Austral-Asia Freight, an Australian-owned international freight forwarder and customs broker, is marking 30 years in operation, with a continued focus on commercial imports and growing trade between India and Australia.
Established in 1996, the company arranges the transportation of goods from overseas, clears them through Customs and delivers them to clients across Australia. Its primary focus is on commercial imports rather than personal consignments.
India has become an important corridor. Trade between Australia and India has steadily grown in recent years, with India now the leading source of new migrants to Australia. Shipping, however, presents its own challenges. There are currently no direct sailings from India to Australia, with most containers transhipped through Singapore or Port Kelang before being transferred to vessels bound for Australian ports.
“One day there will be direct sailings from India to Australia which will shorten transit times and that will be good for business,” the company states. “For now we have to settle on the transhipment service and the transit time should be around 30 days.”
For importers without sufficient cargo to fill a full container, alternative options are available. Airfreight is priced by weight, or by volumetric weight when goods are light but bulky. Less than container load seafreight, known as LCL, allows customers to pay by weight or cubic measurement. The company loads weekly LCL consignments from Mumbai to Australia and says the cargo remains in the same container throughout the journey.
“Other freight forwarders are unpacking their containers at Singapore but our cargo stays in the same container all of the way. This means your goods don’t get double handled and the transit time is faster,” it states.
The company also handles freight from other international origins, though India remains a central focus.
Managing Director Jeff Harrod points to the company’s local structure as a defining feature. “Being Australian owned and operating since 1996 definitely counts for something,” he says.
He notes that international operators have entered the Australian freight market and that some providers rely on offshore services to process documentation and arrange deliveries.
“Many Forwarders and Customs Brokers are now using offshoring services to handle and process their documents, arrange deliveries and even sales generation,” Mr Harrod says.
He adds that data security and intellectual property protection are increasing concerns for businesses engaged in international trade.
“One of the biggest risks to businesses in today’s world is data and intellectual property theft. If your competitors or an offshore company gain access to your company or your suppliers data, the results can be devastating to your business,” he says.
“As a Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker we are privy to your confidential information. You can be comfortable in the knowledge that at AAF, all our work is carried out in Australia by our own staff,” Mr Harrod says.
“We won’t compromise our service or your information and we won’t offshore our responsibilities!”
“As a Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker we are privy to your confidential information. You can be comfortable in the knowledge that at AAF, all our work is carried out in Australia by our own staff”
— Jeff Harrod, Managing Director
Austral-Asia Freight’s operations cover customer service, imports, customs, local transport and accounts. Services include monitoring and checking orders, reviewing vessel and flight options, arranging bookings, and providing online tracking with live information. Status reports can be sent daily or weekly, depending on client requirements.
On the compliance side, the company reports manifest details to Customs, contacts shipping lines to confirm vessel connections and chases clearance documents from consignees or suppliers. It also provides advice on Customs and quarantine clearance and tariff matters, noting that duty does not apply to all commodities or countries.
Once shipments are cleared and available, local transport can be arranged promptly. The company handles LCL, full container load and airfreight deliveries and works with clients on specific delivery requirements, including timing and access outside normal hours.
Mr Harrod attributes the company’s longevity to experience and staff capability.
“Having highly skilled and experienced staff is the key to our consistent and reliable service,” he says.
He says the business maintains a long-term approach with both employees and clients.
“If you decide to work with us you will be working with good local people who know what they are doing. Service counts!”
For more information, visit AAF
Melbourne Head Office
| Austral-Asia Freight Pty Ltd
Address: |
| Phone | +61 3 9328 3833 | or | 1800 737 010 toll-free for interstate callers |
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