Almost all of the extant records prior to federation relate to bond store matters, however, file 1900/874 is addressed to the Collector in his capacity as "Registrar of Shipping".  Folios are usually attached with a steel pin but by 1900 a "Premium Hinge" is common for the bulkier files. There are many files relating to administrative and operational policy matters covering the handover of functions and implementation of Commonwealth legislation during the period 1900-1902.

The files are folded lengthwise in docket form for the period 1871 to May 1905. They are covered by a printed "file cover" which gives file number, name of the correspondent, prices, and action minutes. For the period 1905-1955 folios are attached to cardboard or paper backing sheets. Printed file covers are used from 1955.

Top numbering is a constant feature of this series. Many of the early files were top numbered as new folios were received. Later current files were top numbered at 3 or 5 year intervals.

A variety of control records were created for this series some of which were:-
? -1926 book writer and subject index
1926-1933 card writer and subject index
1934-? subject index cards only
1935- ? card writer and subject index (see1936/3060 for details) 1936- numerical register book.

Some time in 1939 files relating to immigration, emigration, passports and ships stores were transferred to the Shipping Branch registry and presumably top numbered into the "SB" series (CRSD1976). With the establishment of the Department of Immigration in South Australia in 1946, these functions were gradually absorbed by that agency in 1951.

Repairs and maintenance of the "old" Customs House are well documented in files still extant in this series.

D596 was transferred from South Australia to the ACT in November 2021.