All true, however cars and parts more than 30 years old are exempt from import duty so as long at it's for a '74 Civic.......

By Anthony (202.147.86.68) on Wednesday, November 03, 2004 - 03:22 am:

Customs(my neighbour works for them) have a speciallist in Sydney, all mail comes into Sydney,adn is X rayed etc. if Customs opens it, they will know what its worth,if they do not beleive its worth it is up to you to prove otherwise. Also not Black and White, but they do not beleive carparts are a gift, as I sent a Phantom LSD to a mate as a gift and they stung him $100aus duty, I had •••• fight with them for a month to prove it was a gift, stiff penaltys apply for bullshitting Customs, So be careful...

By Andrew Fatseas (203.63.44.193) on Tuesday, November 02, 2004 - 03:52 pm:

I think what Anthony is suggesting is that if Customs open the package for inspection (quite likely with anything metallic and heavy), and they disagree with the description on the customs declaration, then they may charge duty on the goods at the full commercial rate, based on the assumed value of the item.

If the item is obviously second hand though (ie, used and dirty), this is pretty unlikely.

Secondly, if it is a strange old Civic part, it's unlikely that they'll have any idea what it's worth.

By Don (199.2.139.147) on Monday, November 01, 2004 - 08:16 pm:

I dont understand the last post, Who is "they"-the customs guys?

By Anthony Stewart (203.173.8.223) on Monday, November 01, 2004 - 07:20 pm:

CAUTION, If they dont classify it as a gift, they will sting the duty too...

By Mick (Tur8ociv) (202.9.62.157) on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 10:55 pm:

I did something similar when sending to Jared (Australia to US). Sent the spoilers over as second hand parts. No Tax.

Not sure if it will work in reverse, but the gift idea prob would.

By Kurt (205.250.75.226) on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 08:53 pm:

I know when shipping from the US to Canada I have the sender write "vintage Honda parts" on the box as antiques and other such items are not subject to some of the tarrifs. Can't say it works for Oz though.

By Adrian (Evocivic) (203.42.97.141) on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 07:39 pm:

Send it as a gift with a low value (<$200 according to the customs website). Note: the value INCLUDES postage (bit silly, but that's the way it is). http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4368#5

By Don (199.2.139.238) on Sunday, October 31, 2004 - 07:22 pm:

Ok whats the best way to list something when shipping to OZ, so they dont get hit with a whopper of a tarrif like happened to Andrew when I sent him the side draft?