Hi all,
I'm looking at importing an ebike from either China or HK.
The product in question has an 18650 lithium battery, 10Ah power, weighing at 2.5kg.
What are the laws around importing goods with lithium batteries that size via sea?
What is needed for it to clear customs with no issues?
What's with the go with shipping via sea due to COVID-19?
This is my first time doing something like this.
Thanks in advance.
Better get it from AliExpress, do not attempt to import it yourself. Been there done that; Ended up just disposing the bike due the bike was deemed as motor vehicle and VicRoads requested clearance procedures :(
They saw you as a cow to be milked!
very good point. There are some hefty restrictions on ebikes.
Make sure you follow this up, it may be a very costly mistake
That's an impressive capacity from one 18650. Lol battery joke.
Sea freight is about 2 - 4 weeks. No restrictions on importing batteries but you will need to declare it.
You will need a customs broker to help you clear customs.
What you will pay:
Broker fee ($100 or so)
Import tax (probably 10% GST on invoice price, mostly there is no tariffs on Chinese goods unless there is special tariffs on certain categories)
You will need to supply:
Commercial invoice showing price paid (so they can calculate tariffs and GST)
Customs declaration there is no prohibited material such as untreated wood (biosecurity) etc being imported.
Good luck.
Thank you all for your input!
Lastly, any good customs brokers/agents you can recommend?
Cheers
Anything over 200w of power will be treated the same as a motorcycle or moped and will need import approval unless it was built under “ EN15194“ (and that’s still only up to 250w). Under 200w and it could be imported under non-road vehicles option.
Depart of Infrastructure import vehicles information website
First time…get a customs agent to provide you with advice.