The Australian Government has a number of assistance schemes operating for industry operating in overseas markets.  The Duty Drawback scheme allows exporters to claim back the duty paid on the imported components of goods when these components form part of an export product. The system is designed to reduce costs for exporters and a drawback claim can be lodged within a 4 year period from the date the goods were exported, if you have exported the time frame may still allow you to claim duty back from the Federal Government. 

Australian Customs will also allow returned goods to be entered duty free when the goods are returned in an unaltered condition, the legislation requires that the goods have not been subjected to treatment, repair, renovation, alteration or any other process, (the term, “any other process” does raise questions) the goods also have to be consigned & returned to the original exporter to gain this free status.  Customs will not allow returned goods to be entered duty free if the goods were subject to a duty drawback or refund when the goods were originally exported and will often require evidence of the original export to obtain this duty free returned goods status.    

As the year seems to be just disappearing, the freight & logistics industries is undergoing some major changes, we will endeavour to keep you informed as to these changes as the year progresses, if you do have any questions please do not hesitate in contacting us.

The Victorian Government has introduced a Bill which would require the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) to pay an annual Port License Fee (PLF) of $75 million, the Bill & fee will replace the previously proposed Labor Government Freight & Infrastructure Charge, that was to be a per container truck charge.  The PoMC has indicated it would pass on the PLF to shipping companies in the form of increased wharf, channel and other fees.  The PoMC will review the PLF along with the annual Reference Tariff Schedule increases & will introduce the new tariff & rate schedule from 1 July – how much this will add to each shipment we will have to wait & see.

All governments of today are aware of the cost of living pressures on people especially pensioners & the disadvantaged yet they continue to impose new taxes & fees that continuously drive up prices, these additional costs on both exports & imports will not assist Australian goods us as we compete in a global market place.

As of the 10^th of April 2012 ICAL’s NSW office will be open for business.

Whilst our major focus will be on the mining and related industries. The office will also be used to service the number of Sydney customers we currently handle and to develop new business with the Sydney and Hunter region.

Contact details:

8 Glenelg Street, Raymond Terrace 2324

PH: 02 4983 2390    

Indonesia has now ratified the AANZFTA and from 10 January 2012, Indonesia will become part of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that includes Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The AANZFTA requirements will now be in place for all 12 signatory countries.

The requirements for Indonesia are similar to those for most AANZFTA countries and to obtain duty free import status from Indonesia a valid Certificate of Origin must be obtained from the Indonesian Ministry of Trade to take advantage of a duty free status. 

The AANZFTA does not cover all products & there is a schedule of goods that still attract customs duty or excise, if you require further information on what may or may not be included, please contact us directly.

For further detail, on any of the above please email info @ ical.com.au.

Are you paying Customs duty on imported product no Australian manufacturer can produce. The Tariff Concession System allows for goods to be imported duty free if substituitable goods are not made in Australia. For details please contact stephen@ical.com.au or call +613 9335 2566.

The Federal Government has announced that the free trade agreement with South East Asian countries (ASEAN) will begin on January 1, 2010. The countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the Philipines and Vietnam.

Australian Customs have reduced duty rates for specific industries as of January 1. We have a Customs Bonded warehouse at Tullamarine that can store imports until post January which could save you a considerable amount of duty. An example is general clothing has a phasing rate of duty from 17.5% to 10% from January 1, 2010. Please contact us directly to confirm whether your imports are affected.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have determind that all people involved in any capacity in the processing or handling of cargo detined for export by sea need to complete training specific to their function prior to January 1. AMSA has cast a wide net with regards to people that need to be trained so please have a look at www.amsa.gov.au for further detail.

Australian Quarantine have advised Plywood & Veneer packaging material will no longer need to be declared as timber for all FCL and LCL sea freight shipments. Newly Manufactured Plywood declarations will no longer be required. If plywood, veneer or MDF have been used as packaging material the Packing Declaration question has Timber Packaging” been used, should now be answered “NO”.