Where can I buy Brian Gavin diamonds in Melbourne, Australia?

Category: Diamond Education

Hello Danny, I've been reading your blog posts for awhile in preparation of buying a diamond engagement ring and I'm getting close to pulling the trigger. Where can I buy a Brian Gavin diamond in Melbourne? - Walter P.

Brian Gavin Ships Diamonds Internationally:

In an effort to maintain the best prices possible for the high quality diamonds which Brian Gavin produces, we only sell our diamonds online via our web site, so you will not be able to purchase a Brian Gavin Signature or Brian Gavin Blue diamond through a jewelry store located in Melbourne, Australia.

However, you can purchase a diamond online via the Brian Gavin web site, and we will ship it to you via insured Fed Ex international priority service. Your local customs office will collect the value of the GST, and any import tax and/or duties which are imposed by the Australian government for diamond imports and schedule delivery.

While we have not tried this ourselves, we found a post online that refers to the possibility of being able to obtain a waiver for the import tax by applying for a "concessional rate of duty" under the terms of Schedule 5 of the Tariff Act, as set for in the Australian - US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) by calling your customs department and submitting a request.

Our interpretation and understanding of AUSFTA:

With the understanding that Brian Gavin is not an attorney and neither am I, the following is based upon our interpretation and understanding of AUSFTA, we recommend that you read the documentation yourself and consult with a customs agent to determine whether your purchase qualifies for a concessional rate of duty.

In an effort to stimulate trade between the Australia and the United States, the two countries entered into a trade agreement known as the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement which went into effect on January 1, 2005 with the intention of eliminating the duty for all goods by 2015.

The majority of jewelry items offered through Brian Gavin are designed and manufactured on the premises, and as such may qualify under the terms set forth within AUSFTA because they originate from within the United States, even though components of the jewelry, such as the metal from which it is made, the diamonds, or other precious gems, originate from other countries.

Loose diamonds, such as those featured within the Brian Gavin Signature and Brian Gavin Blue collections are generally deemed to be "duty free" under the provisions set forth by AUSFTA.

Implementing AUSFTA codes in our shipments:

While we recommend contacting a local customs office to ensure that your purchase complies with the conditions necessary to qualify for duty free import of diamonds and jewelry items, we will attempt to do our part by ensuring that we provide the specific codes and information required by Australian customs to verify that the contents of the shipment qualify under the terms of the AUSFTA whenever applicable.

Note that while an item may be exempt from duties under the provisions of AUSFTA, that other fees and taxes such as GST may still be applicable and will be collected by Fed Ex staff at the time the package is delivered and signed for.

More information on AUSFTA:

If you would like to review the documentation and guidelines for importing diamonds and jewelry items duty free to Australia from the United States, we recommend the following resources:

AUSFTA Documentation:

http://www.austrade.gov.au/AUSFTA8310/default.aspx

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page6016.asp

Customs Tariff Schedules for jewelry items:

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/chapter71goods_a.pdf

Determination of Originating Goods:

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/roUSBusGuide_041104.pdf

Refund for Duty Assessments Paid:

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/RefundsofCustomsDutyJune2011.pdf

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5939.asp

Refund Form:

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/B653.pdf