A career in Customs brokerage - Australia.

Posted by Freelancespace on April 4th, 2018

Starting off a new career or Considering a change?

When people start thinking about their lives coming out of school, it never occurs to them exactly what they want to do. Today we are going to focus on a career that is fulfilling and rewarding.  Custom brokers are essentially the back bone of the freight and shipping world. Yes you heard me right. The responsibility they carry can be that of an accountant or a solicitor. The prestige and reward also accompany that responsibility.

What does a customs broker do?

A customs broker is just like an accountant. An importer or exporter liaises through a customs broker who help them with documentation, customs acts / regulations, permits and other necessary workings of importing their goods in that certain country. Custom brokers generally need to be able to understand the customs legislation not only the domestic level but adhere also to the findings of the world trade organisation. The WTO has a list of classifications that is used when classifying the product being imported or exported into the country. Just think of a product code. This career can lead to a very prosperous outcome, but it requires hard work and a considerable amount of work experience and study.

How can you start your studying?
The first thing for you to dive into the world of customs formalities and litigations is to get a foot in the door with a reputable firm. You don’t have to highly educated and you can start as a simple customs clerk. You would be practicing how to read documentation such as airway bills , bills of lading , commercial invoices etc.  There is currently only limited training offered to aspiring custom brokers in Australia let alone Sydney. Custom broker Sydney  and Melbourne training centres started popping up first.  The next was Brisbane and South Australia to get some sort of a training centre through Tafe. This has grown though through the advancement of  the internet. Students can now log into an interface created by the training centre and start online learning. This is great for students who were from rural cities.

How long to complete studies ?

A customs brokers training would mainly have to be about 5-10 years of consistent full time work , and part time studying at a Tafe or college that is certified by the government.  Currently in Australia customs requires that every student before obtaining their license apply to be interviewed by a panel. The panel will check to see if the future broker is ready to take on his responsibilities. The student would also be required to submit a reference from their employer and certification that they have completed the course.

Tips for future Custom Brokers

Future brokers should always consider their clients. Customs broker Sydney and nationally have started to rely mostly on email confirmations from their clients, without properly identifying if the client is aware of the risks involved in imported goods.  Compliance is mandatory for custom brokers and to ensure a lengthy long term employment, always ensure that there are no run-ins with the law. If you have any sort of criminal history you will be out before you even got a foot in the door.