Moving to Australia

Australia is well known as the most popular destination for British expats, but once you’ve decided to make the move to the land down under, you’ll need to decide which personal effects to take with you.

When planning what to move to Australia, you should be aware that there are various taxes and duties to be paid when importing certain goods, as well as accompanying paperwork to ensure everything gets through customs smoothly.

Being aware of the tax implications will help you to make the best decisions on the goods you take into the country.

Tax-exempt goods

If you intend to take up permanent residency in Australia, many of your belongings may tax-exempt. If you can prove you have personally owned and used the items for at least 12 months prior to departure, and are a returning resident or first-time migrant taking up permanent residence, goods such as clothing, books, furniture, appliances and sporting equipment may not need to be declared, and may be exempt from duty, GST (Goods and Services Tax) or other taxes and charges.

Taxable goods

Certain types of goods are subject to duty, GST and/or other taxes, regardless of length of ownership. These include alcohol and tobacco products, vehicles and vehicle parts, commercial goods intended for resale, goods purchased from overseas while in Australia (including internet purchases) and goods which were bequeathed to you.

Paperwork

You’ll need to complete an Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPEs) statement for your goods, along with an Evidence of Identify (EOI), submitted to customs along with a passport, Australian Citizenship certificate or birth certificate, photo ID (passport of driver’s licence), a list of all goods included (e.g. a packing list) and a delivery order from the shipper.

Transporting your goods

When you’ve decided which goods to take with you to Australia, we are here to pack all your belongings, collect them from your home, book the freight transport (whether by air or sea), and arrange for customs clearance. In Australia, your goods will be delivered at a mutually convenient time by our overseas destinations agent.

Our Move Managers know the challenges of moving to Australia, and will provide expert advice and guidance when shipping your goods to Australia.