“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”
How Long Does Customs Clearance Take in Australia?
Most customs clearances in Australia are quick: about 98% or more of the entries lodged are processed and released by customs on the same day. If customs has questions or decides to check the documents and cargo in detail, it can take a few more days. Depth Logistics usually lodges your customs declaration within 24 hours of receiving a full set of shipping documents, and if you send them before the cargo arrives we can arrange a pre-clearance so your goods can be delivered with little or no delay. We arrange customs clearance from our head office at Coolangatta, Depth Defence Logistics Centres (2DLCs) in Brisbane and Darwin and our Townsville depot.
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How we lodge customs declarations
Depth Logistics arranges customs clearance through independent licensed customs brokers who are online to the Australian Border Force Integrated Cargo System. This means customs declarations are lodged electronically.
We give priority to shipments that have already arrived over those still en route, so you avoid expensive storage charges.
How to avoid customs clearance delays
- Send your shipping documents early. With a full set of documents before the cargo arrives, we can arrange a pre-clearance.
- Allow for biosecurity. If your goods need quarantine (biosecurity) clearance, this can take another one or two days, depending on what action the authority takes.
- Pay duty and GST in advance. Before customs releases your cargo it needs payment of any import duty, GST and Electronic Entry Charges. Paying us early means we have cleared funds on hand to meet this and deliver on time.
Customs clearance in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville
Our 2DLCs and depot are at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD 4008 (Brisbane), 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT 0822 (Darwin) and 16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD 4814 (Townsville depot). If your cargo needs treatment, we can also arrange fumigation and DAFF biosecurity washing, and our trucks can deliver it once released.
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.
Customs clearance enquiries
Contact us
Call your nearest office, or reach us any hour on the 24-hour line.
24-hour line
07 3054 4670Coolangatta
Head office
2/17 Griffith St
Coolangatta QLD 4225
Postal address: PO Box 811
Coolangatta QLD 4225
Brisbane
8 Culya St
Pinkenba QLD 4008
Darwin
31 Muramats Rd
East Arm NT 0822
Townsville
16 Mackley St
Garbutt QLD 4814
Frequently asked questions
How long does customs clearance take in Australia?
About 98% or more of entries lodged are processed and released by customs on the same day. If customs has questions or checks the documents and cargo in detail, it can take a few more days.
How quickly will you lodge my customs declaration?
Usually within 24 hours of receiving a full set of shipping documents. Shipments that have already arrived are prioritised to avoid storage charges.
What is pre-clearance?
If we receive a full set of documents before your cargo arrives, we can clear it in advance so it can be delivered with little or no delay after it lands.
Does biosecurity add time to clearance?
If your goods are subject to quarantine (biosecurity) clearance, this can take another one or two days, depending on what action the authority takes.
What must be paid before customs releases my cargo?
Any import duty, GST and Electronic Entry Charges. Paying us early means cleared funds are on hand so your cargo is not held up.
Where does Depth Logistics clear cargo?
We handle customs clearance from our Coolangatta head office, our Depth Defence Logistics Centres in Brisbane and Darwin, and our Townsville depot.
