DEH aircon update

[cowie165]

Quick burst from my correspondence with the DEH.

You will need to provide to your Shipping Agent/Freight Forwarder (or Customs Broker) to provide to us:- § A copy of your identification/information page of your passport.

§ A statement saying that the vehicle is a one-off import that is for personal use and is not for trade or commerce and that you will not be bringing in any other vehicles.

§ A copy of the Customs Entry/Nature 10, DOTARS import approval and the Bill of Lading.

Your shipping agent/freight forwarder/customs broker or yourself will need to provide this information to the Australian Customs Service who will contact our office for verification and clearance.

So, short version. Copy your photo ID (D/L I assume is ok), write your letter, and make sure Customs has a copy of your IA and B/L (which they will already hold). It appears it is that simple.

The chap at CGL (who shall remain nameless) argued that the $150 fee they charge is due to "all the running around they [CGL] have to do, and all the people at the DEH they have to talk to". Hrmmmmm.

I hope this info helps other guys out there in SAU land.

Mark

[predator]

Yes, it was that simple.

No, I was never charged an extra fee...

[blacky]

yeah pretty simple, and i also didnt cop the fee. just faxed the letter and it went through fine.

[jaik]

Yepo, I did that 4 months ago... no fees!!!!!

JK

[Beer Baron]

So cowie did they still charge you the fee?

I'm starting to think I might give this a go without a customs agent. Cause $500 is $500 and could be better spent elsewhere.

Richard

[sav1]

I'm going with cgl as well, i questioned them about the fee. i mean really i wrote the letter, and faxed it to cgl they simply would have refaxed the letter on to the deh. simple as, whats that about a minutes worth of work for some one at cgl. not a bad minutes work is it when you are making $150. And of course they never mention the fee at the time of sending cgl the letter, it just appears on your bil. But hey what can you do, the have you by the short and curlies. I though about kicking up more of a stink about it, but no doubt cgl may 'lose' some of my docs (ie deliberate go slow) and delay my car even more

[blacky]

its true that customs brokers have us by the SAC, as does anyone who you rely on to perform a service that you cannot do otherwise. The only way to get past it is of course to not use a broker. Its doable, but I cant say i know many people who have done it or would be willing to risk delays and problems.

be good if we could get someone on here who has done it by themselves to guide us through the process. Anyone?

[predator]

No - you simply don't have to use that customs broker!

Mine up here did not charge such a fee to do the work to do this DEH aircon regs work.

If you are paying the $150 this seems ridiculous as if you get it degassed yourself (e.g. not applying for exemption) I think you have to pay $200 or so anyhow!

[cowie165]

So cowie did they still charge you the fee?

I'm starting to think I might give this a go without a customs agent. Cause $500 is $500 and could be better spent elsewhere.

Richard

Hi Richard. The car is still in Kawasaki, which means I have lots of time to harass people like CGL and the DEH. CGL fully intend to charge the fee if they have to arrange it. As I understand it, if you just give the letter to customs yourself you'll be right. I'm going to call customs before the car finally arrives and just confirm they'll be happy if I mail the letter and all the other info. That's the understanding I have from the DEH email.

The Customs website http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4371 and the .pdf file http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resource...es/Mvguide3.pdf are pretty clear. I assume it just depends on how much time you have and whether you can attend the docks easily.

There are quite a few guys that do it themselves, but searching for posts might be tough. The customs site is reasonably comprehensive, and if you've got the time, I'd give it a go. When the car arrives I will be interstate, so I'll need someone else to do the paperwork for me.

I agree with you, $500 is $500. If you took the sum out of context ($500 as part of a $22000ish car) and look at it as being paid $500 for a day's (perhaps two) work, it looks much more inviting!

Mark

Sorry about the long post.

[Beer Baron]

Thanks for that info mark. I had decided last week to do it myself. Then on Friday my import approval arrived (7 days after I sent the application btw) and I got confirmation that my car will be leaving Japan on 20/12 and arriving in brisbane on 12/1/05. The problem with that is 1. I live in Sydney and 2. I will be in Japan (of all places) on 12/1. So on that note, predator, could you tell me the name of your CA in brisbane?

Thanks,

Richard

[Blitz]

Whoa, you received the import approval back in 7 days Richard?

Thats fantastic

[Beer Baron]

Yeah, that's what I said. I sent it on 23/11, and the letter was dated 30/11. It's weird that they approved my december build car, before december even arrived. I'm not complaining though. Maybe everyone else's keep getting delayed because of the "if you ring and whinge we'll delay your application warning."

Richard

[cowie165]

More info, unsure of which thread to put it in....

I wasn't sure about which import duty rate was applicable as my car (should) ship this year, and arrive next year. Actually, it sounds like mine is parked next to Richard's and leaving on the same Kiwi vessel. They are from the same supplier so I guess it makes sense! Anyway, I digress...

The Customs information officer replied with:

The rate applicable is the rate applicable at time the vehicle is entered for customs clearance ie if you enter the car after 1 January then the rate will be 10%.

Giddy up.

Mark

[Beer Baron]

yes, that info on duty is correct. So cowie, why are you using a sydney broker when your car will be arriving in QLD? or do CGL have office in brisbane too? or did you just decide that CGL would be the way to go as they are close to you (as opposed to having someone close the port of entry).

Richard

[cowie165]

yes, that info on duty is correct. So cowie, why are you using a sydney broker when your car will be arriving in QLD? or do CGL have office in brisbane too? or did you just decide that CGL would be the way to go as they are close to you (as opposed to having someone close the port of entry).

Richard

I had organised CGL for when the car was coming to Sydney via NGK. Geoff emailed last week saying that it should be on the Kiwi leaving on the 20th, arriving 12 Jan. I asked whether I now need a Brisbane agent, and he replied with no, the same agent [CGL] "will assist you".

Hey we should see about finding someone on SAU that knows what they are doing and pay them to do paperwork for both cars and split the fee! j/k

I have yet to speak to CGL about the Brisbane thing. I'll actually be in Victoria when it arrives and I'm thinking of having it trucked down there...? The agent I use has no consequence, as the vehicle will have to be cleared by remote control anyway - no chance I'll be able to attend.

Mark