Resources

INFOGRAPHICS

Below are some useful flowcharts that we have created to explain the often confusing customs clearance process.

Air Freight Customs Clearance explained

Sea Freight LCL Customs Clearance explained

Sea Freight FCL Customs Clearance explained

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FORMS

To follow are forms that you may need as part of the customs clearance process.

Platinum® Standard Terms and Trading Conditions

Platinum® Authorisation and Acknowledgement of Trading Conditions

Australian Customs – Personal Effects B534 form

LCL/FCL – Packing Declaration

Importing to Australia ebook

 GET YOUR FREE IMPORTING TO AUSTRALIA EBOOK!

To help you understand the Australian import process we have compiled a handy ebook explaining Australian procedures and requirements. This must have guide to getting your goods to Australia covers all types of freight and includes links to required forms and videos to better explain the process.

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PLATINUM FREIGHT® HAS 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CUSTOMS CLEARING AIR CARGO

With extensive knowledge of the customs clearance process involved when cargo travels across borders, we aim to be the experts that you rely on for your air cargo shipments. Feel free to contact us today via our contact form.

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EXPORTING TO AUSTRALIA: HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?

Customs Clearance FAQs

WHAT IS A CUSTOMS BROKER?
A Customs Broker is licensed by Australian Border Force to customs clear import and export cargo. A customs broker performs customs clearances electronically in most instances and a response is received from Customs to determine if the goods can be collected from the wharf or airline and delivered to the customer.
WHAT DOES A CUSTOMS BROKER DO?

A Customs Brokers role can be very diverse depending on the clients that they retain. A Customs Broker will develop knowledge and skills in performing clearances for clients who they specialise in.

A Customs Broker will receive the initial shipping documents from you then he / she will:

  • Contact the airline / shipping line to request details of the cargos arrival date.
  • Attend to the airline / shipping line to collect a ‘delivery order’ and pay any charges necessary to the airline / shipping line.
  • Attend to Customs for any documentary checks necessary on a Customs clearance file.
  • Attend to DAWR for any documentary checks necessary on a Customs clearance file.
  • Attend to any inspections / examinations in relation to Australian Border Force [ABF], Department of Agriculture and Water Resources [DAWR], pillage or damage.
  • Organise collection of cargo from the airline / wharf.
  • Organise delivery to your premises.
  • Forward to you a completed Customs Clearance folder which needs to be retained by ‘the owner of the goods’ for a minimum of years.
Do I need a customs broker?
Whilst you may attend to the ABF and DAWR office and attempt to customs clear the package yourself, we would not recommend this as the airlines give you one day to take the package from their warehouse before they charge storage and the sea freight depots give you three days before they charge storage. As customs brokers we customs clear cargo seven days a week and are connected to Australian Border Force [ABF] and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources [DAWR] electronically and receive immediate responses.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF USING A CUSTOMS BROKER?
The costs vary depending on the service requested, however we forward a detailed quote to you before commencing work so that you are able to estimate the costs of having your goods cleared.
WHAT ARE THE DUTY AND GST RATES APPLICABLE FOR ITEMS ENTERING AUSTRALIA?
Send us an email on the particular items you would like to import and any technical data sheets that you may have and we will investigate the applicable rates of duty and any GST if applicable.
MY GOODS WILL BE IN THE COUNTRY FOR LESS THAN 12 MONTHS – ARE THERE ANY SAVINGS?
If you are exporting temporary goods which will be in Australia for less than 12 months, ask us how we can assist you with the import costs.
WHY DO I NEED A PACKING DECLARATION FOR MY SEA FREIGHT SHIPMENT?
A packing declaration is required by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources [DAWR] for all sea freight shipments. The packing declaration should be completed by the packer of the goods and by having a packing declaration costs can be saved in inspection fees.
I HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT TO IMPORT BY SEA FREIGHT… WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Platinum Freight has an easy to follow guide for Sea Freight LCL clearances located at the top of this page.
WHO CHARGES THE PORT CHARGES FOR SEA FREIGHT CARGO?
The Australian port charges are charged by the shipping company that brings your goods to Australia, most suppliers do not make mention of port charges when you purchase the goods. A lot of customers get a shock when they calculate the combined cost of the goods and the Australian port charges as the goods may not be as cheap as first thought.
I HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT TO IMPORT BY SEA FREIGHT… WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Platinum Freight has an easy to follow guide for Sea Freight FCL clearances located at the top of this page.
I WANT TO IMPORT FOOD OR DRINK TO AUSTRALIA, HOW DO I FIND OUT THE REQUIREMENTS?

Food and drink is a technical area and it has many issues; firstly there is the Australian Border Force http://www.border.gov.au/australian-border-force-abf, DAWR http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import, Imported Foods and then finally the Australian Food Standards. We have many customers who import food and drink and we consult with them before they ship the goods to make sure that all areas of concern have been covered.

If you wish to export food or drink to Australia, the minimum requirements for the label on the package is that it must :

  •  be in English
  •  state your name or your business name
  •  state your address or your business address
  •  list the ingredients
  •  state the expiry date / batch number / lot code
  •  state the country of manufacture