How Much Paperwork Do You Need When Importing Goods into Australia?

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If this is the first time that you've imported any goods into Australia, you may understand that there's typically quite a lot of paperwork involved and that you need to ensure it's all in order, for everything to go as smoothly as possible. The documentation will vary according to the type of cargo you are importing, starting with the basic requirement and moving on from there. What do you need to know about the formalities?

Invoice and Bill of Lading

To begin with, you will need two crucial pieces of paper. One is called a "bill of lading" and the other one is the invoice. The first is essentially a record of the shipment and a copy needs to be provided to both importer and shipper, while the second details the value of the individual units, typically listed in Australian dollars.

Declaration and Fumigation

Then, you will probably need a more detailed list of what is included in each package or compartment in order to make up the volume of the total shipment. When these goods are packed into a container, the company that did so has to sign a declaration, in case the authorities have to take some action when it arrives at the port. For example, in Australia there are significant restrictions associated with timber when used for pallets and if your goods are loaded in this way, fumigation will be required. It's far better to use plastic as the loading material, as this does not require any treatment at all.

Controlled Goods

If your import contains any controlled elements, such as refrigeration units, you need to make sure that you take care of this before they are exported. You need a certificate to say that they have been "degassed" and therefore do not contain any airborne propellants or if not, you will need a specific licence issued by the Department of Environment and Heritage first.

Vehicles

If you are importing a vehicle of any kind, then you will have to get a permit from the Department Of Transport in Australia before beginning the process. Any vehicle that can be driven on the road has to be sanctioned in advance before you can bring it in.

Unravelling It All

There may be additional requirements, as the laws surrounding importation are typically very strict. It is best for you to consult with a customs broker first, so that you don't make any mistakes and risk fines or delays.

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12 April 2018

Calvin's Consulting Blog

Hi! My name is Calvin. If you have ever wondered if you need advice, the chances are you may have needed a consultant. For a long time, I didn't think that I needed a consultant, so I would try and solve my own problems. However, I eventually, I had to admit that there were somethings that not even I could solve. My brother recommended a very cool consultant who has helped me to get my business running by giving me some very shrewd advice. Since then, I have used consultants for everything from buying a property to considering my next business investment. I hope you find my blog useful.