Difference Between Custom Broker And Freight Forwarder

The job might be the same but both the customs broker and freight forwarder have important roles to play to make sure that the shipments have arrived on time in Sydney maintaining the economic attribute for the convenience of the clients.
The customs brokers are responsible for handling the paper works necessary for importing the goods to Sydney, on the other hand, the freight forwarder takes care of the goods transportation.

When the goods are imported into Australia having value more than AUS$1,000, almost every importer of these goods have to pay taxes and duties. As per the professional responsibility, a customs broker in Sydney handles preparing and clearing a customs entry just as a ship arrives right at the port of entry. The appointed custom broker prepares the documents and the necessary form as well as preparing the electronic invoices and transfer bills. 

    • Calculating the taxes, payable fees, and the duties
    • Dispatching the goods for final delivery
    • Duty drawback
    • Customs bond
    • Goods Certification
    • Reconciliation

They are even termed as custom clearance agents as they are responsible for handling every sea freight, even air freight, and shipments of parcel post. Based on the goods type, a customs broker in Sydney will enter into a liaison with the government agencies for dealing with the safety of the product, agriculture, and drug administration. In case, the goods are subjected to biosecurity import conditions, then the custom brokers organize the import permit that could take about twenty working days. The authorities have the right to either destroy or export them if they find the goods have arrived without a permit.

When Should You Take Help from Custom Brokers?

As international trade is too complicated, hence several businesses prefer to involve the custom brokers since they are experts. A lot of mistakes are bound to occur when the individuals try self-clearing the goods. Thus, as recommended by the Australian Border Force, both the first time and the frequent importers have to take help from the licensed customs broker in Sydney for clearing their goods. It is a rule in Sydney,  Australia as that the customs brokers have to undergo a process to become licensed so the businesses and individuals can seek their help as nominee broker.

What at the Responsibilities of a Freight Forwarder?

The freight forwarders organize the logistics and goods transportation across international borders. They are the agents for moving the cargo to its final destination from its very origin within the period as requested by the clients. Often they will find out a solution for solving the occurring problems with a shipment.

The freight forwarders advise the shippers about :

    • Freight Costs
    • Insurance Costs
    • Port Charges
    • Special Documents’ Costs
    • Terminal Handling Fees

The contracted shipping terms are checked by the freight forwarders. It determines the buyer's and sellers' responsibilities for goods delivery.  Intercoms and the standard international trade definitions are useful to the worldwide shippers for reducing the disputes and misunderstandings. The freight forwarders recommend the exact transaction terms.

While the customs broker in Sydney take care of the customs entry of goods, the freight forwarders organize the goods transportation. To save time and money, the wise move is choosing a company offering both the services so that very company finely handles the import and export requirements.  Both the custom broker and the freight forwarder offer attention to details since one mistake could delay clearance and bring about unnecessary duty costs and freight.

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