As an international courier delivering worldwide, we are occasionally asked how long customs clearance will take. We understand how disappointing it can be for you to wait for days with your shipment notified as still in customs.
The Australian Border Force, or ABF, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) have very strict rules, customs and regulations for shipments entering Australia. You will see how many shipments get cleared in hours or a few days, but on the other hand, there are delays if important paperwork is missing, there are unpaid duties, inspections, etc.
Here we are with a detailed guide on how long does customs clearance take in Australia as per 2026 norms.
Key Takeaways
- It usually takes about 24 to 48 hours for shipments to clear customs in Australia
- If shipment is via air freight, then it will take less time for clearance as compared to sea freight.
- The inspection carried out by BAFF may delay the clearance procedure for a few more days.
- Major causes of delays- Invoice is missing, incorrect declarations provided, restricted items found, etc.
- Port congestion is another reason for delays in clearance.
- Always important to connect with a licensed customs broker to help with the clearance procedure.
How Long Does Customs Clearance Take in Australia? Standard Timelines
A great number of factors determine how long it will take to get customs cleared for your shipment. Your shipment type is important to consider. How accurate are the documents you have provided, the transportation mode selected, and how smoothly the inspection takes place, etc., are the reasons that can speed up or delay customs.
| Shipment Type | Average Clearance Time |
| Express courier parcels | A few hours to 1 business day |
| Standard international parcels | 1–3 business days |
| Air freight shipments | 1–3 business days |
| Sea freight containers | 3–7 business days |
| Shipments requiring biosecurity inspection | 5–10+ business days |
| Incomplete or flagged shipments | Several days to several weeks |
If you are shipping a regular consumer parcel and a trusted courier company is carrying it, then you can rest assured that customs clearance can be faster. Your documentation would have been submitted already, even before the package’s arrival.
More strict checking takes place for commercial shipments. As Australia is one of the major import hubs, a large number of shipments are cleared every day. So, shipping season, cargo, and staff availability are also responsible.
What Does “Customs Cleared” Mean?
When goods are imported into another country, they have to go through customs clearance, where the customs authorities review the shipment as per import rules and regulations and then give their approval for further deliveries. So, Customs Cleared is the notification you get when your shipment has been reviewed and approved for final delivery procedures.
This means that all the documentation you provided was rightly accepted, and duties and taxes are paid, so no need to hold the shipment for any other action. When you get the cleared status, then you can assure yourself that delivery might be soon.
What Happens After Customs Is Cleared?
Most of the waiting for your parcels is over after customs is cleared. After that, it all depends on how swiftly the courier company can carry out the final delivery.
After customs clearance, the shipment is handed over to:
- Australia Post
- A courier company
- A freight forwarder
- A local transport provider
The parcel may still need:
- Sorting at a logistics facility
- Transfer between warehouses
- Final-mile delivery scheduling
- Domestic transportation within Australia
Many customers worry that even after getting notified that customs is cleared, the deliveries do not happen immediately then understand that this can be the reason for the same.
What Does “Cleared and Awaiting International Departure” Mean?
This is another confusing term that makes shippers wonder about the status of their shipment. In customs and clearance tracking, this notification is provided before your shipment leaves the origin country.
This certainly indicates that the export customs have been cleared, and the cargo is waiting for the relevant vessel or transportation for departure to the receiver nation. If you are shipping to Australia from any other country, then it means that the shipment is cleared from your country and is ready to leave, not that it has arrived in Australia.
If there are delays during this time period, then the reason can be limited availability of flight capacity, port congestion, or backlogs of cargo during peak seasons.
Why Is My Package Still Not Moving After Showing “Cleared”?
If you think that after your parcel has done customs clearance, it will be delivered asap then that is not always the case. There can be several reasons for this hindrance, and thus it is important to communicate with your courier providers.
