Who needs a digital certificate?

A digital certificate will be required by any individual or organisation who will communicate directly with Customs and Border Protection electronically via the ICS.

These include:

  • service providers (e.g. brokerages, cargo reporters, freight forwarders and bureaus)
  • exporters, importers, and cargo reporters who communicate directly, and who do not use service providers to communicate with Customs and Border Protection
  • software developers (for the purpose of developing software)
  • Customs Interactive users

How many digital certificates will be needed?

All direct electronic communicators will need at least one digital certificate. The number of certificates required by a business will be dependant on the IT setup and the method of communication chosen by the organisation.
For those businesses that plan to use EDI, the software developers who supplied the EDI software will be able to provide advice and assistance.

Where do I get a digital certificate?

The Customs and Border Protection PKI framework is established under the Government’s Gatekeeper Strategy, meaning that Customs and Border Protection will only accept certificates issued by Gatekeeper accredited Certifying Authorities. The only Gatekeeper Certifying Authority is VeriSign Australia.

The cost of digital certificate will vary, depending on the type and number purchased. For full details of costs, go to the Gatekeeper Pricing section of the VeriSign website: http://www.verisign.com.au/gatekeeper/customs/pricing/index.html

http://www.cargosupport.gov.au/site/needDigitalCert.asp modified: 10 December, 2010 10:48 AM