Light is in high demand in Australia. The market is expected to reach a market volume of US$2 billion by 2028. Lighting’s transport is a part of Austway’s transportation business.
On October 27, Anna represented Austway attending Hong Kong Autumn Lighting Exhibition. At the exhibition, she met many overseas customers and learned about many customers’ transportation needs. For project goods, most of them need urgent and large retailers will stock up in advance, others will according the request.
The following are some precautions for importing lighting fixtures into Australia. Hope they can help you.
Classifying lighting for import
All lighting products imported will need their own tariff classification under the Customs Tariff Act 1995.
Here are some examples of lighting classifications under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA):
8512.10.00 Lighting or visual signaling equipment of a kind used on bicycles
9405.30.00 Lighting sets of a kind used for Christmas trees
9405.20.00 Electric table, desk, bedside or floor-standing lamps
8513.00.00 Lamps
We have our own custom broker, they will be able to help you ensure that the lighting you import is correctly classified.
Packaging and labeling requirements for lighting
Packaging
Lighting devices such as lamps will need to be carefully packed so that they do not collide into one another and break.
We generally recommend wrapping your lighting in bubble wrap with cotton buffering, and placing it into corrugated packaging to protect against external shock.
Labeling
Some lighting is required to be labeled with a ‘trade description’. This simply means a description as to how the goods were made, selected, packaged and prepared. Electric incandescent lights are an example of lights that require such a description.
Documents required to import lighting
1. Commercial invoice
The commercial invoice outlines the details of the transaction specifics, with pivotal data such as the addresses of both parties, an elaborate account of the lighting being dispatched, prices, value, currency, Hs code and the terms governing payment. Australian customs authorities will use this document to calculate applicable duties and taxes.
2. Packing list
The packing list acts as a detailed outline of the content of your freight. include quantities, weights, dimensions and packaging specifications.
Customs officials will rely on your packing list to corroborate the shipment contents against the information in your commercial invoice and other accompanying documents.
3. Packing declaration
This document declares whether your goods comply with Australia’s packaging and quarantine laws.
4. Certificates of origin
Certificates of origin will certify the country your lighting goods were manufactured.
5. AWB(if you by a air ) Or B/L (if you by sea )
6. POA
This is not only a document to assist customs, but also a document to assist you take advantage of Australia’s many free trade agreements. There are some goods that will be eligible for preferential treatment, such as tariff reductions or exemptions.
Customs and taxes for imported lighting goods
Duties
Customs duty on lighting will generally amount to 5% of the value of the lighting goods you are importing.
If you have FTA, may reduce them to zero.
An experienced customs clearance professional can calculate the customs duties you’ll have to pay on any lighting equipment you import into Australia.
Taxes
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is payable on the lighting products you import. You’ll generally need to pay 10% GST on the value of your taxable importation.
Tax legislation provides that the value of your taxable importation will include:
- The customs value of your goods
- Any payable duty
- Transport and insurance costs
- Wine Equalisation Tax (if applicable – unlikely in the case of lighting)
GST exemptions and GST deferrals can help you reduce the amount of tax you when importing lighting into Australia, if you are eligible for the scheme.
If you need assistance importing lighting into Australia, please reach out to us at one of our offices or click the button below to get a quote for your next shipment.
