Customs Broker Melbourne

Our Melbourne Customs Brokers can take the hassle out of importing goods into Victoria. Our expertise means that you can rest assured that your shipments will arrive safely and on schedule via our extensive air, sea and road networks. Our integrated infrastructure guarantees a smooth clearance process with no unexpected delays or complications.

When importing goods into Melbourne, a customs broker can significantly make the process easier.

It can be challenging to understand your responsibilities if you're unfamiliar with the customs clearance process and the complexities of importing goods into Melbourne. It can be difficult to understand your responsibilities and if you don't ensure accuracy in this area, you could cost yourself time and money.

With ever-increasing regulatory requirements on imported goods, a licensed customs broker provides invaluable assistance, ensuring your goods enter into Victoria most efficiently.

  • Tax burdens are reduced
  • Expensive delays are avoided
  • Receive your goods faster

If you're importing goods, a customs broker will be the one to look after all of your needs. They can take care of everything by finding ways to minimise import taxes and meet all of the highly regulated customs and quarantine requirements!

Completing all clearance requirements accurately will save you from financial repercussions, reduce delays in the clearance process, and lower storage expenses if products get stuck at port.

Mismanaged, it can create a negative ripple effect and reputational harm, straining valuable customer relationships and adversely affecting the business's productivity.


Melbourne's premier customs broker & customs clearance professionals

Our customs brokers are experts in importing goods into Melbourne and achieving fast customs clearance. Having been in operation for four decades, our team has a long-standing relationships with all major airlines and shipping companies, and we are trusted by clients and officials to get the job done properly. These pre-existing connections help streamline the customs clearance process.

With a wide and ever-changing range of available concessions, exemptions and trade agreements, you can count on our knowledge to make sure you don't overpay import tax, and can take advantage of any applicable discounts and reductions. Our Melbourne customs clearance brokers will work with you to expedite the customs clearance of your shipments. 

We'll streamline and help navigate the complex processes when dealing with the ABF and Department of Home Affairs, and Department of Agriculture, to name just a few government bodies. We'll also make sure factors including cultural heritage and biosecurity risks are properly considered and managed, so your goods will be cleared in a timely manner, without any unnecessary and costly hold-ups.



How quickly can I get my shipment cleared into Melbourne with the help of your customs broker?

With all the right documentation in place we can usually get your items cleared in just 24 to 48 hours, but times can vary.

If any of the information provided is incorrect or missing, you risk having your goods remain in expensive storage facilities for an indefinite period. If unexpected issues arise, we'll remain on-hand to resolve them as quickly as possible, minimising any unnecessary hold ups.



What can I expect from a custom broker, and what steps are involved?

We are involved during different stages for a variety of reasons. We tend to build lasting collaborations with larger businesses that routinely import products.

We also work with personal importers who are unfamiliar with the importing process, who reach out to our team in a state of anxiety after receiving notification that their items are stuck in customs.

Step 1 - Prepare your shipping documents

Ideally, it is always preferable to contact us as soon as you receive your shipping documents. By doing this, we can help ensure that all paperwork is thoroughly filled out and submitted correctly and promptly, avoiding unnecessary delays due to incorrect or incomplete information.

Step 2 - The clearance process

When your items have arrived, allowing us to handle the clearance process, including communications with quarantine and customs officials, will make things much easier. We'll also ensure that any import taxes are correct, so you don't have surprises.

Step 3 (Optional) - The freight forwarding process

Next, you can choose to use our fast Melbourne freight forwarding service, that leaves straight out of Tullamarine airport. We'll safely transport your cargo straight to your door.


 

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    Do you have access to Government Clearance Rates?

    Our systems are electronically linked to the Australian Border Force, Australian Customs Service, the Australian Quarantine Service and other relevant government departments.

    This means we can take advantage of ongoing and immediate access to current and concessions as well as any changes, plus the latest customs and quarantine clearance requirements.


    Who can benefit from working with a customs broker?

    • You might be a regular importer keen to offload the associated administration burden.
    • Perhaps you're a less experienced importer, with limited knowledge of the process.
    • You could be a member of the public moving your personal effects due to a relocation.
    • Or maybe you've made an online purchase without realising the tax and import considerations that need to be made.

    Whatever your situation, our experienced brokers are uniquely placed to help you navigate the complex and sometimes confusing customs and quarantine requirements and processes.



    Frequently Asked Questions


    A customs clearance broker is just another term for a customs broker. There is no difference except for the title.

    Under the Australian Customs Act, the owner of imported goods or licenced customs broker (licences are granted by the CEO of the Australian Border Force) are the only authorised people allowed to submit a declaration for imported goods.

    Due to the complexity of the laws governing the importation of goods, plus the potential financial and other implications of incorrect information being included as part of a declaration, the majority of importers opt to work with a customs broker to avoid unnecessary costs and delays.

    The Australian Border Force (ABF) is the body that oversees Australia’s customs services, and requires any items arriving via sea, air or post to be classified before being cleared and sent to the recipient.

    For more than 40 years, Worldwide Customs and Forwarding Agents (WWCF) has developed a solid reputation amongst Aussie-based businesses and individuals seeking a brokerage service to identify the fastest and most affordable way to import their goods.

