Tip 3: Buyer Beware

12-Jul-2010
Many items available on the internet are prohibited or restricted under Customs and Border Protection legislation. Check with Bluefreight before buying.

Customs and Border Protection x-rays, inspects and examines all goods received at international mail and air cargo centres. Australia has strict laws which control the import and export of goods including purchases made over the Internet. When buying goods over the Internet, you should be aware that some items may be examined and x-rayed. All goods arriving in Australia are subject to examination regardless of:
• if the goods were bought for someone else
• purpose of the goods including business, personal or private
• where they were bought
• whether or not the intention is to sell or distribute the goods.
If you are in doubt about goods you are planning to buy over the Internet, check with Customs and Border Protection first.

Customs and Border Protection
Clearance
Customs and Border Protection intercepts illegal drugs, including performance and image enhancing drugs, firearms and other weapons, such as daggers, throwing stars and flick knives, and goods breaching copyright and trademark legislation. Goods bought over the Internet may arrive in Australia by air freight, express courier, sea cargo or via the post office. The method of delivery will determine the Customs and Border Protection clearance formalities and charges. All goods bought internationally over the Internet may be subject to a security screening, x-ray or examination by Customs and Border Protection officers or partner agencies.

Pirated and counterfeit goods
Copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting are illegal. If you buy pirated or counterfeit items over the Internet or bring this material into the country with you, you could face civil litigation or criminal prosecution.

Import Permits
You may need an import permit in order to bring certain goods into Australia. If the goods are prohibited absolutely they are not allowed into the country under any circumstances. All parcels inspected by Customs and Border Protection are opened by Australia Post. Customs and Border Protection has the authority to seize or detain goods depending on the permit information.



Prohibited goods
Some goods bought over the Internet are prohibited or could contain restricted substances. Items that may be detained or seized by Customs and Border Protection include:
• protrusion dog collars
• electric hand-held insect zappers that have no protection
against accidental contact with the electrified grid
• medications, both traditional and alternative such as
herbal preparations
• performance and image enhancing drugs, including
steroids and health supplements containing restricted
substances
• plant seeds
• videos, DVDs, CDs and books/publications with
objectionable or offensive content
• wildlife souvenirs and products.

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