Customs Agency Services in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: July 2023
ANZSIC I5291Revenue
$1.5bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
3,247
Businesses
675
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Customs Agency Services in Australia industry analysis
Demand for customs agency services is closely tied to Australia's trade patterns. Growing trade volumes in recent years have driven the industry's expansion. Industrywide revenue has been growing at an anticipated annualised 1.6% over the past five years and is expected to total $1.5 billion in 2023-24, when revenue falls by an estimated 4.7%. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected air freight and sea trade volumes over the two years through 2020-21, hampering demand for customs agency services. However, trade volumes resurged as port congestions and supply chain disruptions eased. Imports have been supported by soaring online shopping activity. Rising demand has supported profitability in recent years. However, intensifying competition has meant that gains from efficiency improvements have mostly been passed on to customers, limiting profitability growth.Customs agents act on behalf of third-party importers or exporters to facilitate customs approval processes. Industry participants ensure a smooth flow of goods through the nation's shipping ports and airports. The industry's primary service is providing import clearance, accounting for over 80.0% of revenue in the current year. Australia's imports have grown fairly steadily in recent years, despite a minor slump caused by pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions. Exports have surged recently, but much of this growth has been from mined commodities, which are typically exported by mining companies that bypass the industry through in-house customs services. Automation and digitisation of many customs broker services have lifted the industry's labour productivity in recent years. Relatively low start-up costs have encouraged new firms to join the industry, contributing to a growing number of enterprises.Customs agents are anticipated to diversify their range of products and services over the coming years, mirroring trends in the wider logistics sector. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualised 1.3% over the five years through 2028-29 to total $1.6 billion. This growth will be driven by the projected increase in the value of Australia's merchandise trade. Free-Trade Agreements and changing customs legislation are anticipated to drive demand for customs agency services. Customs agents will continue improving productivity through ongoing IT improvements, like electronic document preparation.
Trends and Insights
- Strong growth in import volumes is driving the industry's steady expansion. Furthermore, increasingly complex regulations for imported products have allowed customs agents to charge higher prices for customs clearance and reporting services.
- The services operators offer in the Customs Agency Services industry can be segmented into import and export clearances. Import clearances dominate the industry due to the higher level of regulation required to import into Australia.
- The Customs Agency Services industry is heavily concentrated in the eastern states, which have large general cargo ports and airports. Over 80.0% of industry establishments are located in Victoria, New South Wales or Queensland.
- Customs agents primarily compete in terms of price and quality of service. The scope of operations is also a significant basis of competition, with companies seeking to cater to clients transporting goods from various countries.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.5bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Declines in Australia's manufacturing sector have bolstered demand for customs agency services
- Import clearances are expected to generate over 80.0% of industry revenue in the current year. Importers engage customs brokers to help process the appropriate paperwork to ensure that import licences are quickly approved, and tariff payments are made.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Intensifying competition from integrated logistics firms will constrain price growth
- Industry profitability is set to inch downward over the coming years due to intensifying price competition, particularly from integrated logistics firms expanding into customs agency services.
Biggest companies in the Customs Agency Services in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Customs Agency Services Pty Ltd | 45.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Sea cargo reporting, Air cargo reporting and Export clearance. Sea cargo reporting is the largest segment of the Customs Agency Services in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Demand for sea cargo reporting dipped amid the pandemic-induced global shipping crisis
- Sea cargo reporters prepare documents to submit to customs, detailing freight to be imported by sea to Australia.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- International Airlines in Australia
- Stevedoring Services in Australia
- Rail, Air and Sea Freight Forwarding in Australia
- Water Freight Transport in Australia
International industries
- Freight Forwarding Brokerages & Agencies in the US
- Freight Packing & Logistics Services in the US
- Third-Party Logistics in the US
- Product Returns Management Services in the US
- Freight Forwarding Brokerages & Agencies in Canada
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry operators primarily provide customs services. These services include customs clearance and documentation preparation for imports and exports, but exclude freight forwarding, border control and surveillance.
What's included in this industry?
Sea cargo reportingAir cargo reportingExport clearanceCompanies
Customs Agency Services Pty LtdPurchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRSINTEGRATED CARGO SYSTEMELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI)Industry Code
ANZSIC 5291 - Customs Agency Services in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Strong growth in import volumes is driving the industry's steady expansion. Furthermore, increasingly complex regulations for imported products have allowed customs agents to...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The services operators offer in the Customs Agency Services industry can be segmented into import and export clearances. Import clearances dominate the industry due to the hi...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Customs Agency Services industry is heavily concentrated in the eastern states, which have large general cargo ports and airports. Over 80.0% of industry establishments a...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Customs agents primarily compete in terms of price and quality of service. The scope of operations is also a significant basis of competition, with companies seeking to cater...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The Customs Agency Services industry has no major players, as no company accounts for over 5.0% market share. The industry is highly fragmented, with a large number of small ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Customs Agency Services Pty Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Customs Agency Services Pty Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Department of Home Affairs licenses customs agents. There are three categories of customs broker: corporate, sole trader and nominee. The central requirements for all thr...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The industry has a large number of owner-operators that draw income from profit rather than wages. As a result, average profit margins are inflated, while wages are under-rep...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia is $1.5bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Customs Agency Services in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 675 businesses in the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Customs Agency Services market in Australia?
The biggest company operating in the Customs Agency Services market in Australia is Customs Agency Services Pty Ltd
What does the Customs Agency Services in Australia include?
Sea cargo reporting and Air cargo reporting are part of the Customs Agency Services industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Customs Agency Services in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Customs Agency Services Pty Ltd.
How competitive is the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Customs Agency Services industry in Australia.
