7 Tips For Smooth Freight Customs Clearance
When it comes to importing goods into Melbourne, anything could happen. There are many difficulties and issues that could arise with customs clearance. So, how do you ensure a smooth, simple process? Below are some of the top 7 tips to increase your odds of having a good experience the first time around.
Hassle-Free Freight Customs Clearance Tips
1. Keep On Top Of Your Paperwork
As much as we all despise paperwork, making sure your paperwork is up to par is critical to ensure a fast freight customs clearance process. What could take less than 24 hours can easily take several days for your shipment to clear customs if you take too long to complete your paperwork or fill it out incorrectly.
2. Properly Seal Your Freight
One way to lengthen the time it takes for your freight to clear customs is to not accurately seal off your packages. So, seal your freight right the first time. Plus, you’re going to want your freight to arrive in one piece anyhow.
3. Know The Laws
Nobody likes rules, but when ensuring your shipment passes customs, you’re going to want to ensure your freight abides by the laws. For instance, certain items cannot pass through certain borders. Learning laws like these can make all the difference. It can save you time, energy, and money.
4. Keep Copies Of Everything
Paper sucks; we know. However, keeping copies and records of everything is critical to ensure you stay on top of your shipments. Information you should be keeping include invoices, receipts, and other vital documents. Even if you think they’re not important, they may very well play a critical role later.
5. Answer Inquiries From Customs As Soon As Possible
There may come a time when customs has a question about your shipment and/or paperwork. In the event that this happens, the best thing you can do is respond to their inquiries sooner than later and with as much honesty as possible.
Delaying or refraining from answering questions from customs can result in delayed or even denied clearance. Loss of time and money can then be a result of that.
6. Always Complete Your Invoice
Sometimes we might try to take shortcuts, but when it comes to getting freight cleared through customs, it’s not the time to be doing this.
Completing your invoice, that is, without information missing, as well as ensuring your invoice contains accurate information is absolutely critical. Otherwise, customs may delay the clearance process until you get things situated.
7. Take The Hassle Out Of Importing With A 5-Star Customs Broker
You might feel your head spinning at this point. However, the right customs broker can ensure a fast customs clearance for you by helping you avoid the frustrations and delays that often come with this process.
Conclusion
Freight customs clearance isn’t always the easiest of processes. Sometimes things can go wrong or can get delayed. But thanks to the advice above, you can better ensure your freight will clear customs easier and faster with less stress on your end.
