Resources
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE INFOGRAPHICS
Below are infographics that Platinum Freight® have created to explain the often confusing customs clearance process within Australia.
Air Freight Customs Clearance explained
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE RESOURCES
To follow are forms that you may need as part of the customs clearance process.
Platinum® Standard Terms and Trading Conditions Australia
Platinum® Authorisation and Acknowledgement of Trading Conditions
Australian Customs – Personal Effects B534 form
Department Agriculture and Water Resources – Packing Declaration

GET YOUR FREE IMPORTING TO AUSTRALIA EBOOK!
To give you a head start in understanding everything you need to know about the procedures and requirements of the Australian import process, Platinum Freight® has compiled an in-depth ebook, with straightforward infographics to explain things as simply as possible. Download your copy FREE here.
CHOOSE PLATINUM FREIGHT ® AS YOUR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AGENTS IN AUSTRALIA
If you require customs clearance in Australia for your goods arriving from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Platinum Freight ® should be your first choice. Contact us by secure form.
EXPORTING TO AUSTRALIA: HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?
Customs Clearance FAQs
WHAT IS A CUSTOMS BROKER?
Technically there is nothing stopping you from liaising with the offices of the ABF and the DAWR directly in order to customs clear your own goods. However, the procedure can be complex and often works out to be extremely costly for individual businesses due to the logistics involved.
This is because you only have one day to collect your goods from an airline terminal, or three days from a sea freight depot, otherwise you will be charged for storage. Experienced customs brokers can prevent these charges being incurred due to our fast clearance processes and streamlined infrastructure. We receive immediate clearance responses due to our close working relationships with the ABF and DAWR, and we work seven days a week so you will never have to worry about unnecessary delays or your goods going uncollected.
We can also enable you to plan in advance for Duty and GST payable on your goods. Rates differ depending on the items you wish to import. We offer a bespoke service – if you send us the details of your goods via our online contact form, including any technical data if available, we will be able to let you know which rates apply and what the costs will be.
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?
Technically there is nothing stopping you from liaising with the offices of the ABF and the DAWR directly in order to customs clear your own goods. However, the procedure can be complex and often works out to be extremely costly for individual businesses due to the logistics involved.
This is because you only have one day to collect your goods from an airline terminal, or three days from a sea freight depot, otherwise you will be charged for storage. Experienced customs brokers can prevent these charges being incurred due to our fast clearance processes and streamlined infrastructure. We receive immediate clearance responses due to our close working relationships with the ABF and DAWR, and we work seven days a week so you will never have to worry about unnecessary delays or your goods going uncollected.
We can also enable you to plan in advance for Duty and GST payable on your goods. Rates differ depending on the items you wish to import. We offer a bespoke service – if you send us the details of your goods via our online contact form, including any technical data if available, we will be able to let you know which rates apply and what the costs will be.
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?
The DAWR requires a Packing Declaration for all freight shipments. This must be completed by the person who packed the goods, and can save you money on 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?
Please be aware that sea freight cargo may be subject to port charges. These can be charged by the company that ships your goods to Australia. However, many suppliers fail to mention these charges when you purchase the goods, which can result in them costing you significantly more than you may have initially 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 are particularly complicated goods to import, due to the amount of compliance required by a number of different agencies including:
- Australian Border Force
- DAWR
- Imported Foods
- Australian Food Standards
The rules surrounding labels on food and drink packaging are particularly stringent. The label must:
- Be in English
- Include your name and address, or the name and address of your business
- List the ingredients of the contents
- State the expiry date, batch number and lot code
- State the country where the goods were manufactured.
We are happy to consult in detail with any customers wanting to import food or drink to Australia prior to your goods being shipped.