Customs Brokers in Australia

A customs broker helps importers and exporters navigate the legal requirements involved in moving goods between countries. This includes classifying goods correctly, checking clearance documentation and providing advice.

The laws governing importing and exporting goods are complex, and mistakes can be costly. That’s why the services of a good customs broker can save time, money and headaches.

Import GST is calculated at 10% of total of the value of goods, freight cost, insurance cost and import duty.

• You can self-classify your products by finding your item’s Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) on the Commerce Control List (CCL).
• You can submit a Simplified Network Application Process – Redesign (SNAP-R) request for a ruling from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
• You can rely on the product vendor to classify your products.
• You can search for Schedule B codes on the U.S. Census Bureau website.

Harmonized System (HS) codes

HS codes are six-digit codes (e.g. 0701.90) used to identify products. HS codes are universal and are used for most international export documentation and commercial invoices. They are administered by the World Customs Organization. You’ll use an HS number when you are referencing the classification with your customers, vendors and anyone outside of the U.S.

Many governments add additional digits to the HS number to further distinguish products in certain categories. These additional digits are typically different in every country.

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes

HTSUS codes are 10-digit codes (e.g. 0901.21.0045) used to identify products. They may be called HTS codes for short. HTS codes are U.S.-specific and are used for import into the U.S. They are administered by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

An HTS code takes the same form as an HS code for the first six digits and then has four differing last digits. It’s very important that all U.S. importers know and use the correct HTS codes, because commodity duties are assessed based on this classification. With some limited exception, HTSUS codes can also be used by U.S. exporters on their export paperwork. The full HTSUS list is available for free on the ITC website.

Schedule B

Schedule B codes are 10-digit codes (e.g. 0101.21.0000) used to identify products. They are U.S.-specific and are used specifically for exports out of the U.S. Schedule B codes are administered by the Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division and are used to compile export statistics.

Schedule B numbers are required to be reported to the Automated Export System (AES) for shipments valued at more than $2,500 or when your shipment requires an export license. As with HTS codes, the first six digits of a Schedule B code should be the same as an HS number; however, the last four digits may be different from the HTS code. A full list of Schedule B codes is available for free on the U.S. Census Bureau’s website.

We handle customs clearance in all major airports and ports in Australia, in all states:

• Victoria
• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory

The answer to this question varies on a case-by-case basis.

Time frame for delivery will depend on if your goods are travelling by air or sea and, if travelling by sea, whether they are LCL or FCL Shipments.

LCL Shipments (4 – 7 days after date of arrival) – With LCL shipments. goods need to be unpacked on arrival and goods segregated for collection.

FCL Shipments (3 – 5  days after arrival) – This allows enough time for containers to be unloaded off the vessel and made available for collection.

Air Shipments (1 – 2 days after the date of arrival) – This allows enough time for airfreight to be offloaded at the airline and transferred to a cargo terminal operator ready for collection.

After all documents are electronically lodged in ICS and our brokers have entered all individual lines and classifications into the system, they are  then prompted to answer a series of questions regarding the classification or interpretation, it may be established at this point that further documents or questions need answering to which our brokers deal with internally.  Once the process is complete the system (ICS ) is notified of a “clear” status and the job is appropriately updated. We then pay all duties, taxes and shipping line or airline costs up front and are then able to get a release for pick up from the airport or seaport.

It depends on the commodity, however standard paperwork is;

Bill of Lading (original or telex release)

Packing List

Packing Declaration

Commercial invoice

COO

Fumigation certificates if required

Customs clearance work involves preparation and submission of documentations required to facilitate export or imports into the country, representing clients during customs examination, assessment, payment of duty and taking delivery of cargo from customs after clearance along with documents.