Also, if the duty has been applied already, what can you do? I mean we only find out whether we have or not to pay duty when the parcel is here and we have to pay for it.
Usually the courier or Aus Post will tell you there is a charge for customs duty which you'll have to pay up-front and you can query it at that point. But you'll probably have to know the tariff number the goods were assessed under and probably have to do your own search for a tariff concession or Free Trade Agreement. No European country has a free trade agreement with Australia to my knowledge but the US, China, Japan, Thailand, Malasia, New Zealand, etc. do have free trade agreements but that probably doesn't help with French cars. Goods have to be made in the county holding the free trade agreement to qualify as duty free, not just sold by the country and made elsewhere.
You can apply for a duty refund if you believe that duty was charged incorrectly and you've already taken delivery of the goods.
But (and there's always a but), there is a cost in applying for a refund, depending on the broker it's usually over $85.00, and the refund application fee might be more than the duty you paid. In a lot of cases it isn't worth the effort trying for a refund as the amount of duty paid would be less. There is also a cost in applying for a tariff concession, which you have to pay win or lose and the process could take months or years. If a tariff concession is granted they they are usually backdated to when the application was first made so you can apply for a refund of all duties paid on the item from when Customs say the TCO takes effect. Tariff concessions are often very specific in their wording so would usually only cover only the item for which the TCO is sought. e.g it might be say, a steering wheel, 16 inch, 2 spoke leather rimmed, with boss. If something is not exactly the same as the TCO description the TCO will not apply.
For us back-yarders (mostly) best to keep your consignments below AUD$1000 value if you can then everything passes through without issue.
Be aware that Australian Customs use their own currency conversion rates when going from Euro or other currency to AUD, not necessarily what you or your credit card company used. Customs is usually based on RBA rates. Duty is levied on the FOB value of the goods, i.e. doesn't include the freight so if your seller list the freight separately on the invoice you might get it duty free. e.g. if you buy something that costs $1000 but that includes $200 courier/freight fee have the invoice show the goods are $800.00 and the freight is $200.00 and it should then be assessed as duty free. It doesn't work to inflate the freight charge to some unrealistic amount, Customs have seen it all before and know what freight should cost. If you make a false declaration be prepared for a world of pain.
Companies that regularly import goods from overseas would (or should) know about any tariff concessions or free trade agreements so will get goods duty free if possible.
