Small customs brokerage office near a port or airport

Regular importers and exporters, wholesalers, manufacturers, and freight forwarders who outsource clearance work.

Fees per consignment and per declaration line, extra charges for permits, quarantine and after-hours work, and ongoing contracts with regular clients.

• Detailed knowledge of customs and trade rules
• Managing deadlines and shipments
• Relationship building with freight and transport firms
• Supervising staff

• A customs broker licence from the Australian Border Force is generally required, so check the current conditions and fees
• Professional indemnity, public liability and workers compensation insurance once you hire staff
• Cash flow, since you may pay duties and charges before clients pay you
• Reliance on a few big clients, which can leave you exposed if one leaves
• Rule changes in customs and biosecurity, which can affect procedures and software

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $100,000, depending on your office, equipment and team size. Use this as a rough guide and get quotes for your own plans before you commit.

A customs broker licence from the Australian Border Force is generally required, so check the current conditions and fees. Also check professional indemnity, public liability and workers compensation insurance once you hire staff.

Estimates put monthly revenue at typically around $10,000 to $40,000, depending on your client base and shipment volumes. This is revenue, not profit. The business typically needs at least 35 hours a week.