FAQs
Customs FAQ’s
A customs broker is a licensed expert in customs regulations who prepares import declarations, ensures legal compliance, and offers guidance on duties, tariffs, and free trade agreements. They collaborate closely with freight forwarders to facilitate efficient customs clearance.
Customs clearance in Australia is the process by which imported goods are formally approved for entry into the country by the Australian Border Force (ABF). This involves several key steps:
- Lodging Import Declarations: Importers or customs brokers must submit an import declaration to the ABF, detailing the goods being imported, their value, and their classification under the Customs Act.
- Payment of Duties and Taxes: Importers are responsible for paying any applicable customs duties, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and other charges associated with the import.
- Documentation Review: The ABF reviews the submitted documents, which may include invoices, packing lists, and permits for regulated items. Additional documentation may be required for certain goods.
- Inspections: The ABF may conduct inspections or examinations of the goods to ensure compliance with Australian laws and regulations, especially for high-risk items.
- Release of Goods: Once all requirements are met and any duties or taxes are paid, the goods are cleared for entry and can be released to the importer.
- Compliance with Regulations: Importers must ensure that their goods comply with Australian standards, including safety and environmental regulations.
Proper customs clearance is essential for avoiding delays, fines, and potential confiscation of goods.
Duty in Australia is usually 5% of the VOTI. (some products have excise or other taxes such as luxury cars)
This 5% of the value of the cargo + Freight + insurance x 5% in AUD.
GST in Australia is 10% on all cargo unless they are exempt from GST.
This 10% of the value of the cargo + Freight + insurance + duty paid x 10% in AUD.
This is claimed back as Input Tax credits on your BAS statement. Businesses must be registered for GST to be able to do this and it basically offsets GST you have paid against GST you collect.
Yes, you can, however there is a process, it takes time and it is complex. To get DGST status you need to have an ABN, be GST registered, and your BAS statements will be changed to online and monthly.
Please talk to your accountant for further details, they can help you with your application.
General Freight FAQs
Yes, we can offer door to door services.
Just give us a call or drop us an email on the contact us (link here) form. We can talk to you about it all.
Yes, we handle all kinds of cargo. We can do anything from firearms, personal goods, furniture, to military cargo, generators, machinery and equipment.
Give us a call and tell us about your business, we’d love to hear from you.
Yes, we provide insurance on our website (link here). We have a partnership with Coverfreight Cargo Insurance and you can get a quote instantly and purchase a policy.
Incoterms, or International Commercial Terms, are a set of standardized trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). They define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international transactions, particularly regarding the delivery of goods, risk transfer, and transportation costs.
The terms clarify:
- Who pays for transportation: Specifies whether the buyer or seller is responsible for freight costs.
- Risk transfer: Indicates when the risk of loss or damage to goods passes from the seller to the buyer.
- Customs responsibilities: Outlines who is responsible for customs clearance and payment of duties.
Some commonly used Incoterms include:
- EXW (Ex Works): The seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer assumes all costs and risks from there.
- FOB (Free On Board): The seller is responsible for the goods until they are loaded onto the shipping vessel; after that, the buyer assumes responsibility.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): The seller covers the cost of shipping and insurance until the goods reach the port of destination.
These terms are updated periodically, with the most recent version being Incoterms 2020. They help facilitate international trade by providing a clear understanding of obligations.
Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPEs) are your household and personal items that you import into Australia but that arrive separately to you.
You may be eligible for a UPE concession. If you are eligible, we will clear your UPEs from customs control without requiring you to pay:
- customs duty
- goods and services tax (GST), or
- other taxes and charges.
Contact us today. We will arrange it for you no worries. Personal effects are one of our specialities.
More information on personal effects can be found here:
https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/moving-to-australia/upe
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/travelling/moving-immigrating
Self assessed clearances are for goods valued at less than 1000 AUD.
A Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) declaration is an electronic declaration that Customs requires to clear goods imported by air and sea that have a value at or below the AUD $1000 import entry threshold.
Goods valued above the import entry threshold need to be cleared on a Formal Import Declaration. Both these methods, must be communicated through the Customs ICS System by a registered user, namely a customs broker.
Customs information relating to SAC can be found here: https://www.abf.gov.au/imports/Pages/How-to-import/Import-declarations.aspx#:~:text=an%20Import%20Declaration.-,Self%2DAssessed%20Clearance%20(SAC)%20Declaration,or%20less%20than%20AUD1%2C000.
Most passenger planes have size limits for freight, these are roughly Length under 2.8m, Width Under 2m, and height preferably under 1.5m.
However we can arrange bigger shipments on freight specific flights, anything from glass facades to vehicles, and even containers with generators in them.
The volumetric weight is the equivalent of weight for your measurements of the cargo. Most common way of calculating this for airlines is LXWXH in M x 1.67.
Basical 1 m3 = 167kgs.
Then whichever is higher, the actual weight or the volumetric weight is used for the calculation of the freight rates for the goods.
Firearms Freight FAQs
Shipping dangerous goods into Australia involves specific regulations and compliance with safety standards.
Here’s a general overview of the process:
- Classification: Identify and classify the goods according to the United Nations (UN) criteria for dangerous goods. This determines the appropriate handling and shipping requirements.
- Packaging: Use appropriate packaging that meets the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (ADG Code) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. Ensure that the packaging is marked and labelled correctly.
- Documentation: Prepare necessary documentation. This can include different documents for different goods, but can include an Safety Data Sheet (SDS), transport documents, and other shipping documents i.e. M041.
It’s important to consult with logistics professionals or regulatory authorities to ensure full compliance, as the regulations can vary based on the type of dangerous goods being shipped. So contact us and we can help you with the requirements.
To bring firearms, ammunition, parts, or accessories you already own into Australia you must:
- Submit a completed ‘Application for Police Confirmation for the Importation of Firearms and Parts’ (B709A) form 28 days prior to requiring the import permit.
- Provide the State of Import’s Police with the full details of the firearm(s), ammunition parts, or accessories which are to be brought into Australia.
Detailed information about the specifications and quantity of the following need to be provided:
- Ammunition – for example the number of rounds, the type (e.g., Centrefire, Rimfire, Air, Shotgun or Paintball) and calibre (e.g., 38 Super, 9mm luger etc).
- Reloading – precise details of the components.
- Magazines – calibre & capacity.
- Stocks – type of material (eg. timber or synthetic).
- Barrels – calibre and length in millimetres.
There are other requirements, please contact us or your local licensed firearms dealer for further information.
If you wish to bring new firearms, ammunition, parts, or accessories into Australia you must:
- Hold a current firearm licence of the Category of firearm, ammunition, part, or accessories you wish to import.
- Submit a completed ‘Application for Police Confirmation for the Importation of Firearms and Parts’ form 28 days prior to requiring the import permit.
- Provide the Importing States Police with the full details of the firearm(s), ammunition, parts, or accessories which are to be brought into Australia.
- Submit a completed Permit to Acquire Application form for each new firearm (this will be to the state your are waiting to import them into)
There are other requirements, please contact us or your local licensed firearms dealer for further information.
No. You cannot import on behalf of a third party. Border Force will not release imported articles where the name on the certification or import permit authority does not match the name of the importer.
Yes, we can help you with your deference export controls (DEC) permits. To get your goods out of Australia, and returned smoothly.
We can not always assist with the country where the competition is being held’s individual requirements. These details are usually on your invitation to compete.
Please email us, or contact us on our online form so we can ensure your trip goes smoothly.
