Module 15 - Import Declarations Overview - Cargo Support

DUTY, TAXES AND CHARGES
CUSTOMS DUTY
15.12 INDUSTRY IMPORTS MANUAL – V1.1 27/08/2007
IMPORT DECLARATIONS OVERVIEW
Goods entering Australia can attract Customs duty. Customs duty rates vary and
depend on a number of factors, such as type of goods and country of origin. Rates
of duty payable by an importer are determined by the classification of goods within
the Customs Tariff Act 1995. In some circumstances, anti-dumping or
countervailing measures, which result in the imposition of additional rates of duty,
may also apply.
TAXES
In addition to collecting duty on imported goods and cost recovery charges,
Customs also collects tax on behalf of the Australian Tax Office (ATO) including:
• Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Luxury Car Tax (LCT)
• Wine Equalisation Tax (WET).
GST
Customs is responsible for calculating and collecting GST on imported goods and
for administering all matters concerning taxable importations. Generally, GST is
charged at the time of importation. Warehoused goods are not liable for GST until
they are entered for home consumption.
The amount of GST (the current rate of GST is 10%) is calculated on the Value of
the Taxable Importation (VoTI). VoTI is calculated by the ICS using information
provided in the relevant declaration document. The VoTI is the sum of:
• the Customs value of the imported goods
• the amount paid or payable:
o for the international transport of the goods to their place of consignment
in Australia
o to insure the goods for that transport
• the amounts relating to transport and insurance that are not already included in
the Customs value
• any Customs duty payable in respect of the importation of the goods
• any WET payable in respect of the local entry of the goods.