Freight forwarder advertising may be misleading, Customs warns

Advertising by freight forwarders, which offers customs broking services when those forwarders are themselves unlicensed, may be misleading, the Australian Customs & Border Protection Service has said.

“This practice is of concern and may contravene the prohibitions on false and misleading representation that are set out in Australian consumer law,” Customs said.

It added that freight forwarders, or other businesses, that are not themselves licensed customs brokers can arrange for the provision of such services by a licensed broker.

“When they make such arrangements, they should not describe themselves as a customs brokerage or use similar terms that indicate that they provide customs brokerage services themselves,” the service asserted.

Consequences of producing misleading advertising could involve lawsuits and damages. A further consequence could be attention from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which can go to the courts to seek financial penalties, declarations, injunctions and orders for corrective notices.