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Australians receiving or giving Christmas gifts that items processed through the international mail system may be subject to the imposition of taxes and import restrictions.

With Christmas mail now beginning to arrive in Australia, awareness of gift concessions will prevent undue annoyance when gifts arrive from overseas.

“Even if gifts are bought from an Australian website or an Australian company, goods may not be delivered from Australia – they might be sent from overseas and therefore may be subject to the imposition of taxes and import restrictions,” Senator Ellison said.

Customs is required to collect import duty and GST on gifts coming into the country, but if an unsolicited gift through the mail is valued at $200 or less, it is allowed into Australia free of duty and GST. Anything above that amount attracts government charges, which are calculated on the gift’s value in excess of $200.

For gifts of tobacco or alcohol, slightly different rules apply. Up to 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of other tobacco products and up to one litre of alcoholic liquor can come in duty and GST free.

The $200 duty and GST concession is allowed only once on a parcel addressed to a single family member, even though the parcel may contain gifts for the whole family.

Customs does not collect revenue where the combined duty and GST liability is less than $50.

The $200 gift concession for import duty and GST on gifts only apply to unsolicited gifts. No concession is available to items that you purchase personally by mail order, fax, phone or via the Internet. Duty and GST are payable based on the declared value of the items. Should the items be undervalued in a deliberate attempt to avoid duty, penalties including seizure can apply.

Accurately described and valued goods will assist a smooth flow of mail through Customs helping to facilitate the delivery process.

“However, Australians should be in no doubt that the determined vigilance of Customs, including increased security procedures and checking measures, means that undervalued goods will almost certainly be detected and correctly assessed for taxes and duty,” Senator Ellison said.

Senator Ellison said people who might be unclear about the regulations applying to this issue should obtain information first to avoid disappointment later. Information is available by contacting a Customs Information and Support Centre on 1300 363 263 or emailing: information@customs.gov.au.

Source: Media Release - Minister for Justice & Customs