Freight Forwarding, Importing and Customs FAQs for Australian Businesses

It depends on volume, weight, lane, mode and commodity. Rather than a guess, ask for a landed-cost quote covering freight, origin and destination charges, customs entry, duty, GST and delivery. Our freight costs guide lists every possible charge.

Duty is a percentage of the customs value of the goods, with the rate set by tariff classification and country of origin. Commonly 0% or 5%, and often 0% under a free trade agreement. See import duty and GST.

GST is 10% of the customs value plus duty plus international transport and insurance. If you are GST registered and the goods are for your business, it is generally claimable in your BAS.

Legitimately, because actual duty and GST differed from the estimate, biosecurity intervened, or cargo measured larger than declared. Illegitimately, because charges were not disclosed. We itemise everything and mark estimates as estimates.

Charges for leaving a container at the terminal or in your possession beyond the free period. They escalate daily and are almost entirely avoidable with pre-arrival clearance and a booked transport slot.

Sea for anything heavy, bulky or low value per kilogram. Air when the cost of being late exceeds the freight premium, or when volume is under about one cubic metre. Splitting a shipment across both is often the smartest answer.

Below roughly 12 to 15 cubic metres, LCL usually wins. Above that, FCL is normally cheaper and faster. We price both on borderline shipments.

Roughly 10 to 11 Australian standard pallets in a 20ft and 20 to 21 in a 40ft, floor loaded. See container sizes and types.

On chargeable weight, which is the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000).

Yes — flat rack, open top, breakbulk and RORO. See oversized freight and project cargo.

Not legally, but practically yes for commercial cargo. Classification, valuation and biosecurity rules are detailed and errors are the importer’s liability. See customs clearance.

Australia screens imports for pests, diseases and contamination. Timber packaging, plant and animal material, soil on used machinery, and food-related goods all attract conditions. Handled before shipment it is routine; discovered on arrival it is expensive.

Selection can be risk-based, random, or triggered by the commodity, origin or packaging. We manage the inspection, arrange any treatment and keep you informed of cost and timing.

At minimum a commercial invoice and packing list. Depending on the goods you may also need a certificate of origin, fumigation or treatment certificate, permits, or dangerous goods documentation. Consistency between documents matters as much as their existence.

Yes. Misclassification and missed free trade agreement claims are common, and refunds may be available within statutory time limits.