It seems we have been overcharged for my personal goods when…

GST is added. Here is the breakdown of the bill. We have already paid over $5,000 for our belongings to be shipped. This is just port fees, for just over half a container 17.93 M3. I have see other port charges for full containers at a 1/3 of the price. The terminal handling fee also is high as Brisbane port charges are around $250
This is our bill from Vantage Freight.

Port Charges 10%=151.22 1,512.15
Delivery Order Fee 10%=5.00 50.00
Cargo Automation Fee 10%=2.25 22.50
Terminal Handling Charges 10%=35.58 355.80
Customs CMR Compliance 10%=2.25 22.50
Handling Fee 10%=5.00 50.00
Security Fee 10%=1.00 10.00
Shipping Line Documentation Fee 10%=2.00 20.00

SUBTOTAL 2,042.95
ADD GST 204.30
TOTAL AUD 2,247.25

This is the rates from Port of Brisbane:

PORT OF BRISBANE CORPORATION
Schedule of Port Charges as at 1 October 2009

CARGO RATES WHARFAGE HARBOUR DUES
FULL CONTAINERS INCL.GST INCL.GST
20ft $28.60 $46.20
40ft $57.20 $92.40
EMPTY CONTAINERS
20ft $9.90 $5.72#
40ft $19.80 $10.34#
REEFER CONTAINERS
20ft $28.60 $39.05
40ft $57.20 $78.10
#
No Harbour Dues charges applicable on import empty containers.
NON-CONTAINERISED GENERAL CARGO (whichever is greater – tonne or m3)
Per tonne $2.046 $1.617
Per m3 $1.837 $1.43
WET BULK
Per kilolitre $2.794
Per tonne $1.837
DRY BULK
Per tonne $1.65 $1.32
HEAVY LIFT CARGO Any lift over 36 tonne (whichever is greater – tonne or m3)
Per tonne $9.90 $1.837
Per m3 $1.837 $1.65

This is the breakdown of the charges starting with the port charges ending with the Shipping line corporation fee.

Port charges were not included. It's the amount that we are concerned about as it looks like we are being forced to pay extortionate port charges in order to receive our personal belongings. The charges do not match up at all.

Thank you for your reply. I have had a look into this on this and it seems we were wrongly advised by the shipping company in England.

Hi Leon,

The information you supplied I already knew. I was trying to find out information on my rights in Australia and what I would have to pay, to get our belongings back. I have now managed to get that information.