring-ausfta.130164/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-ring-ausfta.130164/page-3[/URL] -
- by our lovely arjunajane, who did a fantastic job informing us all how to go about this process. You only need to do this IF you are charged 5% duty, for whatever reason.

I would like to state up-front this should be used as a guide only, *please* ensure your purchase qualifies under the relevant customs policies by reading through the research and discussions earlier in this thread, and make sure your vendor is able to provide you the proof you will require.

If you are unsure whether your purchase qualifies, you should contact the Australian Customs'' dedicated refund centre on(03)9244 8054 or email address: [email protected].

To start, you will need the following Customs forms, which can be downloaded from http://www.customs.gov.au/ (I usually just plug the form # into the search function):

B653 - Refund Application
B650 - Import Declaration

You will need your original import declaration to help you fill out the forms - you would have received this from FedEx with your package (looks a bit like an invoice)

Step 1: B653, fill out all the fields as follows:
- your declaration ID and owner ID can be found on your import declaration.
- leave owner reference blank.
- owner name is your name.
- "Have the goods been dealt with in accordance...." - tick yes.
- "Are you entitled to a refund of GST..." - tick yes.

For the statement explaining why a refund is being sought, write something referring to qualifying for AUS-US FTA preferential tariff rates, but failed to apply at the time of import.

- The refund reason type is "E" - "manifest error of fact or patent misconception of law". (basically just means mistake, lol)..
- "Has a duty drawback been claimed?" - tick no.

- and of course, fill out your personal and banking details.

Customs won''t update you on how your claim is going - if you are successful, after 30 days the refund will just show up in your account.

Step 2: B650

You''ll notice on the refund form it says "Important - you MUST attach to this application a new declaration on which you have indicated what changes are to be made to your import declaration by completing ONLY the fields that have changed".

So, although B650 is 3 pages long - Don''t re-fill the whole thing. You are only concerned with the last page, specifically Section C : Tariff Details. Fill out as follows:

- Origin Country is - "US"
- Preference origin country is - "US"
- Preference Scheme type is - "US"
- Preference Rule type - now this one *could* change, depending on what it is you are claiming for. However, 99% of the time it is going to be "PS". **
This is all you need to complete for this form.

** This relates to statement of rules of origin. Rule type PS means : "goods (except clothing and textiles) produced entirely in the US from non-originating materials. Relates to goods made in the US from US materials and materials from other countries"

This rule clearly applies to the majority of our purchases, as they are manufactured in the US but most often contain precious gems and metals that may or may not come from the US.

I would like to state here to please ensure you select the correct rule type for your purchase; if you''re unclear, speak to your vendor or the customs refund centre.

ETA: My refund the two times that I was charged duty was in my account about 30 days later. Every piece I have had entered customs one day, I was contacted via telephone and informed of the charges the next day, paid them over the phone with my credit card, and always had my jewellery the very next day. Good luck!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

I have had a couple of different experiences with FedEx and the Ausfta. I honestly believe it is luck of the draw whether it works out in your favour, but it does help to prepare the best you can.

To answer your questions...

1 and 2. Just mention to BGD that you want to take advantage of the AUSFTA and they will provide all of the necessary documentation. BGD are well rehearsed in this process so you shouldn't need to instruct them on what you will need.
Ask Leslie to email you the commercial invoice and AUSFTA paperwork just in case you do run into any problems with FedEx. (it's happened every time I've shipped something in for one reason or another).
Also ask if they could put on the actual package "AUSFTA PAPERWORK INCLUDED" in bold letters. The last time I had problems a FEDEX employee suggested I have it written on the box because sometimes they don't look at the documents like they are supposed to.

3. I personally would call FedEx when the package is in transit to alert them of the AUSFTA paperwork that is accompanying the package. On one occasion this worked in my favour and they processed the paperwork accordingly and I only paid the 10% GST. The next time it didn't make an ounce of difference and I was chaged duty as well.

4. Once the paperwork has been processed you will receive a phone call from FEDEX to say that you owe taxes and you can pay this over the phone with your CC. I'm impatient though and as soon as I see my package is being held by customs I phone FEDEX and ask to pay the fees so I can get the process moving again.

5. In my experience, depending on when the package lands it usually only takes about a day to clear. Again, I am impatient and I put a hold on the delivery as soon as ive paid the taxes so I can go and collect the package on the same day, otherwise I'd have to wait until the next day for it to be delivered.

Please keep in mind that these are only my experiences and that everyone's seem to be different. My last package I did everything right and they chose to ignore the paperwork and charged me the full tax even though it was written on the box in bright red letters and I phoned through to warn them before it landed. I think they do it on purpose and rely on people not making a claim for a refund so they can pocket the extra money. ( and it's working because I still haven't put my refund claim in!)

There is a great thread floating about on the AUSFTA. You will find heaps more information there.

Good luck!

ETA justginger has given you the thread I was thinking of.
DandiAndi thanks for posting those instructions! I really need to get onto that!

 

[leightonleighton]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

Thanks for all your reply! Very helpful and informative!

 

[bstrong999]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

Hey guys,

can any fellow aussies tell me how long shipping from US via fedex usually takes from experience?

I want to purchase a diamond but est ship date is 30/08/12 but I need the stone by 5/09/12 or possibly 06/09/12 at the very latest. Maybe post some time frames including customs clearance?

I am in Canberra but the stone is being set in Sydney so can pick it up there if it is normally quicker!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[justginger]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

Unless you pay exorbitant, expedited shipping, I can't imagine it will arrive in time. Even shipped overnight, getting it through customs in that time would be miraculous. I've had relatively low value items take longer than 2 weeks to clear customs. I don't think this time frame is realistic.

 

[Lee Little]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

I ship jewelry to Australia regularly to a number of different clients, I understand it is duty free under $800, however, I pack in envelopes with a box inside and have never had one of my packages opened or evaluated by customs as far as I know. I ship from Thailand and use registered mail and Express Mail Service. The registered mail does not require any customs declaration and generally sails right thru. Express requires a declaration, if it is silver jewelry then I mention the silver, if it is gold jewelry then I mention the gemstones rather than the metal. Best regards, Lee

 

[bstrong999]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

Unless you pay exorbitant, expedited shipping, I can't imagine it will arrive in time. Even shipped overnight, getting it through customs in that time would be miraculous. I've had relatively low value items take longer than 2 weeks to clear customs. I don't think this time frame is realistic.

Oh no, you have me really worried now. I went ahead and ordered through B2C Jewels as they confirmed and assured me that I would definitely receive the stone in time! I did pay for shipping (FedEx International Priority) and would have paid more to have it expedited faster but there was no option.

I really hope I get this on time as the weekend has been planned and booked for

Can I call FedEx as soon as I get a tracking number to provide my credit card details so it doesn't get stuck in customs?

 

[melave]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

HI Bstrong

Thats what i did. I tracked it until it got into Australia and then rang Fedex as soon as i could and got all the tax and fees paid. I think it took less than a week to get to aus, i paid as soon as i saw it hit customs, then it took a while after that to get to me. I live in remote WA though so everything takes longer to get to me.

Maybe ring fedex as soon as you see it get into australia.

 

[justginger]

Re: BGD (or any store) shipment to Australia, AUSFTA, experi

Like I said, getting the stone to Oz and customs cleared in under a week would be quite a feat. Not impossible, but certainly impressive. The best you can do is keep an eye on the tracking, hope for the best, and get ahold of Fedex as soon as you see it hit the shores.

Good luck.