The Solution Within: How Consultants Help You Find The Answers

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The Solution Within: How Consultants Help You Find The Answers

I am a happy retiree, but I spent thirty years working as a consultant. It was a fascinating and insightful job. It gave me the chance to see wonderful, innovative business practices that simply needed to be tweaked. At other times, I had the privilege of helping people turn around an almost impossible situation that resulted from mismanagement or bad luck. In my retirement, I have broadened my circle of friends and am surprised that many people have the misconception that a consultant is an all-knowing, all-seeing expert who has all the solutions. In my experience, people who seek a consultant already have the answers within them - they just need some confidence and organisational skills to put them in place. I hope that this blog persuades people to appreciate the value of a consultant in helping to enact solutions. After all, two heads are always better than one!

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3 Steps To Get Your Imported Products Cleared Through Customs

If you run a business and need to import some products, you need to consider some factors to ensure that they get cleared through customs. Here are some steps to follow to get your imported products cleared through customs. If you haven't done it before, it's always best to engage the services of a customs clearance service to ensure you don't end up making rookie mistakes.

Determine The Value Of The Products Being Imported

It's important that you are well aware of the value of the products you're importing. Goods below $1000 don't attract any duties or taxes, provided they are not alcohol or tobacco. For products above that amount, you will need to fill out an Import Declaration form. Licensed customs brokers will ensure that the form is properly completed and submitted through an Integrated Cargo System and may be able to pass on lower processing fees to you. Make sure you get an invoice from your vendor with a clear breakdown of all products being imported to avoid any issues at customs.

Make Sure You're Aware Of The Licensing And Permits Needed For The Products You Import

While you don't need a general import licence, certain goods may require import permits or quarantine permits, so it is important for you to identify whether your products fall in any of these categories. For example, if you are importing certain therapeutic drugs for personal or professional use, you will need to obtain special approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. A licensed customs clearance broker can help you identify all the licences, permits, safety and information checks required by the Australian government before you bring anything into the country. If you fail to follow these regulations, you may end up breaking the law and incurring hefty fines.

Check Whether The Goods You're Importing Are Subject To Certain Restrictions

Some imported products may have special restrictions before they are imported, so make sure you check this beforehand to avoid any difficulties later.  For example, if you import cosmetics, cleaning products, paints and inks that contain certain types of chemicals, then you are required to register your business with the NICNAS or risk a non-compliance notice. These restrictions can be complicated for a simple business owner, which is why a professional customs clearance agent can help you avoid any fines.

Importing products into Australia requires you to follow the rules and regulations of the country. Make sure you follow these steps diligently to avoid any hefty penalties.


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