Accessing ICS information
Information available from the Integrated Cargo System (ICS)
Information supplied to the department for clearance of import and export cargo is available to relevant parties on request. The department receives information through both Import and Export Declarations by either importers/exporters or service providers acting on their behalf, for example, licenced customs brokers.
The department makes a range of this information available to those who report through the ICS or to importers and exporters directly. Information is accessible through various reports available through the ICS or by requesting specific information from the GST Reports Team.
The following information is a guide for clients when considering costs and duration associated with the delivery of a requested business information product.
ICS information available to clients who have a digital certificate
Information Product | Description |
|---|
EFT Payments Summary * | For Brokers/Importers showing all payments made to the department. This report lists paid Declarations. It reports on all EFT transactions (payments and refunds) for a given period.
|
GST Deferral * | For Brokers/Importers on amounts of GST deferred. Importers use this report to reconcile their GST deferral liability against label 7 A of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Business Activity Statement.
Note: GST Deferral is stored as soon as the import document is created, and reported to ATO monthly via the ATO interface. |
Broker Importer Summary * | For Brokers This is an Agent summary report of Declarations and Amended Declarations outstanding and completed and statistical totals. This report has 5 parts. All 5 parts will be shown but brokers can select one of the parts. The parts are: - Decs Outstanding
- Decs Completed
- Amended Decs Outstanding
- Amended Decs completed
- Summary of each part
|
The following 2 reports are only available on request to:
gstreport@abf.gov.au
Import Report ** | All Importers A summary of all Import declarations lodged for or by a specified ABN for a given time period up to 4 years.. |
Export Report ** | All Exporters A summary of all Export declarations lodged for or by a specified ABN for a given time period up to 4 years. |
* Reports are available through direct access to the ICS or requesting it from your Customs Broker.
** Reports available only through a request to the GST Reports Team.
For more information on ICS reports, refer to
Module 24.
Requesting information through the ICS
The department encourages clients to obtain their reports, where possible, through the ICS. To access the ICS through the internet you must have a digital certificate and install specific software. More information is available in the
ICS section.
Requesting Import or Export information through the GST Reports Team
Clients can request Import and Export information by sending an email to
gstreport@abf.gov.au that includes the following:
- ABN
- company name
- client’s name
- contact phone number
- date range
- billing address.
Whether acting on your own behalf or on behalf of another company, you must attach an authority letter on company letterhead (that is, the letterhead of the company whose information you are accessing). This ensures that information is only provided to those persons with appropriate authorisation (according to Section 47 of the Australian Border Force Act 2015). The authority letter should contain the details included in this template.
Note: The maximum authorisation period for any individual is one year.
On receipt of your request, we will email you an invoice for A$66 per report which must be paid before a report can be issued. The A$66 charge will also apply if you request a report to confirm that you have no transactions for the period. On receipt of your payment, we will issue your report as an excel spreadsheet.
Accessing ‘Secure Web Emails’ User Guide
The department provides a secure Web Mail environment for the delivery of encrypted emails. This service ensures that your email is delivered confidentially. Below is a quick guide for clients using the system for the first time.
Secure Email User Guide
Freedom Of Information (FOI) requests
An FOI request must be lodged to facilitate any request for information not related to your importing history. If you need historical data beyond the 4-year period, you should learn more about how to make an FOI request.
Service Level
The GST Reports Team aims to process all information requests in the order they receive them, as promptly as possible. However, please note that delays in providing reports may occur during busy periods.
