Forwarder or broker: who does what
A freight forwarder arranges the movement of your cargo: booking space with carriers, consolidating LCL, arranging pick-up and delivery, and handling documentation. A customs broker is licensed to lodge customs entries and deal with Customs and NAQIA on your behalf. In PNG, many firms do both, and some also run trucking, warehousing and Highlands delivery. Carriers such as Swire Shipping also offer land transport and customs clearance through their own networks.
Whether you use one provider or several, make sure someone clearly owns each handover: origin to vessel, vessel to Customs, Customs to truck. For the full shipping process, see our complete guide to shipping to Lae.
Start with the licence
Customs brokers in PNG are licensed by the PNG Customs Service under the Customs Act. To be licensed, applicants must meet eligibility requirements, complete training and pass examinations, and licences are renewed annually. Import entries can only be lodged by a licensed broker you've authorised through Form G26. Ask for the broker's licence details and check they're current. See our guide to registering as an importer for how the G26 fits in.
What to check
- Local presence in Lae. Staff who deal with SPICT, Customs and NAQIA in person resolve problems faster.
- Experience with your cargo. Food, chemicals, vehicles, mining equipment and retail goods each have their own permit and classification issues.
- Pre-arrival lodgement. Do they routinely lodge entries before the ship arrives? It's the biggest single factor in clearance speed.
- Transparent quoting. Written, itemised quotes that show origin, ocean, destination, brokerage, government charges and cartage separately.
- Inland capability. If your cargo goes to the Highlands, ask about their trucking, security and empty-return arrangements.
- Insurance and liability. Their liability terms, and whether they can arrange marine and inland transit insurance.
- Communication. Named contacts, responsive email and proactive updates when something changes.
- References. Ask for importers with cargo similar to yours.
Questions to ask before you sign up
- Are you a licensed customs broker, and who in your team holds the licence?
- When do you lodge import entries relative to vessel arrival?
- What destination charges will I pay in Lae, and which are your fees versus pass-through charges?
- How many free days will I have for demurrage and detention, and can you negotiate more?
- How do you handle NAQIA permits and inspections?
- What happens if Customs queries the classification or value?
- Who arranges Highlands delivery, and how is security managed?
- How will I receive copies of every document lodged for my records?
Red flags
- Cheap ocean freight, vague destination charges. The saving often reappears in Lae. See hidden shipping fees in PNG.
- Offers to undervalue or misdescribe goods. Penalties for incorrect declarations run from 50% to 200% of the shortfall, and it's the importer who is liable.
- Requests for cash "facilitation" payments. PNG Customs accepts duty payments electronically or by EFTPOS only. Corrupt practices can be reported to PNG Customs' internal investigations unit or the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and Customs publishes a confidential hotline.
- No written quote or no licence details.
- Reluctance to share lodged documents. You must keep import records for five years; your broker should give you copies as a matter of course.
Comparing providers fairly
Give each shortlisted provider the same scenario: cargo description, volume, origin door, destination door, Incoterm and timing. Ask for an all-in landed estimate with duty and GST shown separately as an estimate. Then compare not just price, but how thoroughly each one asked questions about your cargo. The provider who asks about permits, packaging and free time before quoting usually understands the Lae run best. Our container cost breakdown will help you read the quotes.
Building a good working relationship
Brokers can only be as good as the information they receive. Send documents early, answer queries quickly, fund duty payments promptly, and tell them about unusual cargo before it ships. Regular importers who work this way usually find their clearances become faster and more predictable over time. See our customs clearance guide for how the process works from their side.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a customs broker to import into PNG?
For commercial import entries, yes. Only a licensed customs broker authorised through Form G26 can lodge the entry in ASYCUDA World.
How can I check a PNG customs broker is licensed?
Ask the broker for their licence details and confirm with PNG Customs if in doubt. Licences are issued under the Customs Act and renewed annually.
Is it better to use one company for shipping, customs and trucking?
Often, yes, because one party owns every handover. But check each part of the service is genuinely strong, particularly Highlands transport and security.
Wade Miller
Senior Air Freight Writer, Sydney
Wade has spent more than 20 years in freight, from cargo terminal ramps to forwarding operations and customs documentation, working with importers and exporters across Australia and the Asia-Pacific. He writes practical guides on rates, paperwork and the rules that affect shipments, and reviews them against primary sources such as customs authority publications and carrier notices.
Related guides
Back to the complete guide to shipping to Lae
This guide is general information based on publicly available sources at the date shown. Rules, rates and schedules change, so confirm details with PNG Customs, NAQIA, your carrier or a licensed customs broker before you ship. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.