Col's Construction Blog
About Me
Col's Construction Blog

Hello! Welcome to my blog. My name is Col. I live in Perth and I have a passion for construction. I am pretty useless when it comes to construction work so I tend to leave it to the experts. However, I find that there is nothing more pleasing than seeing a team of construction workers complete a job. Over the years, I have hired many different types of construction worker and they have all taken the time to chat with me. During these conversations, I have learnt so pretty interesting things which I will be exploring on this blog. Enjoy!

Col's Construction Blog

A Guide on Customs Brokers

Ethan Burton

Importing and exporting cargo can be quite cumbersome. There are a lot of processes and documentation needed for your products to enter or leave the country. Failing to comply with the ever-changing regulations could result in your goods overstaying at the port. As such, you could incur losses if the products were meant to be sold. To avoid all this, you should hire a customs broker to handle the import or export process. A customs broker is a person who clears goods for import or export for a small fee. He or she is an expert in port procedures, tariffs and customs laws. Below are a few tips to guide you when looking for customs brokerage services.

Experience

There are several benefits of hiring an experienced customs broker to handle your goods. Experienced brokers often have long-running relationships with other people working at the port. As such, they always have first-hand information on new tariffs and planned delays. They can connect you to reliable transport companies or warehouses if you require such services. Experienced brokers are knowledgeable about port procedures. Also, they will inspect your goods to check if they meet the minimum import or export requirements. 

Professionalism

A good customs broker should exhibit a high degree of professionalism. Customs brokers with an informative website and an appealing office are likely to be professional. Do not go for a customs broker who does not respond to calls and emails or is late to meetings. 

Types of customs brokers

In Australia, customs brokers can be grouped into three categories.

  • Sole trader. This is an individual who operates as a customs broker. He or she is not allied with any company.
  • Corporate. This is a company that offers custom brokerage services to people wishing to import or export goods.
  • Nominee. A nominee is a person that is employed to work as a customs broker by a sole trader or corporate entity. He or she is not licenced to operate as a sole trader.

You may choose to work with a sole trader, nominee or corporate depending on your preference. For instance, a person importing a few containers maybe comfortable working with a sole trader or nominee while a company dealing with large shipments may prefer working with a corporate.

Costs

Before hiring a customs broker, always inquire about how much he or she will charge to clear your goods. Ensure that you ask on any additional charges you might incur during the process.

Your choice of customs broker should be experienced, professional and affordable. 


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