    Think of us as a conduit between importers and the government. We work with companies across all industries, and of all shapes and sizes - from startups to long-established industry leaders, and everything in between - to ensure goods are classified correctly and all tax and border security obligations are met, in the most cost effective way.

    The support of a licensed customs broker will help you navigate all complexities, avoiding unnecessary and costly delays. We’ll tap into our team’s up-to-date knowledge and strong relationships to make sure your imports are charged at the correct rate, and all relevant duty concessions and free international trade agreements are applied.

    And it’s not just Melbourne businesses that we support with our customs brokerage expertise! We are well-versed at working with personal importers moving effects from overseas as they relocate to Australia, as well as those who make a one-off online purchase without realising the tax and import considerations needed.

    All goods imported into Australia with a value of more than $1,000 must be cleared at customs, with a completed import declaration, and payment of all duty, GST and other applicable taxes and charges.

    For all imports with a value of AU$1,000 or more, import taxes are applicable. The actual amount will vary depending on the specifics of the imported items.

    Use our handy tax calculator to provide you with an estimate

    While import duty is generally 5% and import GST is 10%, various free trade agreements and duty concessions can be applied to your imports, where applicable. Speak to one of our experts for guidance on which of these may be appropriate for your items.

    Goods valued below AU$1,000 (except those arriving by post) can be cleared by the Australian Border Force using a simple self-assessment, or ‘SAC declaration’. In most cases your customs broker will be able to make this relatively straightforward declaration on your behalf.

    On top of your expected customs duty and GST fees, there are usually two main costs that your customs broker in Australia may charge you:

    1. A flat service fee: This can range anywhere from $75.00 for post customs clearance to $139.00 for sea freight customs, and $178.00 for air freight customs.

    2. Government fees: You’ll also have to pay a $50.00 processing / Government entry fee and your customs broker will notify you of any additional Government fees that may apply.

    A custom broker is there to take the headache out of managing your imports, and ensure that the necessary documentation is filled out correctly. They’ll work with you to submit an import declaration that allows you to import goods into Australia and ensure that you’re bale to bring your goods into the country in the first place. Upon receival of your clearance documentation, they check and ensure that it’s accurate, and classify your products so they get checked by the right Federal agency. They then liaise between yourself and the Government departments involved with your import on your behalf.

    While there’s no legal requirement to use a customs broker, a licensed customs broker makes it easy to import goods into Australia. They work on your behalf to ensure your goods are imported in line with the Australian Customs Act 1901. They minimise any delays in your goods imports, calculate your import duties correctly, and reduce any risk of non-compliance, so you avoid any potential fines.

    We recommend using a customs broker when possible. Australian import regulations can be convoluted, and easy to get wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. There are complex laws to navigate, and lots of red tape involved. Your customs broker understands the legislation, and acts on your behalf to liaise with the necessary Government agencies to ensure your goods are imported correctly.

    The difference between a customs broker and freight forwarder lies in where they sit in your supply chain.

    A freight forwarder manages the logistics and transportation of your goods from one location to another and know the best companies to use to transport specific types of goods. They’ll also have relationships with suppliers and can negotiate better transport prices on your behalf.

    On the other hand, a customs broker handles the next steps: they help ensure your goods can enter the country, that you pay the right import fees, and your import complies with all necessary Australian customs laws.

    Yes we do! We even have specialist brokers skilled in this specific area, due to the distinct complexities associated with bringing personal effects into the country from overseas.

    You can pretty much clear any items, as long as they’re not illegal or prohibited! Narcotics, firearms and rare animal products are therefore out of the question. Other items may not be outright prohibited, but may require a permit. For instance, you couldn’t just order a dinosaur bone as an individual, but if you were a museum representative with the intention of displaying the bone, you may be eligible for a permit.

    Broadly speaking, the answer is no. While you won’t generally need a license (or any form of ongoing permission) to import goods, depending on the nature of the items you may need to secure a one-off permit. This is particularly likely if you are importing items that could be seen to pose a biosecurity risk.

    For every import you will receive a standard set of shipping documents to fill out before your goods arrive on Australian soil. These documents include:

    • Packing list
    • Packing declaration (Sea freight)
    • Commercial invoice
    • Bill of lading / Air waybill
    • Letter of authority

    Depending on the types of goods imported, you may also be required to provide evidence of additional measures taken, such as treatments and fumigation, to avoid biosecurity risks. Examples of additional documentation that may be required include:

    • Treatment certificate
    • Marine insurance certificate
    • Certificate of Origin (Free Trade certificate)
    • Product specific documents


    Melbourne Airport & Customs Clearances

    Melbourne Airport, or better known as Tullamarine, is Australia's second-busiest airport. Worldwide Customs and Forwarding Agents have a long-standing relationship with airport and customs officials on the ground there, and are trusted to accurately clear imported goods. As such, our clients will receive their imported goods as quickly as possible.

    Being a mid-sized company that believes in top quality customer service and a personal touch, you can be assured that you won't get passed from person to person as we develop your solution. Instead, you'll liaise with a single point of contact throughout who will manage your enquiry from start to finish.

    For the most professional, reliable and affordable customs clearance services in Melbourne, we have you covered.



    Our Customs Broker Office at Melbourne Airport

    Address: Unit 1/19 Flight Drive Tullamarine Vic 3043
    Phone: +61383361580
    E-mail: sales@wwcf.com.au

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