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Hey all,

A question for those that have travelled OS with their gear, do we need to declare all items when leaving the country? i know when i went OS a few years ago i didnt declare any of my electrical items (video camera, CD Player, phone, camera) and was not pulled up on it when coming back, what im getting at is if i was to purchase a lens overseas while i am there travel around and use it would i need to even mention anything? therefore not paying duty? I dont want to be caught either way with gear i purchased here or had imported.

Thanks for your feedback
Cheers
Michael

Michael, on our recent trip to NZ, we declared everything on the way out using specific Customs forms. This was to avoid the potential duty on the way back. That said, over there, we bought a teleconvertor, 80-200, battery pack, monopod, etc and didn't have any problems on the way back in (the gear wasn't even checked).

I forget the exact technicalities of it, but if you buy new gear overseas, you may have to pay duty on the way back in - maybe just scuff it up a bit before re-entry

P

I took all my stuff to NZ too and didn't declare anything - in fact, it didn't even cross my mind to declare anything on the way out. I bought a lens in NZ and didn't declare that either - didn't even think of that. But then, I have only been overseas twice and so haven't got much experience but both times have had to trouble.

On my first trip out of the country (I lived in England for 3 years) I declared everything (and also took far too much stuff!!) and was surprised by the response from Customs! None of them said anything but I got the distinct impression they thought I was wasting my time (or possibly theirs?!).

Since then I haven't bothered to declare anything on the way out and haven't had any problems whatsoever!

I think Customs is more concerned about the people making profit and/or importing goods they shouldn't to worry about a coulpe of bucks in duty here and there.

I've taken my camera gear with me on heaps of trips to the US, and only ever declared it once, which seemed to be a waste of time as no one wanted to look at it when I departed or returned, so I havent done it since.

I think they rationalised the tax/duty requirements between bringing stuff in and having it posted from OS, and you dont get hit unless its over AU$1000(? vague recollection), although you are still supposed to declare anything purchased OS at customs.

Gordon

Thanks for the feedback guys, i think best bet declare it just to make sure.

michael_ wrote:Hey all,

A question for those that have travelled OS with their gear, do we need to declare all items when leaving the country? i know when i went OS a few years ago i didnt declare any of my electrical items (video camera, CD Player, phone, camera) and was not pulled up on it when coming back, what im getting at is if i was to purchase a lens overseas while i am there travel around and use it would i need to even mention anything? therefore not paying duty? I dont want to be caught either way with gear i purchased here or had imported.

Thanks for your feedback
Cheers
Michael

There's no duty on camera gear - just GST @ 10%, which you'll only be charged if the total of your o/s purchases is over $1000. There's no need to declare less than this amount. I travel a fair bit with some new-looking gear, but I've never been questioned about it on the way back!

Cheers

Last year when I left for the US, I wanted to declare my several camera bodies I was carrying, along with a sleuth of new looking electronic gear - to ensure I don't get charged duty upon my return. The customs guy I spoke to told me not to bother. They only charge duty on new items - presumably meaning in orig retail packaging. On many other occasions I've brought back new looking items well in excess of the $1k threshold without issues.