Customs Clearance Documents Required in Australia

Customs clearance is required for imports and exports. To prepare an import declaration we usually need the bill of lading or air waybill, the supplier’s commercial invoice and a packing list, plus a certificate of origin, marine insurance certificate and biosecurity treatment certificates where they apply. To prepare an export declaration we need the vessel or flight details and the export invoice. Depth Logistics can arrange customs clearance of your cargo via our independent licensed customs brokers, who are working 24hrs.

Last updated: October 2026

Documents required for imported cargo

• Bill of lading (sea freight) or air waybill (air freight): issued by the carrier, showing details of the cargo and the ship or aircraft that is transporting it.
• Supplier’s commercial invoice: evidence of the price paid for the goods and their value, used to calculate import duty and GST.
• Certificate of origin: if your cargo is imported from a country that has a free trade agreement with Australia, your supplier needs to provide a certificate of origin so that duty-free concessions can be claimed. If this document is not available, or your goods come from a country with no free trade agreement, import duty might be payable.
• Marine insurance certificate: if your cargo is insured.
• Packing list.
• Treatment certificates and declarations for quarantine clearance: for goods that might be used or of plant or animal origin, to avoid treatment and inspections on arrival. These include a packing declaration, fumigation certificate, heat treatment certificate or biosecurity import permit.
• Australian Business Number or photo ID: if you are a commercial importer we need your ABN; if the shipment is a personal importation we need photographic identification.

Documents required for exported cargo

• Sea freight: the vessel name and voyage number.
• Air freight: the flight number and departure date.
• The export invoice for the goods.

You can also lodge an online export declaration.

Documents at a glance

Where we clear cargo

Depth Logistics handles customs clearance from our Coolangatta head office, our Depth Defence Logistics Centres in Brisbane and Darwin, and our Townsville depot.

A general guide only

This is a general, non-exhaustive shipping documents guide. Contact us for specific advice about the goods you are importing or exporting, so you can be sure you have everything you need.

Frequently asked questions