Paying Customs and Border Protection invoices
Payment Options
Customs and Border Protection invoices/payment advices (invoices) can be paid in several different ways.
- Integrated Cargo System (ICS) EFT facility
- Online payment facility
- BPay (not available for ICS Air and Sea Cargo Clients)
- Automated telephone payment service (not available for ICS Air and Sea Cargo Clients)
- In person at a Customs and Border Protection client services counter
- Post in Payment (cheque or money order) (not available for ICS Air and Sea Clients)
Integrated Cargo System (ICS) EFT Facility
This facility is only available for ICS generated invoices. Customs and Border Protection debits monies direct from pre-approved Client bank accounts. If you wish to take part in this payment option you must provide Customs Cargo Support with a completed registration form and bank account details (see Direct Debit Request Form).
You can give permission for a specific invoice to be paid, using this facility, through the ICS. At midday each weekday (excluding national public holidays) Customs and Border Protection generates a bank file which lists all invoices that have been identified for payment. Westpac collects the monies from your account on the same day.
The Customs and Border Protection Online Payment facility is hosted by Westpac and is accessible from the Customs and Border Protection Internet site.
The online payment facility offers a secure and convenient way to pay your invoices. You can pay single invoices (not available for Air and Sea Cargo Clients) or you may choose to register as a regular user, which will allow you to view your account information online and structure payments according to your needs. A receipt number will be displayed at the end of the each online transaction and can be printed as a record of payment.
Clients paying an International Mail or Unaccompanied Personal Effects Duty Assessment Tax Invoice online will not be able to register as a regular user; instead you can make a payment via the single payment option.
BPay* - This option is not available to ICS Air and Sea Cargo Clients
You can contact your participating Financial Institution, either by internet or telephone, to make this payment directly from your cheque, savings or credit/debit card account.
When prompted simply enter the Biller Code and Customer Reference Number (CRN) as shown in the payment options section at the bottom of the invoice.
Please note that payments made via BPay may incur additional time delays depending on your Financial Institution and their processing timeframes.
Automated Telephone Payment Service* - This option is not available to ICS Air and Sea Cargo Clients
You can pay your Customs and Border Protection invoices over the phone by credit/debit card. Customs and Border Protection accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Simply call 1800 008 174 anytime, 24 hours per day, select option 1 and enter your Customer Reference Number (CRN) as shown in the payment options section at the bottom of the invoice.
Please note that this is an automated telephone system.
In Person at a Customs and Border Protection Client Services Counter*
You may attend a Customs and Border Protection Client Services counter with your invoice and pay using cash, money order, cheque# credit/debit card or EFTPOS;
You may post a cheque# or money order for the exact amount payable to the postal address shown on the Invoice or Payment Advice. Any discrepancies in the total amount payable may result in a delay in processing this payment. A receipt will be mailed to you.
* Customs and Border Protection pass on merchant fees (currently 0.94% for MasterCard and Visa and 1.54% for American Express) for credit/debit card payments. This fee is not subject to GST and is equal to the fee that Customs and Border Protection incurs from its banker.
# Customs and Border Protection does not accept personal cheques for the payment of an Postal Import Declaration Payment Advice.
Once received by Westpac, notification of electronic payment is sent to Customs and Border Protection’s financial system every 15 minutes (excluding a 2 hour bank processing time between 01:00-03:00 AEST).
Credit/debit card payments will be received by Westpac straight away, while BPay and direct debit (via the registered user option of the online payment facility) will be dependant on the processing timeframes of your Financial Institution.
Clients importing through International Mail: Goods are released from Customs control to Australia Post the business day following receipt of payment into the financial system.