Importing Diamonds or Rings into Australia

It looks easy enough, just click a few buttons and my ring comes. Many overseas jewellery websites are offering you the convenient option of viewing and paying in Australian Dollars and quite often also offering Free Shipping and Returns!, plus It makes sense to shop around, we all do it, no one wants to pay more than they should.

Sounds and looks too good? especially when you are seeing Natural Diamonds and Lab Grown Diamonds or Rings on overseas websites like Blue Nile , Brilliant Earth , James Allen , Brian Gavin , Whiteflash , 77 Diamonds Ritani etc etc at what appears great value and sometimes better than Australian websites. Well it often is too good to be true, there are hidden costs and lots of unknowns associated with importing and returning your Diamonds and Ring.

What does it really cost? The three most important things many buyers don't take into account when importing a Diamond or Ring

1) On the website you are looking at, is the GST (10%) included?

Any Diamond or article of jewellery imported into Australia is subject to our 10% GST at the minimum.
2) What is the import tax on Jewellery from the USA to Australia ?

Loose Diamonds & Gemstones only incur the 10% GST, However a finished article of Jewellery, eg; Engagement ring, pendant will incur an extra 5% Import Duty. So add a total of 15% on top for a finished ring.
3) The Australian Dollar price indicated on these websites is an ESTIMATE!

When you pay for your Diamond or Ring you will usually be charged in US, UK or Euro's depending on the sellers location. Even if you are paying in Australian Dollars, what 'Exchange Rate' are these websites offering you? They don't say!.....Your Bank or Building Society in Australia ultimately dictates what rate you get on the day and charged accordingly.

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Duty and Tax Calculator - Estimates - James Allen.com

James Allen.com

*Please note: Me Jewellery has listed these links in good faith to educate & inform you of what the costs are to import a loose Diamond or Engagement Ring. We do not take any responsibility for the information they have provided.

*Images: The images used-depicted on this page are borrowed from the websites indicated and are not associated with Me Jewellery. We are using these images as ‘Fair Use’ and will remove them if requested to do so.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

Australian Customs

We all have heard of them, and most of know that we need them to help enforce our laws and protect our Flora and Fauna from items entering Australia that may or will damage our way of life. The Australian Customs office works closely with the Australian Border Force, The Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment, and the Federal Police to help enforce our laws.

So let’s look at what’s involved in getting your Diamond or Ring into the Country and shipped to your house.

Does the ring fit? who will resize it? Resizing also costs money and you may have to wait 4-6 weeks to get the ring back from the jewellers resizing it?
Some rings will have to be completely remade if the band has to go up or down a long way.

Importing a Diamond or Jewellery into Australia -FAQ

Most frequently asked questions and answers

Do I have to fill out any forms to import my diamond into Australia?

The Australian Border Force / Customs requires an N10 form for Formal Entry into Australia. You should find that most oversea’s jewellers will have this filled out for you with their Air Way Bill when they schedule your import.

The fee’s however are the purchasers responsibility.

This is the Link: N10 Customs

What Import Tax & Duties are involved on importing into Australia

GST: The biggest cost is the GST, any Diamond or article of Jewellery imported into Australia is subject to our 10% GST.
Import Duty: Import duty is another 5% of the value of your goods converted to Australian dollars. This duty only applies to articles of jewellery eg; Engagement Ring, Pendants etc, NOT loose Diamonds or gemstones. This duty is waived with Countries that have Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Australia.
Customs: The N10 or Formal Entry Form above has a set fee; Entry Fee for Items over $1000 – $10’000= $88 Formal Entry Fee for Items over $10’000 += $190
The Department of Agriculture. If The Department of Agriculture may also wish to view or scan your import for any bio security issues. This cost is usually only $38 if shipped by air, but you will not be asked about this, they will either send you a bill directly and may hold the package until it’s paid. (it is highly unlikely that this will happen) Biosecurity Costs
The USA does have a Free Trade Agreement with Australia and as such no Duties (5%) are charged for importing Diamonds on their own , however if the Diamond is set in an a Ring or Pendant etc you will be required to pay an extra 5% Duty. The UK does not have a Free Trade Agreement at this stage.
Duty Checker: Australian Government – Free Trade Portal Website

GST Calculator and other links

GST Calculator: Calculate your GST & Duty

BlueNile.Com Tax Information: https://www.bluenile.com/au/policies/international

Other Links

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/arrival/clearance-inspection/documentary-requirements

https://www.abf.gov.au/help-and-support-subsite/CustomsNotices/2015-44.pdf

https://www.abf.gov.au/imports/Pages/How-to-import/Import-declarations.aspx90

Returing your Jewellery back OVERSEAS

What happens when Customs or the Courier phone and say you owe this much $$$ before the article is released. If you anticipated it then all good, but you may get bill shock. Not quite right or what you thought? The big online Diamond retailers say they offer returns, but at whose costs? Check their fine print on returns. Almost all of these big online sellers expect you to pay the Return Costs and Insurance Cover for oversea’s transactions. Plus, you will NOT be entitled to any GST, Duty or DOA fee refunds from the Australian Customs Border Force or The Department of Agriculture. Associated costs in Australia are all your responsibility. IN and OUT.

James Allen.com clearly state (below) that you only pay a fee of $50 (US) to return your ring or diamond. Which isn’t too bad really for an international shipment with insurance, but there is no mention of refunding the GST and Duty if it’s a finished jewellery item.

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