How Customs Brokers Help Importers

The import and export are the backbone of any country and the same way it keeps its importance in Australia as well. In Australia too, importing is the key factor because imports provide us food, shelter, clothing, etc and contribute a lot to our existence. The imported goods are every home, in every office and on every street. But still, even though the imported goods are everywhere why these Customs Brokers are still an unknown entity to the majority of the people?

The customs brokers are in every country but here in Australia, you must have a license for being a customs broker. Customs broker Australia keeps the importance of its own here in Australia. There is a course in Australia to be a Customs Broker. Previously, it was used to be a certificate IV and now from 2014, it is a Diploma level course called The Diploma of Customs Brokerage.

This Diploma level course has its importance and it is a 3-4 year part-time course along with the in-depth study of various international treaties, free trade agreements, and Customs Related Laws. More than anything else, it is a time consuming, information-intensive and ever-changing enterprise. The final examination is a complex and tough one and many students fail at least once.

Getting through this exam is not a guarantee of gaining your license either. To be a customs broker Australia one needs to have proven experience in the Customs Brokerage field as a trainee broker for a minimum of 6 months at least and after that, he has to sit in front of a panel of High Ranking Australian Border and Protection Service (Customs) officers.

To make a career in Customs Brokerage is very stressful and sometimes you have to wait for at least 6-months for a license. People often relate to a Customs officer with the airport or at the port. Here the customs broker Australia needs to explain that they are different. We are most of the time behind the scenes and ensure importers comply with their legislative requirements. We, customs broker, prepare the import declarations and calculate the true import value of the cargo arriving in Australia.

Customs Brokers in Australia advises importers on how to comply with their legal obligations and responsibilities. Customs brokers with accepting certain responsibilities act as the owner of the cargo.

The ACBPS (Customs) has recently made Customs Brokers as the alternate owner to take responsibility. It is a concern for a customs broker and if there is any breach of a Customs Related Law, then this poor Broker who has lodged the paperwork can be held equally responsible, for the law breach.

Customs brokers rely on importers to correctly inform them of what the consignment is and provide the correct paperwork? Now, the question is why they should be held responsible for the bogus papers provided by the importers? This is a concern for the customs brokers and their livelihoods are in danger and they are scared and the government must sort out this issue.

The customs broker’s job is very hectic and sometimes they continuously work for 36 to 48 hours. So, a licensed Customs Broker plays a considerable role in importer’s life. There are so many concerns for the brokers as importers look for reducing their importing costs all the time and they compare brokerage firms by the prices and ultimately it has been dwindling the fees of the customs broker too.

At last, Australian Licensed Customs Brokers are highly qualified and skilled in customs-related laws.

Author’s Bio: TSL Australia is a team of experts who are providing their services at the international transportation scenario. We are not only freight forwarders but we are Melbourne giants who are working with an abundance of knowledge gained over the years with the experienced professionals. We keep upgrading ourselves with only one view in mind to transport goods quickly and efficiently to the customers. Though we are based in Melbourne and yet we have crossed the borders with our top-quality network and agency partners. As a TSL Australia, we have different ranges of logistics services and we offer effective service to make our clients satisfied and relaxed.

Allan Hou is a marketer in TSL Logistics located in Australia. TSL provides the best freight forwarding services which incorporate transportation by means of road, ocean, and air. We offer for all your distinct freight and logistics needs.