Frequently Asked Questions

A customs broker in Australia is a licensed professional who facilitates the import and export of goods by managing customs documentation, compliance, and tariff classification. Customs brokers ensure that shipments meet Australian regulations, handle duties and taxes, and streamline the customs clearance process, reducing delays and risks.

Use us as your Customs Broker to save time, money and get the best advice on lowering charges and taxes.

When you import goods, each item needs to be precisely classified within the Customs Tariff. This classification determines the duty rate – usually 5% – which is then applied to the Customs Value of your imported items.

n top of this, Customs GST is applied at 10% of the Value of the Taxable Import (VoTI). This VoTI is calculated by adding the Customs Value, any duty paid, and the cost of international transport and insurance (T&I).

It’s important to remember there are also Customs processing fees to consider. Find our more →

Additionally, specific imports might incur extra charges like dumping duty, wine equalisation tax (WET), or luxury car tax (LCT). All payments are made in Australian dollars.

Should any of this seem complicated, there’s no need to worry. Your broker at End To End Customs will manage all these details for you, making sure you take full advantage of any applicable exemptions.

From 1 July 2018, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) may apply to low value goods (goods with a value of less than AUD1000) (excluding tobacco, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages) when imported from overseas by consumers in Australia. However, the GST will be charged at the point of sale and not at the border.

For goods with a value over AUD1000 an Import Declaration will need to be completed and any duties, taxes and charges will need to be paid at the border.

There are specific exemptions such as free trade agreements and tariff concessions – that reduce the Customs Tariff duty rate. There is also a GST deferral scheme that allows importers to defer payment of GST on import till a later date – to check eligibility please refer to the ATO website.

The Customs value of goods imported into Australia is based on the price paid for the goods – the easiest way to display this is on the importers commercial invoice.

When the goods are valued at more than AUD$1000 threshold, or include alcohol or tobacco products of any value, a Customs value will be determined which is used as the basis for calculating the value of any duty and/or GST.

The Customs value is combined with other items (customs duty, international transport and insurance costs and, where applicable, Wine Equalisation Tax) to produce the value of the taxable importation (VoTI). The Customs value is equivalent to the Australian currency purchase price of the goods.

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For full containers you generally have 3 days from when the vessel docks until wharf storage commences. Similarly, containers need to be returned to the appropriate dehire park within a specified time, this is around 7-10 days from the day the vessel berths – or the shipping line will charge demurrage.

LCL cargo; is made available for collection from between 4-8 days after the vessel has berthed – and generally 3-4 days are allowed for collection.

Airfreight; needs to be collected within 1-2 days after it lands.