Important Things You Need to Know about Customs Declaration in Australia

As an exporter, it is your duty as well as a legal obligation to accurately declare the goods intended for export to the Australian government. Known as export declaration or customs declaration, it helps you obtain customs clearance and an important entity called the export declaration number (EDN).

Usually, the new exporters don’t have adequate knowledge about goods declaration. Even the most experienced ones may have unfamiliarity regarding some important aspects of the process. So, here is a small guide to educate you in this direction.

Customs Declaration Can be Lodged Electronically

Even though a majority of exporters file export declaration electronically, many continue to do it manually. Consequently, the latter may face inconvenience, slow processing, higher costs and many other drawbacks. Also, the chances of human errors are significantly higher.

On the other hand, doing it electronically using the Australian Border Force’s Integrated Cargo System (ICS) makes things easier. For this, you must buy an export software which supports export documentation and is compatible with the ICS.

You Can Apply for EDN and Export Permit Together

In order to save time as well as cost, you can use the Single Electronic Window (SEW) to obtain export permit and EDN together. If you export goods like eggs, fish, meat, grains and horticulture produce, you must obtain export permit from the Department of Agriculture. To makes things easier and fast for exporters, the Department’s EXDOC system operates a SEW.

Through this SEW, you can submit your request for permit as well as lodge export declaration in one go. The EXDOC connects with the ICS to fulfil the two requirements simultaneously.

You Can Amend an Export Declaration

It may happen that you missed an important goods detail while submitting the declaration. In other case, you might mistakenly provide some inaccurate data while declaring the goods. Fortunately, you can act in time and amend the declaration to avoid penalties and rejections.

If you submitted the declaration electronically, you must request for the amendment electronically only. On the contrary, you must request amendment manually, if you filed the declaration at one of the customs’ counters.

When You Must Withdraw a Declaration?

Due to some unavoidable reasons, the export of your consignment may fail to happen. In such a case, you must withdraw the export declaration. Failing to do so may draw undesirable actions. Again, you can send the withdraw notice electronically or via fax or submit it manually at a counter.

It is worth mentioning that an exporter has an additional 30 days from the mentioned date of export to ship the goods. Once the period of 30 days is over, the exporter must issue the declaration withdrawal notice within 7 days.

Submitting Declaration as a Confirming Exporter

Now, who is a confirming exporter? In simple words, any exporter may apply and obtain a confirming exporter status if he or she is uncertain about some parts of information that an export declaration must contain.

Using this status, the exporter can borrow time until the goods are finally loaded after which he or she must confirm the missing information. However, you must note that the confirming exporter status is not available for certain goods categories.

When Export Declaration Is Not Required?

There are goods in certain categories that enjoy exemption from export declaration. For example, if the total value of the goods is below AUD2000, you may get this exemption. Also, you don’t need to submit declaration for pets.

As an exporter, you can also take help of an agent to declare the goods and obtain EDN. However, there are some limits to the rights of an agent and you must know about them in advance.