If your package shows “Cleared” but tracking is not updating, possible reasons include:
- The parcel is waiting for collection by the local carrier
- Australia Post or courier scanning delays
- Backlogs at airports or sorting facilities
- Weekend or public holiday processing delays
- Interstate transport delays
- Tracking system synchronisation issues
In some cases, parcels may even arrive before the tracking system updates properly. Give a few days but after that, communicating would be necessary.
Why Is My Customs Clearance Taking So Long? Common Causes of Delays
When you get notified that the import customs clearance started, it means that the customs authorities have initiated the clearance procedure and will be reviewing the shipment as per ABF and other regulations.
Sometimes you will see that after getting this notification, you still have to wait for many days to get the final green flag of clearance. Reason being delays during customs procedure.
Missing or Incorrect Paperwork
One of the biggest reasons for delays after the status import customs clearance started is incomplete documentation.
Common documentation issues include:
- Missing commercial invoices
- Incorrect HS codes
- Inaccurate product descriptions
- Wrong declared values
- Missing permits or certificates
- Incomplete consignee information
Even a small mismatch between shipping documents and cargo details can trigger manual reviews.
Quarantine and Biosecurity Checks (DAFF)
Many importers experience delays because of DAFF inspections.
Australia has some of the world’s strictest biosecurity regulations.
DAFF inspections are commonly triggered for:
- Wooden packaging
- Food products
- Plant materials
- Animal products
- Used machinery
- Outdoor equipment
- Soil contamination risks
Unpaid Duties and Taxes
Unpaid import charges can significantly increase customs delays for international shipments.
Some shipments cannot proceed until import duties, GST, or processing charges are paid.
Delays happen when:
- Importers are not notified promptly
- Payment information is incomplete
- Customs values are disputed
- Additional assessments are required
Port Congestion and Peak Periods
Tracking updates like cleared and awaiting international departure may remain unchanged during periods of high cargo congestion.
Seasonal demand can significantly slow down customs processing.
Common peak periods include:
- Black Friday
- Christmas shopping season
- Chinese New Year shipping surges
- EOFY sales periods
Sea freight shipments are especially vulnerable to delays caused by:
- Port congestion
- Container shortages
- Vessel scheduling disruptions
- Labor shortages
Prohibited or Restricted Goods
This is the MAJOR reason why you are seeing delays in customs clearing. If you are sending prohibited or restricted items, then obviously you will see delays as these items require further clearance and approvals.
If you are sending high-risk or restricted items like food and agricultural products, medicines, chemicals, tobacco, weapons, etc then such shipment may be kept on hold for further inspection. In most cases, it is either destroyed or returned to the sender.
How to Check Your Customs Status and Get It Done Faster
Courier companies like DTDC Australia provide you with a very efficient tracking page where you can get the current status of your shipment by just adding your tracking number. If you track your shipment through customs then you will be able to get an idea of how long the delivery takes and when you need to speak to the courier providers to get it done faster.
How to Track Your Shipment Through Customs
You can track customs progress using:
- Australia Post tracking
- Courier tracking portals
- Freight forwarder systems
- Air waybill or container tracking tools
- Customs broker updates
Common tracking statuses include:
| Tracking Status | Meaning |
| Shipment Received | Carrier has received the parcel |
| In Transit | The shipment is moving internationally |
| Arrived at Destination Country | The shipment has arrived in Australia |
| Awaiting Clearance | Customs processing has started |
| Customs Cleared | Customs approved the shipment |
| Held for Inspection | Additional checks are required |
| Out for Delivery | Final delivery is underway |
How to Speed Up Customs Clearance
It is difficult to wait for completion of customs clearance for such a long time. All these delays occur due to incorrect documentation, invoices, not paying duties, etc., and to overcome this chaos, you must:
- Provide accurate invoices and declarations
- Use detailed product descriptions
- Declare correct shipment values
- Pay duties promptly
- Avoid prohibited goods
- Use trusted courier services
- Work with a customs broker for commercial imports
- Check DAFF import conditions before shipping
When to Contact the Australian Border Force
You should contact your courier or customs broker first before contacting the Australian Border Force directly.
