Tip No 5: Big Brother is watching

18-Nov-2010 Having missed writing this newsletter prior to the Melbourne Cup, I was hoping to pass on a couple of “real” tips but with hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t.
So this tip is based on a real life experience we had a couple of weeks ago. After importing a vehicle for a client and going through Customs clearance procedures based on documents provided by the client, we were informed by Australian Customs that the client had undervalued the vehicle in his documentation.
In fact, he had failed to provide one of the two invoices as evidence of value. How did Customs find out? Easily; they can inspect your bank account electronically to determine evidence of payment.
And the lesson is? Never try to defraud the Federal Government. In this case the lesson learned by our client was an extensive fine and he could have had his vehicle taken from him as well.

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