A Customs Broker is licensed by Department of Home Affairs, to customs clear imported and exported cargo on behalf of the owner of the goods. A Customs Broker is also logistics expert responsible for ensuring that a shipment meets all standards and regulations for the importation and exportation of goods in Australia. In other words, they act as intermediaries between their clients and the government of Australia.
Customs Brokers have two distinct but complementary purposes:
- The protection of the Commonwealth Revenue. As the Department cannot conduct a 100% check of every entry, it is essential that the Department has a high degree of confidence that customs brokers will exercise their function in a professional, correct and ethical manner to ensure that the duty properly payable on goods is in fact paid – no more, but no less – and that import and export data is entered accurately for statistical purposes
- The protection of the community. Over and above the public interest in the correct revenue being collected on any importation of goods, the public has other significant interests in the performance of licensed customs brokers, such as:
- government agencies should be able to establish the true identity of parties undertaking international trade in goods and in a self-assessment context customs brokers should take responsible steps to establish the identity of their clients for the purpose of the Customs Act
- clients who engage customs brokers should be able to rely on their expertise to provide the services they offer in a professional and ethical manner
- owners and employees of Australian businesses that the Government intends to protect by Australia's import duty arrangements should be able to rely on the integrity and expertise of customs brokers to ensure that imported goods attract the correct duty and tax
- consumers of imported goods and others affected by their use should be able to rely on customs brokers to ensure, for example, that potentially dangerous goods are not imported if prohibited or are properly identified and labelled if allowed to be imported.
Most importers of goods choose to engage a Customs Broker to act on their behalf because of the complexity of the laws governing the importation of goods into Australia (similarly to those of most other countries) and the potential financial and other implication of lodging an incorrect entry. Engaging with a Customs Broker will save you time and money and they may be able to provide feedback on how to reduce the duties and taxes you pay.
We recommend to look for a company who has an Australian Corporate Customs License holder rather than a freight forwarder company not licensed who will require to pass your information to a third party to clear your goods for customs and quarantine purposes. We also recommend you work with a company who does not offshore their customs and freight forwarding operations.
Yes, you can clear your own goods but it is not advised as the process can take you up to 10 days, whereas, at AusCus, once we receive all your correct paperwork, we can process on the same day and instantly connect to Customs and DAWE electronically and receive immediate responses.
Yes, that’s one of the areas we specialise in. AusCus is an Australian Corporate Customs License holder and does not off sure Customs and freight forwarding operations. Customs clearance is an integral part of any ocean freight process and one that can make or break not only your shipment but also throw your entire supply chain into disarray. We’re experts at ensuring your cargo is cleared.
Each country will have legislation setting out the exact requirements, but in essence the process involves the preparation of documents and/or electronic submissions, the calculation (and usually the payment) on behalf of the customer of taxes, duties and excise taxes, and facilitating communication between the importer/exporter and governmental authorities.
Customs Brokers need to be familiar with the following:
- Tariff Schedules
- Any Free trade agreements
- Listing of duty rates for imported items
- Regulations governing imports
- Prohibited imports & exports
- GST Exemptions
- Quarantine import conditions
Incoterms are important because they allow the seller and buyer to clearly understand who is responsible for what in the shipping process. There are many different incoterms, and we use three letter acronyms to refer to them. Incoterms can be overwhelming, but it’s very important that you establish them with your seller as early as possible. Auscus can compare your current shipping terms and help to minimise costs. Please see the following incoterms table.
We operate a reliable Australia-wide network and have logistics agent partners world-wide.
Yes, our regular customers can stay up to date on their shipments through our ‘Track n’ Trace’ software. Once you login as a client you access the software and follow your shipment. Speak to our AUSCUS team to organise online access.
Rates vary depending on many different factors including shipping terms, country of origin, destination requirements, and commodity. We always endeavour to get a quotation returned to you within 24-48hours (MON-FRI).
We recommend that you book in your shipment with us as early as possible to allow for enough time to assess the best options available for your cargo and requirements. Depending on the origin port / airport there may be faster services available at a higher cost, however, this can be discussed at the time of quotation or booking.