There is no single job called an import agent in Australia. This guide explains the four roles people mean by the term, what each costs, and which one Brisbane importers need first, with a worked example.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
In short: There is no single licensed job called an import agent in Australia. The term usually means someone who helps you bring goods in, which can be a sourcing agent, a customs broker, a freight forwarder, or an importer of record service. Pick the one that matches your gap. Most Brisbane importers need a mix of all four, and the right setup depends on how much of the process you want to run yourself.
An import agent is anyone who acts for you in the import process. The label is loose. Some people use it for a customs broker. Others mean a buying agent in China. This confusion costs Aussie importers time and money, so it pays to be specific about what you actually need.
Think of it as four jobs: finding the product, moving the product, clearing the product, and legally owning the import. Different people do each job.
It depends where you are stuck. If you do not have a supplier yet, start with a sourcing agent. If you have a supplier and a finished order, you need a freight forwarder and customs broker. If you want to import without registering your own business for customs, look at an importer of record.
Brisbane importers often land goods at the Port of Brisbane at Fisherman Islands, then truck them to warehouses in places like Acacia Ridge, Pinkenba or Yatala. Choose partners who handle that route regularly. Local knowledge of terminal cut-offs, container park fees and biosecurity inspection slots saves real money.
Each role charges differently. Here is a rough guide, with the caveat that quotes vary by job size.
On top of agent fees you will pay duty, GST and the import processing charge. For the maths, try our import duty and landed cost example.
A Brisbane outdoor brand orders 500 camping chairs. The factory price is $12 per chair FOB, so $6,000. Add roughly $900 in sea freight, 5 percent duty on the customs value, and 10 percent GST on top of that. The customs broker lodges the paperwork. The freight forwarder books the container space. The sourcing agent arranges the factory inspection before the goods ship.
Four roles, one clean import. Skip the inspection or the customs broker and one mistake can wipe out the margin.
If you would rather have one team coordinate the lot, our importing from China to Australia service ties sourcing, QC and logistics together. Looking at Sydney instead? See our China sourcing agent guide for Sydney businesses. Wondering about the terminology? Our short explainer on what a buying agent is helps. And for local logistics, see how to import from China to Brisbane.
In Australia, import agent is a loose term. It can mean a sourcing agent, customs broker, freight forwarder or importer of record. Check exactly what service someone offers before you sign.
Customs brokers must be licensed by the Australian Border Force. Sourcing agents and freight forwarders do not need a single dedicated licence, although forwarders often hold industry accreditations.
No. A customs broker lodges your declaration and handles duty and GST. An import agent could be a broker, but could also be a sourcing or freight service.
Yes. Some companies coordinate all three through partners. This gives you one point of contact, but ask who is legally responsible at each step.
The rules are the same nationally. The practical differences are the port, terminal cut-offs, trucking routes and local warehouse options, so choose partners who regularly work through the Port of Brisbane.
Epic Sourcing is a product sourcing and supply chain management company with bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam and offices in five countries. We have sourced 20,000+ products for 300+ happy clients, with average savings of around 77%. Give us a bell and tell us what you want made, and we will map out the supplier shortlist, samples and freight plan with you.