Consider escalating the issue if:
- The shipment has had no updates for more than 10–15 business days
- Customs requested additional information you already provided
- You received a seizure or inspection notice
- Your parcel appears lost after customs clearance
For standard postal shipments, Australia Post often acts as the primary contact point.
Factors That Affect How Long Customs Clearance Takes in Australia
Several factors influence customs processing speed:
- What types of goods are you importing
- Shipment value
- Country of origin
- Accuracy of documentation
- Whether duties or GST apply
- Biosecurity risk level
- Courier or freight provider efficiency
- Seasonal cargo volumes
- Random customs inspections
- Mode of transport
Customs Clearance: Air Freight vs Sea Freight
The shipping method plays a major role in customs clearance in Australia speed.
| Factor | Air Freight | Sea Freight |
| Speed | Faster | Slower |
| Average Clearance | 1–3 days | 3–7+ days |
| Inspection Frequency | Lower | Higher |
| Best For | Urgent shipments | Large cargo volumes |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Congestion Risk | Moderate | Higher |
Air freight shipments often clear faster because:
- Cargo volumes are smaller
- In comparison, documentation process is faster here
- It offers highly automated courier systems
Sea freight cargo can take longer due to:
- Container unpacking requirements
- Wharf processing times
- Port congestion
- Biosecurity inspections
- Multiple handling stages
How a Licensed Customs Broker Can Help You Clear Customs Faster
A licensed customs broker helps importers manage customs clearance requirements efficiently.
They can assist with:
- Preparing customs documentation
- Tariff classification
- Duty and GST calculations
- Biosecurity compliance
- Permit management
- Customs communication
- Resolving clearance issues
For businesses importing products regularly into Australia, a customs broker can reduce delays, prevent compliance problems, and improve supply chain efficiency.
This is especially valuable for:
- eCommerce businesses
- Commercial importers
- High-value shipments
- Regulated products
- Time-sensitive cargo
Tips to Get Your Customs Clearance Done Smoothly
Here are practical ways to avoid customs problems in Australia:
- Double-check invoices before shipping
- Use accurate and detailed product descriptions
- Avoid undervaluing shipments
- Confirm whether import permits are required
- Use ISPM 15-compliant wooden packaging
- Respond quickly to customs requests
- Work with experienced freight providers
- Track shipments regularly
- Avoid shipping prohibited goods
FAQ
How long does customs clearance take in Australia?
The standard clearance time is around 24-48 hours in Australia. If everything from documents to duties is correctly submitted, then this won’t take long, but errors like unpaid duties, incorrect invoices or documents, sending restricted items, all can lead to delays.
What does “customs cleared” mean in Australia?
Customs Cleared is the shipment status notification, which means that the customs authorities in Australia have approved the release of your shipment and now it can be delivered.
What does “import customs clearance started” mean?
This marks the beginning of the clearance procedure and means that customs authorities are initiating to review your shipment documents, packages, check out paid duties and other procedures.
What does “cleared and awaiting international departure” mean?
When you get notified about this, understand that the customs clearance is completed from the origin country, and the shipment is now ready for departure to the destination country.
Why is my package stuck in customs in Australia?
If your paperwork has some missing documents, if you haven’t paid duties and taxes, if you are sending prohibited items without clearance, then it will stay stuck at customs. Sometimes, peak season, carrier blockages etc can also be the reason.
Conclusion
Every year in Australia, millions of shipments are cleared by customs due to the country’s continuous imports. Therefore, if you provide everything required, then the clearance might take a day or two, but missing important paperwork or other documents, unpaid taxes, port congestion, etc., are also some other reasons for delays.
Try to provide all correct documentation and stay in contact with your courier delivery partner. DTDC Australia is an expert in customs clearance and has cleared thousands of shipments in Australia. Speak to us for more.
