Dazmac is a fully licensed customs brokerage which specialises in the customs and bio-security clearances of yachts and vessels arriving into Australia. We are accredited by both Australian Border Force and the Department of bio-security to clear your vessel before or once you arrive into Australia. We have in house customs broker who are available to discuss your needs at any time.
Dazmac communicates electronically with Australian Border force and Australian Bio-security which assures our customers a quick and timely clearance once they arrive into Australia. This means the customer is able to continue on their journey in a time efficient manner.
DOCUMENTATION
For clearance of your yacht, Dazmac requires the below documents (template documents being attached to this document
- Letter of Authority (LOA) – This needs to be completed as gives us authority to handle your customs clearance – if you are importing under a private name company details can be left incomplete.
- Copy of the marine survey for valuation document or your original purchase invoice (if purchased within the last 12 months)
- Copy of your ID (drivers’ licence or passport is acceptable)
- Gas Exemption Documents – This allows you to make use of a personal import exemption for your onboard Gases (in refrigeration equipment / air conditioning etc)
- Copy of your plastique inspection slip which was received on arrival of the vessel (if you have previously arrived) – please note if a timber inspection has not been done on the boat it may have to be done again at extra cost to the importer.
If you require surveyor information, please do not hesitate to contact us for this information
Only once Dazmac has received all the above documentation can we proceed with your customs clearance.
All of these documents can be sent to customs@dazmac.com & brett@dazmac.com for processing.
If you have any questions in relation to this documentation, please do not hesitate to contact our offices
PORTS OF ENTRY
We can handle your customs clearance into Australia on arrival through any of the ports of entry below
See a link to Australian Border Forces port of entry
Link: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea/ports-of-entry
These ports are;
- New South Wales: Sydney, Port Kembla, Newcastle, Lord Howe & Coffs Harbour
- Northern Territory: Darwin & Gove
- Queensland: Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Thursday Island, Townsville & Weipa
- South Australia: Port Adelaide & Port Lincoln
- Tasmania: Hobart, Launceston, Burnie & Devonport
- Victoria: Melbourne, Geelong, Portland & Westernport
- Western Australia: Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Dampier, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton & Port Hedland.
It is a requirement of Australian law that Australian customs are notified a minimum of 96 hours before arrival of a boat of yacht sailing into Australia to any one of the above Australian ports. This rule is enforced and yacht owners failing to notify customs can be prosecuted resulting in possible criminal conviction, a fine, legal expenses or delays.
96 Hours notice is provided to customs by;
- Sending an email to yachtreport@abf.gov.au
- Sending a fax to: +61 2 6275 6331
- Phoning the Australian Customs National Communications Centre +61 3 9244 8973
DUTY FREE ENTRY
Australia has several free trade agreements (FTA) with yacht manufacturing countries including the USA.
To be able to claim free trade the yacht must be
- Manufactured in an FTA applicable country & be able to provide documentary evidence to support this (e.g. Build certificate or free trade declaration); and
- Be transported (sailed in this case) directly from the origin country that qualifies for free trade to Australia. This means the yacht must depart from said origin and sail with intention to get to Australia as direct as possible. If it detours for a large period then we cannot claim the FTA,
You will need to provide the following information:-
- The name of your craft
- Your intended first port of arrival
- Your estimated arrival time
- Your last four (4) ports of call
- The details of all people aboard incl. name, date of birth, nationality and passport number.
- Details of any illnesses or disease recently encountered.
- If you have any animals on board.
- If you have any firearms on board.
- The above info is completed on a Small craft arrival report b333 – Smallcraft Arrival Report
Yacht and Boat Importing
Boats and yachts are subject to a general rate of duty, 5% based on the customs value (basically the price paid) and 10% GST calculated on the customs value plus international transport and insurance plus the duty.
If you import a boat from the USA, some countries such as the USA and New Zealand have a free trade agreement with Australia which may allow you to avoid paying the 5% import duty. Please contact us confirm whether your boat or yacht are eligible.
Privately imported boats and yachts are generally valued using the transaction method of valuation when purchased overseas new or second-hand for export to Australia. Circumstances where Customs may use an alternative method of valuation include such situations as where:
- the yacht was constructed by owner/labour;
- the yacht has been extensively modified since purchase;
- the purchaser and vendor are related parties and that relationship has influenced the purchase price; or
- the original purchase price is too far removed in time.
In these instances the boat or yacht will have to be valued by a marine surveyor in Australia. This valuation will be based on the market value and as such will include elements such as customs duty and GST. Customs will have to deduct these elements plus overseas transport from the local valuation.
Where the boat or yacht is sailed to Australia, overseas freight will be determined having regard to essential sailing costs incurred under the most commercially viable conditions. Such costs would include sailing expenditure necessarily incurred while the vessel is actually sailing (and entering and leaving) those ports of call on the most commercially viable route. It would not include any in port expenditure related to the vessel’s period of stopover
Where supported by sufficient/reliable information, essential sailing costs would also include:
- cost of maps, charts pilot books, light/radio lists, etc.
- crew’s hire/wages or forage allowance in lieu
- victualing or food costs (does not include tobacco and alcoholic beverages)
- bunkering or oil/fuel costs.
DAZMAC can arrange customs clearance of your yacht or boat prior to sailing into Australia. For more information please give us a call on 1300 DAZMAC (1300 329622)
Written by Daryl McIntyre