All international shipments arriving into the country are subject to Customs control. As per the law goods with value of more that AUD$1000 and any shipments of Tobacco and Alcoholic drinks require formal clearance on which duties and local taxes such as GST are payable prior to be released from Customs control and be delivered to you.
All goods New, second hand, commercial or private use with value over AUD$1000 and all shipments of alcohol (Wine, whiskeys, spirits, etc) or containing Tobacco independently of the of the value, they requires formal clearance even if you they are sent to you as free of charge or as Gifts. Additionally, all shipments that arrive by Airfreight as general freight this means using any commercial airline such as Qantas, they also need Formal Customs clearance independently of the value of the shipment. There are some exemptions for payment if the goods have a value of less than the threshold of AUD $1000 and we can advise you and apply those exemptions if the conditions are met.
Do private importers need an ABN to clear goods with Customs when goods are for private use?
If the goods are for private use, then it is a private/personal importation therefore, you do not need to have an ABN to clear the goods from Customs.
An ABN is required for Customs clearance when goods are to be use as commercial goods, therefore, we will need to quote your ABN even if your business is registered for GST or no.
In any of the above scenarios, private and commercial importations for all goods that required formal customs clearance, Duty and any other local taxes such as GST are payable if the goods are not duty free or any type of concession or exemption is applicable. DO NOT WORRY, we will evaluate your documents and information and apply any potential concession or exemption that is available not only for Duty but for any other local tax such as GST exemptions. This means we can not only save you 5% duty but 10% of GST. This mean a potentially saving of 15% thanks to our extensive knowledge and expertise.
How do I know if my goods need Formal Customs clearance?
This is just a guide as ALL goods coming into the country are subject to Customs control: 1. If you have a Customs notice 2. If the goods has a value of more than AUD$1000 3. Any shipments of Tobacco or containing Alcoholic drinks independently of the value or quantity 4. If goods are of special interes or are prohibited or restricted importions
Do you clear goods coming to anywhere in Australia via post, airfreight and sea freight? The answer is yes to ALL. We clear any type of shipment, Postal shipments, airfreight shipments, and sea freight shipments all around Australia.
We are experts on our field that is why we can evaluate and clear any type of shipments Australia wide. We make sure that your postal shipment is clear for delivery, additionally, as per your needs we can also organized the pick up and delivery of your general cargo (Air Freight & Sea Freight) shipment and return of any equipment to the port as required.
Can I have my goods pre-clear with Customs?
Yes, we can pre-clear your postal or general freight (Airfreight and Sea freight). If it is a postal clearance and you have not received the Customs notice yet, we will need The customs Reference number for your postal shipment and copy of the invoice. If it is a general Freight we need a copy of the Air or Sea freight transport document and invoice. If you have not received, the Customs notice you can contact Customs by calling 1300 363 263 Opt 5 & 1 and quote your Postal tracking number or alternatively Australia Post by calling 131318 Opt. 1 & 4 and request: - Customs Reference Number: - Total Number of packages: - Total declared Weight: - Declared Posting date and arrival date:
We can work with above details and CLEAR your shipment if you have not received the Notice of Arrival. However, we still need a copy of the Customs notice for our records but you can provide it to us once you have received it even if the goods are already clear and delivered to you.
How long will the delivery take once goods are Customs clear?
Once you have paid us all fees, Customs fees, duties and taxes charges we pay them to Customs on your behalf and goods will get clear and Australia post will be notify for delivery.
What do we need to Clear your shipment?
For standard goods that do not require any special clearance or document such as import permit, manufacturer declaration, etc. We basically only need two documents which are:
1. A copy of the Transport document: For Postal clearance the Customs Notice/Parcel post notification Card For General Freight ( Air freight or Sea Freigth) a copy of the Air way bill or Bill of lading respectively 2. A copy of the Invoice or paypal receipt or any other document from the supplier that list the description and costs of the goods 3. A letter of Authority to act on your behalf. This is completed once you accept, upload the required documents above mentioned and submit them to us with the payment of our Flat fee. If you want a copy of the Letter of Authority you can print it from here. 4. Then We can legally proceed and act on your behalf to do the Customs clearance of your shipment. We calculate duties and taxes for your importation, we lodge it with Customs and Quarantine and we will notify you of the charges. 5. Once your pay us all the charges and duties and taxes we can directly pay them to Customs on your behalf as we are authorize to do payments directly to Customs. 6. Then your goods will be clear and Australia post will be notify and they will proceed with delivery to your door.For general freight ( Air Freight & Sea Freight) we can organize the pick up and delivery and return of any equipment to the port. Additional, charges will apply. Please contact us by sending an email or alternatively by calling us.
Why use Australia post and not Private Express Companies?
Australia post is an Express Mail Service (EMS). Which has many benefits as they are cheaper due to their large volumes and guess what they still use the same commercial Airplanes as the private carriers so you freight will be travelling with other goods from the private Express companies. This means same transit times at cheaper rates and same services such as webtracking and Australia wide delivery. As you may have notice many of the private express companies also use Australia post as they cannot provide the coverage that Australia post has.
How can I notify my supplier that I want Australia Post rather that a Private Express Company?
That is easy, All what you need, is to notify your supplier that you want your good via Express Mail Service (EMS). Which is the International terminology to mention the postal service of the country of export. For example in Germany is the Deutsche Post. For a complete list of the Worldwide EMS Operators go to www.ems.post/operators.
Previously, arrange Customs clearance was a huge and expensive task and that is why the private Express companies were on the market but right now with the power of internet and simple,convenient and low cost Customs clearance fees that ONLINE CUSTOMS BROKERS offer you can organize your customs clearance from the conform of your home and it is not going to take you long time and it is not going to cost you an arm and a leg. Addtionally, you are in power as your are the customer not just another number as you are for those big private express companies and you will have control of your shipment with the webtraking and Customs clearance not only hear about your duties and extras when it is already too late.
Why should I hire the services of a Customs broker?
A customs broker is a Government Licensed Corporate and Individual who can save you time as they can clear your goods faster saving you money on storage and saving on duties and taxes due to their knowledge on Free trade agreements, TCO's and exemptions. Additionally, they will clear your goods as per Customs requirements and will advise you on this matter so you comply and avoid any fines or extra liabilities.