Thread: Freight for Dad's tools from UK to Australia?

I came back with some of my dads tools in my luggage. Couple of bench planes and some chisels. I declared them and all was sweet. As long as the wood is seasoned and sealed and free of pests. May be different if shipped out so I would check first to be on the safe side.
Regards
John

No experience with UK to Aus, but friends have done Aus to US.
The best deal was a cubic metre packed by them onto a pallet which was then shrink wrapped for surface shipping. A similar arrangement should exist from the UK. I'll find out who they used.

Customs should be OK as everything is second hand

Quarantine is likely to be the worst. Shavings, dust and such is likely to be an issue -- is your dad prepared to clean everything before packing ?
If yes, anti rust spray and wrapping in brown paper and then bubble wrap should protect everything in transit

Lastly, how much real and sedimental value do the tools have for you?

Thanks Guys. I asked Pack Send for a quote and they came back with 370 Pounds which is about $700 for a 50cm x 50cm x 50 cm box at 50kg, door to door (in 3 days!) which is acceptable as Dad will pay most of it! However, I'm sure surface freight should be cheaper so I'll keep hunting.

It's quite a while since I shipped anything but those costs seem a bit high. Go on the net and see if there are any shipping companies near your father's. They should give you a quote via email.
Cheers,
Jim

Originally Posted by jimbur

It's quite a while since I shipped anything but those costs seem a bit high. Go on the net and see if there are any shipping companies near your father's. They should give you a quote via email.
Cheers,
Jim

Must agree with Jim on this. One of the strange features of modern freight is that there is now not much difference between sea and non-urgent airfreight rates for small shipments (under 200Kgs, or so).

Also, your dad will have to fill out a (green) Customs form when he forwards the tools - If the valuation on that form plus the freight charges exceeds Aus$1,000 then you will have to pay Customs and GST (15% total). He can give them a British fire sale valuation and so long as it below 600 pounds total, you should be OK. He could try a valuation statement of "Priceless - family heirloom - no commercial value." but you might deal with a pedantic customs clerk who interpretes priceless as $5,000 !

Cheers

Graeme

I do not know the full ins and outs of GST.
Yes the tools will have a value (for insurance), but as they have not been purchased there should be no GST payable. Confirm with customs.
Ask lots of questions before shipping and if possible get the answer in writing as it could save a lot of hassles when they arrive.

Thanks, guys. I doubt there'll be enough in there to get to $1,000 even at a generous replacement value so hopefully I'll be ok.

Sentimental value is always a good phrase.
cheers,
JIm

And may be closer to the truth than I would like - I haven't seen the tools in the chest, but I know the shed roof leaked and caused a rust problem on the tools I've seen, so 'sentimental value' might be all I'm getting!

Originally Posted by ian

Lastly, how much real and sedimental value do the tools have for you?

I would imagine sedimental value may be held up in quarantine. Sentimental value, not so much.

Originally Posted by Afro Boy

Originally Posted by ian
Lastly, how much real and sedimental value do the tools have for you?

I would imagine sedimental value may be held up in quarantine. Sentimental value, not so much.

what if you contact a english car club that import parts on a regular basis from england
eg morris, vauxhall or the such
they might be able to help with a freight company or know of some one bringing in a car that you might be able to ship your tools across with
regards Michael

Originally Posted by Handyjack

I do not know the full ins and outs of GST.
Yes the tools will have a value (for insurance), but as they have not been purchased there should be no GST payable. Confirm with customs.
Ask lots of questions before shipping and if possible get the answer in writing as it could save a lot of hassles when they arrive.

This is simply not true. GST is payable on all imports unless an exemption is applied - eg under $1,000 or personal effects of a migrant or owned by an embassy, etc. The only issue is valuation. Effectively, Customs is payable on the tax-free wholesale price in the exporting country and GST is payable on the landed retail price in Aus.

But Customs are not interested in a small box like this; they deal in container and shiploads. They just need a bit of paper with a valuation on it - that green customs form (or dounne).

Cheers

Graeme

Well I know it's been 10 years since I arrived and I'm now an Australian citizen, but they're still personal effects - I wonder if they're still exempt! When do I stop being a 'migrant'?