Types of customs broking licenses in Australia

If you wish to work as a customs broker in Australia you will require to hold a license. In this post I will explain different types of customs broking licenses one may acquire and their differences.

There are 3 main types of customs broking licenses:

Nominee customs broker license

A nominee license allows one to exercise customs broking duties as an employee for a company or a sole trader.  A nominee license doesn’t allow one to work as a sole trader.

Sole Trader customs broker license

A sole trader license allows one to clear goods on behalf of an importer. A sole trader can hire nominee customs brokers.

Corporate customs broker license

A corporate license is given to a company or a partnership. This company will require to hire staff with nominee broking licenses to clear goods through customs. Also please note that a corporate license doesn’t allow for employment of individuals with sole trader licensing. 

Hope this gives you a quick overview of the options and licenses available. 

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What is a Self Accessed Clearance (SAC) SAC manifest - Importing into Australia

SAC manifest – Self Accessed Clearance declaration – SAC

Goods that arrive into Australia will need to be declared to Australian Customs. SAC is a way of declaring goods to customs by an importer. Goods that arrive via the postal network, personal effects do not need to be declared via a SAC. Also a SAC is only used for goods that have a value of under AUD 1000, excluding freight costs and insurance.

Do I need to lodge a SAC?

Majority of carriers, freight forwarders lodge sac manifests electronically on your behalf. Please confirm with your logistics provider if unsure.

How to lodge a SAC manifest?

A SAC manifest needs to be lodged electronically, there is no option for paper lodgements. You have 2 ways of lodging a SAC in a situation where a carrier didn’t do it for you:

1.)    Through a licensed customs broker. Please note that there will be a fee applicable. Documents that will need to be submitted to your customs broker are but not limited:

·        Master Airway bill

·        House Airway bill

·        Arrival notice

·        A commercial invoice / EMPP – evidence of monies price paid

·        Illustrative descriptive materials

2.)    Via the Integrated Cargo System, to which you will need hold a digital certificate. ICS is a system that allows one to report movements of cargo across Australia’s borders. One will require to purchase a digital certificate to be able to utilize such a system.

If you are a first-time importer, I will suggest you to utilize the services of a professional such as a customs broker. However if you are interested in ICS, please see the following link: https://www.border.gov.au/Busi/Carg/Inte

In short, ICS can be accessed via Customs Interactive-CI (web-browser) or through EDI which is a better option for high-volume shippers with sophisticated software in the back-end.

When should goods be declared to Australian customs?

For a smooth clearance and to make sure you don’t receive any storage charges, a sac should be submitted prior to the arrival of cargo into Australia. A SAC can also be lodged after the arrival of cargo at the destination.

Check when cargo should be declared to customs

Is there any Tax applicable?

There is no duty and GST applicable for goods under AUD1000, unless you are importing alcohol, tobacco products.

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