International Post Clearing Goods

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Home > Import Export > Clearing goods - imports by post

If you are importing goods by post, your goods will be cleared by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
(AQIS) and Customs and Border Protection and delivered by Australia Post.
You will not need to clear the goods or pay customs duty, taxes and Customs and Border Protection charges unless
the goods:
have a declared or assessed value of more than A$1,000; or
are alcohol products or tobacco products.
This section provides information on the clearance process for goods imported by post, which have a declared or
assessed value of more than A$1000.
Here you will find answers to the following questions:
Why have I received a First Notice?
How do I make an import declaration?
How do I value my goods?
What is the tariff classification of my goods?
How long will it take to clear my goods?
What if my goods do not have a value of more than A$1000?
For more information
If you believe your consignment (parcel) is not valued at over A$1,000 please click here.
If you have not received a First Notice or would like more information on importing goods by international
mail click here.
For information about parcels carried by express couriers and not by Australia Post, click here.
Why have I received a First Notice?
You have received a First Notice from Australia Post because an international mail article (parcel) is addressed to
you and it has a declared or assessed value of over A$1,000.Importers of goods with a value exceeding A$1,000
must make an import declaration to Customs and Border Protection to clear the goods for delivery. The declaration
will be assessed for duty, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (if applicable). An import
processing charge will also apply. You will need to lodge an import declaration and pay the amount as advised
before your parcel will be delivered to you.
How do I make an import declaration?
You can lodge an import declaration in the following ways:
1. Engage the services of a licensed Customs broker to lodge an import declaration on your behalf. Customs
brokers can be located in the local phone directories or by searching the internet; or
2. Complete an import declaration yourself using Import Declaration - Post (N10) Form B374 and email,
mail, fax or lodge the form in person with Customs and Border Protection
3. For complex import declarations use an Import Declaration (N10) B650 e.g. multiple items, multiple
concessions, multiple permits complex importations are not common with international mail.

It is an offence to make false declarations to Customs and Border Protection

Import Declaration (N10) Post (Form B374)
The B374 form may only be used for making a declaration for goods imported by international mail (by post).
The B374 form cannot be used by:
licensed customs brokers acting for an owner; or
ABN holders registered for GST deferral you should contact a licensed Customs broker.
The B374 form is in an Adobe PDF format which can be completed on screen by typing your responses into the
appropriate text fields. You should complete and save the form in one session, otherwise the text fields will lock and
you will need to begin again.

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When completed, the form (and other attachments) can be sent by email as a formal declaration to Customs and
Border Protection. Note the requirements below for sending this completed declaration (B374) by email no
signature is required however:
For an individual you must include your full name separately in the same email.
For an organisation, the name of the organisation and the ABN of the organisation must be included
separately in the same email as well as the full name of the individual sending the email.
If you prefer, you can print the completed form with your typed responses or the form can be printed and filled out
by hand. Then you can lodge the form by mail, fax or in person with Customs and Border Protection. You must
ensure you sign the declaration if you chose any of these lodgement options.
Most of the information required to complete an import declaration (Form B374) is provided on the First Notice
(Australia Post notice) you have received or within the records you hold regarding your purchase.
You can declare different types of goods in your parcel/s on the one import declaration (B374 form).
You can also claim a GST exemption if you know the exemption code or an Item number to Schedule 4 of the
Customs Tariff Act 1995 (or a by-law) that applies or any Free Trade Agreement that may apply.
Follow the instructions (B374 Form Instructions) carefully when completing the import declaration form. Do not
leave any boxes blank unless those boxes are marked as optional.
How do I value my goods?
If you paid for the goods in a foreign currency make sure you show the amount and the currency in which you paid
for the goods.
What is the tariff classification of my goods?
All import declarations require a tariff classification for your goods (Customs Tariff Act 1995). For help working out
the tariff classification/s for your goods, click here.
Lodge your import declaration with Customs and Border Protection
You can lodge your completed import declaration with Customs and Border Protection by email, fax, post or in
person. Import declarations may only be lodged in person at selected Customs and Border Protection offices
please call 1300 363 263 to locate the nearest office where you can lodge an import declaration.
All mail regarding import declarations should be addressed to:
Client Services
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Below are the contact details for lodging your import declaration:
Reference
Number (see the
First Notice)
N

Email

Fax

postimportsnsw@customs.gov.au

(02) 8339 6708

Locked Bag 3000

Sydney International Airport
NSW 2020

postimportsvic@customs.gov.au

(03) 9339 1500

PO Box 1361
Tullamarine Business Centre VIC
3043

postimportsqld@customs.gov.au

(07) 3835 3337

GPO Box 1464

Brisbane
QLD 4001

postimportswa@customs.gov.au

(08) 9477 8680

30 Fricker Road
Perth International Airport
WA 6104

(NSW)
V
(VIC)
Q
(QLD)
W

Postal Address

(WA)

How long will it take to clear my goods?

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Please allow up to five working days from receipt of completed documents for Customs and Border Protection to
process your import declaration. It may also take up to three working days to process any payments you make.
When your goods are cleared from Customs control, your parcel will be delivered to you by Australia Post. For more
information on our Client Service Standards, click here.
What if my goods do not have a value of more than A$1000?
To show your consignment is not valued at over A$1000 you will need to provide evidence of the value to Customs
and Border Protection.
Acceptable evidence may include an invoice (or other sales document) together with a credit card transaction
record of payment or a PayPal money transfer receipt. Send your evidence of value to the appropriate contact
listed in the table above. Make sure you include your Customs and Border Protection reference number (from the
First Notice) in your correspondence.
If your evidence is accepted, Customs and Border Protection will notify Australia Post that your parcel/s are cleared
for delivery and you will not have to complete an import declaration or pay duty, GST and other taxes and charges.

It is an offence to make false declarations to Customs and Border Protection

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