Customs Brokerage

Q: Why should I consider Venture Freight as my customs broker?

1. Experience – Our team of customs brokers have been in the industry for 20 years. This amount of experience is sufficient enough to know the various regulations and conditions that are required to clear all sorts of goods that enter or exit Australia.

2. Integrity – We are vigilant in keeping current on all import and export regulations that are set by the various governing bodies. This enables us to ensure that our customer’s goods are customs cleared in the most effective and competitive manner.

Q: What is a customs broker?

A: A customs broker is a highly trained professional who holds a license to act on behalf of the owners of imported goods. They must possess the knowledge of tariff schedules and customs regulations and keep abreast with amendments made through constant changes in the law and administrative regulations.

Q. Clearance of my merchandise: What do I need?

A: Your customs broker requires the following, at a minimum, in order to prepare an entry:

1. Commercial Invoice – Preferably in English, which describes the product (must be in English), terms of sale and the purchase price. Must be on supplier’s letterhead

2. Bill of lading or Air Waybill – This is the transport document that covered the movement from origin to the destination.

3. Packing list – This is also used by the customs broker to apply certain types of duty as this document depicts the weight, dimensions and packaging used for your product. Therefore, it is a required document for customs clearance. Must be on supplier’s letter head

4. Packing declaration – This document indicates to Australian Quarantine if there is any quarantine risk materials used in the packaging of the product and if timber is used, whether it has been treated and marked in compliance with ISPM 15. This is also a mandatory document when importing into Australia. Must be on supplier’s letterhead

5. Other documents – Depending on the nature of the imported product, other documents from the respective authorities are required such as certificate of origin, fumigation /phytosanitary certificates or import permits.

Q: When is the best time to talk to your Customs Broker?

A: Before you place an order for the goods you intend to import.