Wine Buying on Holiday

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surfnwine

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I'm off to Italy for a month in April, and as I have only relatively recently started really getting into wine - I know I'll be desperate to take as much tasty Italian vino back with me as possible.

I know that my wife and I can take 6 bottles back DF. I suspect that we will end up with around 8 in our suitcase. For the avoidance of any doubt, we will declare all the wine we have, and will certainly not be trying to hide it and get through unnoticed.

Can anyone explain precisely how the import taxes are calculated, or point to clear information as to how it is done? Additionally, how is the price of the wine calculated if you have no record of the cost of each bottle? None of the wine that we buy will be expensive (likely to be well under the AU$50 mark per bottle). I understand that if you choose to go over the DF allowance and get pinged - you have to pay tax on the whole lot. Obviously that is disappointing.

Are you able to simply ditch two bottles when made to pay to get yourself under the DF allowance? I suspect we will have at least a couple of bottles of very little monetary value.

I appreciate any helpful information and tips that you are able to provide.

Thanks!

Surfnwine.
 
I make no guarantees but I have brought back an extra bottle or two before and declared it - customs just asked if I had any tobacco and waved me through when I told them I didn't; I got the strong impression that just being slightly over wasn't worth the effort for them.

I'd think that surrendering the over-limit amount would be ok but that's just an opinion with no facts or experience to back it up :/
 
Pretty sure it will depend on what person you get at customs.

I got this reply from Aus Customs as I had a same question a couple months back so decided to ask them directly

[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Passenger (18+) concession amount for alcoholic beverages is 2.25 litres.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Passengers are permitted to bring in more than the concession amount, however Customs Duty (duty), Goods Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) are payable for the goods to clear. [/FONT]
[/FONT]


Duty = (value of wine) x 5%
WET = (value of wine + duty + shipping and handling) x 29%
GST = (value of wine + duty + shipping and handling + WET) x 10%

On your incoming passenger card you delare you are travelling with more than the concession and the taxes are payable at the airport. Please note once a passenger goes over their allowance the taxes will be calculated of the whole amount.

Pretty thats the blurb anyway, will be at the discretion of the officer on duty.
 
The "value of wine" isn't as clear cut as you may think. If you can't produce receipts, they often "estimate" the value of the wine.

Of course the officer of the day, may let you through without worrying about charging you if you do the right thing and declare when you are only a little bit over.
 
I'm off to Italy for a month in April, and as I have only relatively recently started really getting into wine - I know I'll be desperate to take as much tasty Italian vino back with me as possible.

I know that my wife and I can take 6 bottles back DF. I suspect that we will end up with around 8 in our suitcase. For the avoidance of any doubt, we will declare all the wine we have, and will certainly not be trying to hide it and get through unnoticed.

Can anyone explain precisely how the import taxes are calculated, or point to clear information as to how it is done? Additionally, how is the price of the wine calculated if you have no record of the cost of each bottle? None of the wine that we buy will be expensive (likely to be well under the AU$50 mark per bottle). I understand that if you choose to go over the DF allowance and get pinged - you have to pay tax on the whole lot. Obviously that is disappointing.

Are you able to simply ditch two bottles when made to pay to get yourself under the DF allowance? I suspect we will have at least a couple of bottles of very little monetary value.

I appreciate any helpful information and tips that you are able to provide.

Thanks!

Surfnwine.

Have often brought back 4 bottles myself and declared them. I had nothing else to declare and Customs have waved it through. You'll 'probably' get away with 8 bottles between two of you but if you strike an agent on a bad day you can't just give up two but will have to pay duties on all. But, but, customs tend to not bother if the revenue is less than $100 in duty - too much work. But nothing is guaranteed. I'd got for it and see.:)

Btw: don't bother to bring back 'cheap' wine. Buy good quality Italians, 40-100€ a bottle if you are bringing them back!

You can ship wine back but you'll pay WET, GST and handling on the total cost including freight.
 
Thanks for the tips, everyone.

Any suggestions of top drops, TMA? You sound like you have done this before ...?!
 
Nice resource! Thanks!

Flying into Milan, over to Venice, back West through Bologna to Tuscany. Up to Cinque Terra. And than likely down the West Coast to fly out of Palermo. Sounds like a lot for a measly 6 weeks! :)

Finally managed to put my points to work for business class tickets, too. Pretty chuffed with that! :)
 
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Nice resource! Thanks!

Flying into Milan, over to Venice, back West through Bologna to Tuscany. Up to Cinque Terra. And than likely down the West Coast to fly out of Palermo. Sounds like a lot for a measly 6 weeks! :)

Finally managed to put my points to work for business class tickets, too. Pretty chuffed with that! :)

There are so many. Maybe get a copy of this book (also kindle version) https://www.amazon.com/Vino-Italiano-Regional-Wines-Italy. If your time is limited consider doing day wine tours by small group tour or private car, or own car but you'll have to be organized. There and too many to mention.

Do note that Italy is unlike Australia and winery tours and tastings require pre-booking - but that's easy and someone will always be able to speak English to you by email on the phone unless you get well off the beaten track

North of Milan is the Franciacorta area (south of Lago Iseo and SW of Brescia) which is excellent area to visit Italy's "method champagne" vineyards such as Ca' del Bosco, BellaVista, Cavillieri, all of whom do tours.

Venice (try Il Ridotto for dinner one night) - depending on how much time you have, a good idea is to get a car and driver and go up to the prosecco area of Valdobbiadene/Conegliano and do a tour of Bisol (Bisol » Italian Winery » Prosecco » CellarTours) then go for lunch and Trattoria al Cima in Valdobbiadene (Home - Trattoria Alla Cima). Ask the car/driver for another winery to visit on the way back. Good Grappa distilleries in Bassano del Grappa and the Poli in Schiavon. Further Prosecco wine tour - Decanter

Tuscany there are so many wineries to visit. Chianti area - towns of Radda, Gaiole and Grieve are good towns to visit. See for info on wineries - Strada del Vino e dell'Olio Chianti Classico

Wineries - Castello di Brolo, Castello di Volpaia, Castello da Verrazzano, Badia a Coltibuono (go for lunch and tour), Montalcino try a tour of Castello Banfi, Biondi Santi, and a definite must is my favourite Vino Nobile producers, Poderi Boscarelli, near Montepulciano (Boscarelli's Wines). In Montepulciano itself there's a number of cellars and tasting rooms to visit. See "Strada del Vino Nobile".

See this Ultimate Tuscany: Top 10 wineries to visit - Decanter

In Cinque Terra (very very crowded!) see this as a starter Cinque Terre travel guide - Decanter. Maybe visit Elio Altare. Fabulous producer from La Morra (Piemonte) with interesting vineyard here - Elio Altare - Contacts

On the way south, do consider visiting The Maremma for Super Tuscans - Sassicaia, Ornellaia etc.

That's a good starter. GIYF from here!
 
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