Importing Wine

[userlame]

I know this is off topic (and please feel free to move this to the correct board), but I was hoping there'd be someone here with experience on this matter.

I have a case of 13 bottles of (reasonably expensive) wine sitting in a warehouse in Seattle. I've tried to have it posted to Sydney, but I've been told they won't ship it, as I need a licence to import wine.

This is a once off shipment, I'm certainly not in the business. I just want my bottles here with me - does anyone have any ideas or know who I can contact?

 

[harvyk]

I know this is off topic (and please feel free to move this to the correct board), but I was hoping there'd be someone here with experience on this matter.

I have a case of 13 bottles of (reasonably expensive) wine sitting in a warehouse in Seattle. I've tried to have it posted to Sydney, but I've been told they won't ship it, as I need a licence to import wine.

This is a once off shipment, I'm certainly not in the business. I just want my bottles here with me - does anyone have any ideas or know who I can contact?

Seven trips to Seattle? Or simply one trip, and pay the duty yourself?

Alternatively I'd suggest contacting customs (on both sides of the pond) as they may have a one off license which you could use, or they could direct you to an appropriate exclusion which you could use for a one off importation.

 

[dalereardon]

I am going to be importing champagne from France and England (out of bond) for personal consumption and haven't needed a license.

However I am using a shipping company who deals in wine shipping. My understanding is that they handle all the paperwork for you and you just pay the fees.

Be aware you will have to pay approximately 45% import taxes - which is made up of wine equalisation tax, GST and customs duty.

I only have contacts for European shippers but if you google wine shipping or similar then that should help.

Dale.

 

[markis10]

There is no licence required as such:

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/PersonalBelongingsFactSheetDEC2011WEB.pdf