A bonded warehouse is a secure, customs-approved facility where imported goods, such as alcoholic beverages, can be stored without immediate payment of duties and taxes. Charges are only paid when the goods leave the warehouse, helping businesses streamline administrative processes for bond.
For beverage companies, especially those dealing with alcohol, bonded warehousing is a smart solution for managing high excise duties and strict import regulations.
Mainfreight offers specialised 3rd Party Logistics and bonded warehousing services for both imported and locally produced beverages. Their facilities meet Australian Border Force compliance standards and are supported by advanced technology that ensures supply chain visibility and seamless service integration.
Mainfreight offers the following with their bonded solution:
1. Customs accreditation and compliance
Mainfreight operates licensed bonded warehouses that meet the stringent requirements set by the Australian Border Force (ABF).
These facilities enable:
- Secure storage of imported goods without the immediate payment of duties or GST.
- Greater flexibility in managing administrative processes and inventory control.
- Full compliance with regulations under the Customs Act.
- Mainfreight’s strong ATO partnership and new entity-level licence provide general movement permissions, streamlining Continuing Permission applications and speeding up new customer sales.
2. Proven experience and international infrastructure
With decades of experience in international logistics and customs brokerage, Mainfreight has a deep understanding of:
- The complexities involved in managing bonded inventory across borders.
- Seamless integration of bonded and non-bonded stock within a unified inventory system.
3. Advanced technology and systems integration
Mainfreight’s inventory management system is built to meet strict bonded warehousing requirements, offering transaction-level visibility through EDI integration. This automates bond data across key stages, from customs clearance and warehouse receipting to dispatch and re-export documentation. Key features include:
- Real-time visibility of bonded stock.
- Accurate duty and tax calculations.
- Automated compliance alerts and reporting.
- In-house system capable of tracking up to eight inventory attributes, including batch, lot, and expiry management.
4. End-to-end supply chain capability
Mainfreight delivers a fully integrated logistics solution, covering freight forwarding, wharf cartage, customs clearance, warehousing, and final-mile delivery.
In addition to operating 79G bonded warehouses, Mainfreight’s wharf facilities are licensed under the 77G depot scheme. These licensed depots allow containerised cargo to be stored temporarily under customs control, away from the wharf, until duties are paid and goods are moved to bonded storage. These depots are strictly used for holding cargo, not for unpacking, until all legislative requirements are fulfilled in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS).
5. In-house customs expertise
Mainfreight’s team of licensed customs brokers and compliance professionals provides expert guidance in:
- Managing ongoing regulatory changes.
- Minimising customers’ duty exposure.
- Strategic tariff planning and accurate product classification.
6. Strategically located bonded warehouses
Mainfreight’s 79G bonded warehouses are strategically positioned near major ports and airports across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. This network offers:
- Faster customs clearance and reduced transit times.
- Convenient access for importers and exporters.
For beverage companies balancing growth, compliance and financial expectations, a capable 3PL offering a bonded solution can make all the difference. As the sector continues to grow and demand greater supply chain agility, logistics providers like Mainfreight offer a compelling alternative to managing it all in-house. Learn more about Mainfreight warehousing services.
Mainfreight is a Silver Partner of the Drinks Association.
