Now more difficult to export

[peter.coombe]

Today I rocked up at the local Post Office with a recently completed mandolin packed up and ready to go to the USA. Nothing out of the ordinary, I have been doing it for many years. The lady at the counter entered the details into the Aussie Post computer system, but it would not accept the item without a "Export Clearance Number". After the helpful lady at the Post Office made a few phone calls to colleagues in Aussie Post who also know nothing about this, I left with the mandolin and went back home angry and frustrated. I could have declared it to be worth $1999, but that is probably illegal, and this is not the only mandolin that will be heading to the USA so I need to get it right. A bit of searching on the Border Force website, it looks like Border Force now has a requirement for an "Export Clearance Number" for anything worth more than $2000 AUD and you need to fill out a form to get the number and lodge the form personally at a Border Force (i.e. Customs) counter. Alternatively you can get a customs agent to do it for you, but that of course is going to cost. The nearest Border Force counter is 1/2hr drive away, so looks like the mandolin won't leave until some time next week. NOT HAPPY!

So, warning to anyone sending the fruits of your labour overseas. You now need to get an "Export Clearance Number" from Border Force before you send if it is worth more than $2000 AUD, and most guitars are, so get your paperwork done beforehand. They should be making it easier to export our instruments, not more difficult!

[peter.coombe]

It gets worse. Apparently the local Border Force office in Eden cannot accept the Export Declaration form.

[kiwigeo]

Why am I not surprised......:/

It gets worse. Apparently the local Border Force office in Eden cannot accept the Export Declaration form.

[peter.coombe]

Ok, I think I have it sorted. After getting shuffled around from person to person I finally got the correct person who directed me to the correct form which I already had found on their web site. He also gave me an email to send it to instead of fronting up to a counter (yes!). Form has been sent, now waiting for it to be processed.

This is the relevant page with the links - https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-export ... eclaration

If you live in a capital city then you need to front up at a Border Force counter. If you live in a rural area you can send by email, but the email address varies by state so you need to ring 131881 to get the email address.

[Trevor Gore]

Makes you wonder if the people who think this stuff up have any idea how a SME really works.

[peter.coombe]

Makes you wonder if the people who think this stuff up have any idea how a SME really works.

Yes. I have wasted the best part of a day trying to get this sorted and am really pissed about it.

One more thing. You need an ABN if your item is worth more than $2000. No ABN and you are toast, even if you declare it as a gift. Only way to export without an ABN is to lie about the value. Crazy.

[peter.coombe]

Just received this. Nobody told me anything about this -


"Your Export Declaration has been received, however is unable to be processed as the following documentation is also required:


- Evidence of Identity (100 points) documentation - Passport Identification page and Drivers Licence (please include both sides of your Drivers Licence for address verification);


- Invoice detailing the nature, quantity and value of the goods.


- Permits (if required) or other supporting documentation;"


GROAN!!!

[Trevor Gore]

I suppose that's why they want you you rock up at a desk. THEN they tell you you need 100 point ID. So then that's another 2 hour round trip....

Has anyone had the courtesy to tell you why we need this extra red tape and how it benefits the SME?

[peter.coombe]

Has anyone had the courtesy to tell you why we need this extra red tape and how it benefits the SME?

Of course not. Why would Dutton's department give out reasons and benefits? Personally I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have to get permission to export small items. Any way, you all now know the pain you have to go through to do it legally now.

I now have the magic number and the mandolin is finally on it's way to the USA. Woo Hoo!

[Allen]

I had notice from my Post Office that it's the US and I think they said China that is enforcing rules that always were on the books. They want to know what's coming into the country before it even gets into the stream.

[nkforster]

Who do you insure your instruments with when you ship Peter?

[peter.coombe]

Who do you insure your instruments with when you ship Peter?

Australia Post. They self insure so that is a very good incentive for them to treat it good in Australia. However, once it gets to the overseas country it is out of their control. Never had a problem with Australia Post, and I have sent lots of mandolins around Australia. Only problem I have had was with NZ post, but the insurance with Australia Post paid out.

[old_picker]

Read this post groaning.
I have a build under construction headed for America. My nearest counter to apply for an Export Clearance Number is Tullamarine 70 k's from here. I'd bet it will take at least two trips to tick all the boxes. The whole thing is completely mad.

To make things worse my passport has lapsed - another few hundred off the slim margin on this build (