One of Adelaide's longest established freight forwarding and customs brokerage firms, providing international logistics solutions from Port Adelaide for almost 150 years.
We're one of Adelaide's longest-established freight forwarders and customs brokers. For almost 150 years, we've helped businesses of every size move goods into and out of Australia, with straight-talking, jargon-free advice.
You don't need to know the jargon. That's our job. We'll explain each step in plain English, tell you what it will cost before your goods move, and handle the paperwork for you.
George Warren Smith is licensed as a land broker and, with his brother Charles, opens for business in Port Adelaide, "attending to Customs and Forwarding or Shipping of Goods".
John Channon, who joined in 1878, becomes a partner and the firm is first registered as Smith Channon & Co. Soon after, we become telephone subscriber number 7 of just 25 in Port Adelaide.
George's son Vernon joins, and Smith Channon becomes the first customs agent to use a typewriter for customs entries.
We move into 225 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide, and we're still there today.
Brothers Harry and Arthur Hoffmann become partners in 1935, followed by Charles Grant in 1948. In 1956, the partnership becomes a private company.
Don Grant joins as a customs house clerk in 1958 and becomes Managing Director in 1980. In 1992, Don and Jan Grant become the sole owners of the business.
Our building is restored to its original stone, in keeping with Port Adelaide's heritage area, and a new floor is added for a growing team.
Customs entries move to full electronic lodgement in 1991. A decade later, we install document scanning and give every team member their own computer.
Smith Channon now trades through Autocare Services Pty Ltd, part of the Optimus Group. Our team of 18 combines almost 150 years of know-how with modern systems and a partner network in more than 90 countries.
Smith, Channon & Co. – Customs, Shipping and Commission Agents, Lipson Street, Port Adelaide. Telephone No. 7.
We get to know your business, so you can get on with running it.
We're not tied to any one shipping line, airline or delivery network, so we choose the route that gets your goods there at the best cost and in the best time.
The people moving your goods and the people clearing them work side by side, door to door.
Trusted partners in more than 90 countries mean your goods can reach almost anywhere quickly and cost-effectively.
Our clients range from small local businesses to national and international companies. We have deep experience in the automotive sector, and also look after businesses in manufacturing, industrial supply, retail and food.
Our team brings experience across customs broking, import and export freight, logistics and consulting. Trade rules change often, so our people are accredited and train continually to stay ahead of them, working closely with the government departments that set them.
Most importantly, they care. Good customer service has kept us in business since 1877.
“A customer is not dependent on us, we are dependent on them. A customer is not an interruption to our work, they are the purpose of it.”
Whether it's your first shipment or your thousandth, we'll guide you through every step, from quote to delivery.