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“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”
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Customs Clearance of Cargo in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville

Depth Logistics arranges customs and quarantine (DAFF) clearance of sea freight, air freight and postal cargo through our independent licensed customs brokers, who work 24 hours a day. Our cargo clearance service is available at our offices in Brisbane, Darwin, Townsville and Coolangatta (HQ), and every office is online to the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) used by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). We clear any type of cargo while minimising your import duty and taxes within the law.

Call Now: 07 3054 4670 (HQ – 24 hours)
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What our customs clearance service covers

Our tariff consultants can give technical advice on any matter concerning:

  • Customs entry compilation and lodgement
  • Formal Import Declaration (FID) handling
  • Export Declaration Number (EDN) handling
  • Quarantine clearance
  • Cargo inspections
  • Duty drawbacks
  • Duty and GST refunds
  • GST deferral
  • Landed costings

How long customs clearance takes

Customs declarations are usually lodged less than 24 hours after we receive a full set of shipping documents, and about 98% or more of entries are processed and released by Customs the same day. If we have a full set of documents before your cargo arrives, we can arrange a pre-clearance so your goods can be delivered with little or no delay after they land. Quarantine clearance can take another one or two days. Read more: How long does it take for customs clearance?

Customs clearance in Brisbane

Our Brisbane office is at our Depth Defence Logistics Centre (2DLC), 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD 4008, in the Brisbane Airport precinct and less than 1 km from the Pinkenba wharves. Because the centre operates under DAFF Approved Arrangement Q3134 and has two all-weather DAFF biosecurity washpads, a cargo fumigation pad, DAFF 14.4 rural tailgates and a container inspection stand, we can handle customs clearance, quarantine clearance and any treatment your cargo needs in one place. Air cargo handling and container packing and unpacking are also available on site.

Customs clearance in Darwin

Our Darwin office is at our Darwin 2DLC, 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT 0822, 4 km from the Darwin Port gate at East Arm. The centre operates under DAFF Approved Arrangement C1198 and has an all-weather DAFF biosecurity washpad, a cargo fumigation pad, DAFF 14.4 rural tailgates and a container inspection stand, so imported cargo can be cleared, inspected and treated close to the port.

Customs clearance in Townsville

Our Townsville office is at 16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD 4814, in the RAAF Base Townsville precinct and less than 12 km from the Port of Townsville. Like all our offices, it is online to the ICS. In Townsville we also provide mobile DAFF biosecurity washing and mobile fumigation, and our road transport fleet can deliver your cleared cargo.

Customs clearance for regular importers

For frequent importers of commercial shipments, we can tailor customs clearance services and a fee structure to suit your cargo volumes and budget. For one-off shipments, you can start your clearance online:

Why clear your cargo with Depth Logistics

  • Clearance available 24/7 through independent licensed customs brokers
  • All offices online to the ABF and DAFF Integrated Cargo System
  • Our own DAFF washing and fumigation facilities, plus SEA PREP and quarantine and biosecurity consultancy
  • Our own road transport fleet to deliver your cargo once it is released
  • Track your shipment online in myCargo, our cloud-based shipping and tracking platform
  • Customs and quarantine clearance for visiting foreign forces and their equipment
  • Depth Logistics is a Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) member and is ITAR and EAR compliant, and our integrated management systems are certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 27001:2022

Once your cargo is cleared, our trucks can collect it from the wharf or airport. Use our container cartage and road transport service, or, if it is urgent, a hotshot, Australia-wide and 24/7. For oversize and out-of-gauge cargo, see our heavy haulage service. For urgent international on-board courier jobs, we prepare the customs paperwork before departure and coordinate clearance on arrival.

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Customs clearance enquiries

Contact our cargo clearance team

Call your nearest office, or reach us any hour on the 24-hour line.

24-hour line

07 3054 4670
Request a quote

Frequently asked questions

Depth Logistics arranges customs and DAFF clearance from its Depth Defence Logistics Centre at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD, close to the Pinkenba wharves and Brisbane Airport, through independent licensed customs brokers working 24 hours a day. Call 07 3054 4670.

Yes. Our Darwin office at 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT, 4 km from the Darwin Port gate, arranges customs and quarantine clearance and is online to the Integrated Cargo System.

Yes. Our Townsville office at 16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD is online to the Integrated Cargo System and arranges customs clearance of sea and air cargo.

About 98% or more of entries are released by Customs the same day. We usually lodge your declaration less than 24 hours after receiving a full set of shipping documents. Quarantine clearance can add one or two days.

See our guide: What documents are required for customs clearance?

For a one-off sea freight shipment through our online service, attendance to customs clearance formalities is AUD $350.00 plus GST. Third-party charges such as import duty and GST, quarantine fees and road freight are invoiced separately. Regular importers can ask for a tailored fee structure.

Yes. We arrange DAFF clearance as well as customs clearance, and we have our own DAFF washing and fumigation facilities.

Yes. Our own trucks collect cleared cargo from the wharf or airport and deliver it anywhere in Australia, including urgent hotshot and air cargo runs from Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns and Darwin airports.

Yes. Depth Logistics is a Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) member, and that covers our customs and DAFF clearance of Defence and security-sensitive cargo. Our people hold Australian Department of Defence security clearances, as well as MSIC and ASIC, and we move classified and security-sensitive items in line with Defence security requirements. DISP membership is something few logistics providers hold, giving Defence and government clients extra assurance.

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