
Self Assessed Clearances
What is a SAC (Self Assessed Clearance) Declaration?
A Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) declaration is an electronic declaration that Customs requires to clear goods imported by air and sea that have a value at or below the AUD $1000 import entry threshold.
Goods valued above the import entry threshold need to be cleared on a Formal Import Declaration. Both these methods, must be communicated through the Customs ICS System by a registered user, namely a customs broker.
As an Importer what is my role in a SAC (Self Assessed Clearance)?
Your goods must comply with the below to be eligible to be cleared as a SAC:
- The items must be under the AUD$1000 threshold.
- They must not contain words or be of a kind as outline in the “SAC Thesaurus” (items such as plants, tobacco, drugs, weapons etc).
- Documents such as Packing Declaration, Commercial Invoices, Delivery Order, Fumigation Certificate (if goods require) must be completed correctly and submitted.
Give as much notice of the impending arrival of your shipment to help curb the possibility of storage at a depot being incurred.
Why use a Customs Broker to do a SAC (Self Assessed Clearance)?
Self Assessed Clearances (SACs) must be communicated through the ICS (Customs System) by a cargo reporter. Customs brokers are registered cargo reporters and will do this in a more timely manner than anyone else.
There are two types of SACs:
Short form (which does not require a broker, only a registered communicator in ICS)
– Concessional duty rates can not be claimed if applicable, Dept. of Agriculture information can be given but processing may take longer.
Full Declaration Form (which requires Importer to be registered in ICS and a broker/forwarder)
– Concessional duty rates can be claimed if applicable, brokers can use their Dept. of Agriculture Compliance to determine if any Dept. of Agriculture processing is required.
Clearance Documentation
To ensure quick clearance of your goods you will need to provide your Customs Broker with the following documents:
- Packing Declaration
- Letter of Authority
- Commercial Invoice
- Proof of monies price paid for imported goods
- Treatment certificates, or other if required by Dept. of Agriculture (DAFF)
Further Information
Usually goods sent via Sea Freight that are low value goods (anything under the AUD $1000 threshold) will be packed in a container with lots of other goods, the container once arrived in Australia is collected by whoever is contracting the shipping container for this voyage and unpacked at a nominated depot or bond store.
This is where you will be able to collect your goods once Customs and Dept. of Agriculture Clearance is obtained. Sometimes these facilities charge storage (nominated amount per day) for goods after they have been unpacked, hence the urgency of getting your goods cleared and ready for you to collect asap.
Further reading regarding SAC Declarations: Section 71 of the Customs Act 1901
