SCC provides a comprehensive range of services to meet all your shipping and logistics needs, including:

1. Air and Sea Freight: We offer both air and sea freight solutions for international and domestic shipments.
2. Customs Brokerage: Our experienced customs brokerage team ensures your goods clear customs smoothly and efficiently, helping you navigate complex Customs and Quarantine regulations, duties, taxes and other Border Clearance Requirements. We handle all necessary documentation and compliance to avoid delays.
3. Third-Party Logistics (3PL): SCC offers full 3PL services, including warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, and distribution. We can manage your supply chain from start to finish, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
4. Logistics Management: Our logistics management solutions are designed to optimize your entire supply chain. From freight coordination to route planning and tracking, we provide end-to-end support to ensure your goods are delivered on time and within budget.

In shipping and logistics, the shipper and consignee are key parties involved in a transaction:

1. Shipper: The party who is responsible for sending the goods. This can be the manufacturer, supplier, or seller. The shipper arranges for the goods to be transported and is usually responsible for packaging and labeling them properly.
2. Consignee: The party who is receiving the goods. This can be the buyer or recipient of the shipment. The consignee is usually responsible for taking possession of the goods upon delivery and might need to handle customs clearance and payment of import duties, depending on the terms of the shipment.

The party responsible for arranging international freight controls both the routing and costs. If your shipment is time-sensitive or high-value, it may be beneficial for you to take charge of these arrangements. We can represent you to ensure your cargo is shipped using a service that meets your delivery timelines. For more details, please contact our Sales team.

Freight can be charged based on either the actual weight or the size (volume) of the shipment, depending on which is greater.

1. Volumetric Weight: This is a way of calculating the space a shipment occupies in relation to its weight. It applies when a shipment is large but relatively light. Volumetric weight is calculated using a formula that factors in the dimensions of the shipment. If the volumetric weight exceeds the actual weight, the freight charge will be based on the volumetric weight.
2. Cubic Rate: This applies more often to sea freight, where the cost is determined by the total volume (measured in cubic meters or cubic feet) the shipment occupies in a container, rather than its weight. It is often used for large and bulky items.

At minimum, you need to ensure you have the following documents:

• Bill of Lading (sea freight) or Airway bill (airfreight)
• A commercial invoice which is in English and includes a description of each type of item, the country of origin, invoice amount and currency.
• A packing declaration and commercial invoice. You may also require an overseas fumigation certificate from an approved fumigation company, a phytosanitary certificate, a permit issued by a regional health authority, an import permit and a certificate of origin. Please contact our Sales team for further information on required documents for your shipment.
• A Certificate of Origin (COO) or Free Trade Certificate (FTA) may be required depending on the commodity and Duty Rate being Claimed.

Duty rates are dependent on the commodity of cargo being imported and its Country of Origin. Please contact our Sales team for further information on the duty rates applicable for your shipment.

Australian GST paid on imported goods can only be claimed back in an Australian GST return. If your company is registered for GST in Australia, this is a simple process. If not, please contact your business accountant for further details.

Australia is committed to protecting its agricultural industries and unique environment from exotic pests and diseases. By providing a packing declaration, you help ensure the swift clearance of your cargo while contributing to the effort of keeping harmful pests and diseases out of the country.

The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) requires a packing declaration for all sea freight shipments. This declaration must be completed by the packer of the goods on their official letterhead and should include a numerical reference to the shipment (e.g., Bill of Lading Number, Container Number, or Commercial Invoice Number).

The declaration must specify whether the container is clean and if any straw or timber has been used as packing material. Failure to provide this information may result in the container being opened and inspected at a quarantine-approved facility, causing delays and additional costs.

For frequent importers, an annual packing declaration can be arranged. Please reach out to our Sales team for more details on this option.

Yes, it is strongly recommended that all clients have insurance to cover their cargo. While we take every precaution to ensure your shipment is handled carefully, unforeseen events such as accidents, theft, or natural disasters can still occur during transit. Standard carrier liability is often limited, which may not cover the full value of your goods.

By securing comprehensive cargo insurance, you protect your shipment against potential risks and financial loss. This coverage can compensate for damages, loss, or delays, providing peace of mind that your cargo is safeguarded from unforeseen circumstances.

If you need assistance arranging cargo insurance, please contact our team for more information.

Under DDP terms, the shipper must act as the Importer of Record in Australia, making them responsible for all charges incurred locally, including import duty, GST, and government entry fees. The primary cost burden for the shipper arises from the GST. In non-DDP import scenarios, the local importer, who is usually registered for GST, serves as the Importer of Record and can claim a tax credit for the GST paid on the import, meaning it isn’t an actual cost for them.

However, under DDP terms, since the shipper is the Importer of Record and typically not registered for GST, they cannot claim an Input Tax Credit. As a result, the GST becomes an actual cost for the shipper. In Australia, GST on imports is calculated at 10% of the CIF value plus any applicable duty. Depending on the value of the goods, this GST can accumulate rapidly.

Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), an agricultural pest that can severely damage crops. These bugs tend to hitchhike on imported goods, especially during their “high-risk season,” typically from September to April, when they’re most active in the Northern Hemisphere.

Australia enforces strict quarantine measures on LCL and FCL shipments, requiring fumigation or heat treatment for high-risk cargo from certain countries. Goods such as machinery, vehicles, tiles, and some agricultural products may be targeted for treatment.

If you’re importing to Australia during the BMSB season and your cargo originates from high-risk countries (e.g., Europe, the US, Asia), you likely need BMSB fumigation. It also depends on the type of goods you’re shipping. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

No, unfortunately Southern Cross Cargo does not handle personal effects.