The Consequences

The legal requirements of Customs/AQIS is that goods are delivered to the address on the customs declaration; not to ant other address. The logic is:

a) Customs have screened the cargo and approved deliver on the basis of the supplier name and address, and the consignee name and address.                                                                                                                                                       

- Delivery to another address without submitting the Customs declarartion with the revised address is illegal.

- Resubmitting the declaration with a change of address can result in the declaration going redline thus causing delays and costs.

Why? Late changes to delivery address is one technique used by importers of contraband or smuggled goods. Unpacking can be done without the usual oversight.

It is not up to the importer or Customs Broker to make a judgement that a change of address is OK.

Clearly, if Customs find goods are being delivered to an address other than that on the Customs declaration they will not view this as a trivial matter.

b) AQIS have similarly approved delivery to the nominated address.

- Delivery to another address has the potential to change the inspection requirements - tailgate only, unpack and inspect, etc.

Similarly, it is not up to the importer or the Customs Broker to make a judgement as to whether a change of address is significant from AQIS's perspective.

Action. You, the importer, need to decide upfront as to where delivery will be.

If you have goods delivered to an address other than that on the import declaration you leave yourself open to action by Customs and/or AQIS.

If the declaration is resubmitted with a change of address there is the likelihood of delays and costs.