(Last updated: 8 May 2011)

Business etiquette

Bribery of foreign public officials is a crime. Australian individuals and companies can be prosecuted in Australia for bribing foreign officials when overseas. For more information, go to the Attorney General's Department on foreign bribery.

Tariffs and non-tariff barriers

Import regulations similar to those of the USA are employed.

Guam is a free port and therefore no customs duties are levied.

Customs authority contact details:

Acting Chief
Customs and Quarantine Division
590 South Marine Drive, Suite 601
GITC Building
Tamuning, GUAM
Tel: +1 671 646 5841
Fax: +1 671 646 7242

Product certification, labelling and packaging

Goods should be securely packed, having due regard to the nature of the goods, means of transport and likely climatic conditions during transit and delivery.

Use of hay, straw, grass or chaff is prohibited.

Outer containers should show country of origin of the goods and bear consignee's mark and port mark. They should also be numbered (to accord with packing list) unless their contents can be otherwise readily identified.

Labelling of imports follows normal commercial practice:

• Name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor
• Description of contents, including quantities in acceptable measurements
• Usage and safety labelling when specified

Special certificates

Health certificates issued by the appropriate authorities in the country of origin are required for live animals, animal products, plants and plant products. In Australia, this is usually the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry-Australia or the relevant state department of agriculture.

Meat and any produce must meet USDA approval, and these are quite restrictive for Australian products. Meat products must come from a USDA approved facility in Australia.

Methods of quoting

Quotes should be in US dollars CIF. Payment is usually by 30-day letter of credit and sight draft.

Documentary requirements

Commercial invoice

No prescribed form, however, must include an accurate description of goods, quantities, etc. Special summary invoices are required for steel, and cotton and linen fabrics.

Bill of lading/airway bill

'To Order' bills are acceptable. A minimum of four copies is required. Guam customs require one copy and at least two copies are to be sent to the consignee at port of destination.

Packing list

Details should be concise and in conformity with details indicated in the commercial invoice.

Public health requirements

US Food and Drug Administration regulations apply and are administered by the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Service. All food and drink products must have labels that conform to US Health Department content, style and size requirements.

Import permits are required for various specified items.

Guam is a rabies-free area and dogs are allowed relatively free access from Australia.

Insurance

Normal commercial practice.

Weights and measures

US weights and measures are used. The short tonne of 2000lb is usually used. If used in documents, etc. the term 'tonne' should be defined.

Taxation

A gross receipts tax of four per cent, of the FOB price (Incoterms 1990), is levied on the final sale of almost all goods, not just imports. Imports not intended for re-sale are subject to a four per cent use tax levied upon entry. Excise tax is levied on spirituous beverages, tobacco products and diesel fuels.