Reduced disposal timeframes for unclaimed imported goods: From 01 July 2022, the Australian Border Force (ABF) will introduce a shorter holding period for the disposal of imported goods that have not been claimed by the importer, or abandoned at a wharf, airport or depot.
Operators holding goods that have not been entered for home consumption (and are required to do so under the Customs Act 1901 (Customs Act) may seek approval from the ABF to dispose of the goods once two calendar months, starting from the second working day after importation, has passed.
Similarly, the ABF may give permission to dispose of goods abandoned at a customs place (for example, a wharf, airport, port or depot) after two calendar months from when the goods were found at the customs place. In some cases, permission to dispose of abandoned goods may be given within the two-calendar month period.
The ABF has issued Australian Customs Notice (ACN) 2022/29, titled New timeframes for the disposal of unentered and abandoned goods. It advises that from 01 July 2022, operators holding unentered or abandoned goods may dispose of the goods, subject to permission from the Australian Border Force (ABF), after the following time periods have passed:
- unentered goods (i.e. goods that have not been entered for home consumption or warehousing) – two calendar months from the second working day after importation,
· abandoned goods (i.e. goods that may have been abandoned by their owner and are not required, or unable to be, entered for home consumption) – two calendar months from when the goods are found at a customs place.
o If it is clear that the goods have been abandoned, the ABF may approve the disposal of
abandoned goods within the two-calendar month period.
o Evidence may be required to confirm when the goods became abandoned.
The reform has been introduced in response to industry feedback for a simpler, more streamlined approach to unentered and abandoned goods at the border. The ABF has implemented the changes in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
For depot operators, the reduction in the timeframe will mean that almost all unclaimed imported goods can be disposed of without first having to remove the goods to a warehouse under section 77P of the Customs Act.
Consistent with existing arrangements, once the two-month period has passed, industry operators may be able to donate suitable goods to charity, sell the goods to recover their costs, or destroy, recycle or re-export the goods.
For more information on this, visit the ABF website page HERE or, better still, contact here at Colless Young for a discussion about all your importing needs. Our news articles keep you continually updated with the activities of ABF (Australian Customs).
As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we professionally handle your shipping and Customs requirements, including quarantine treatments, warehousing and trucking – by airfreight and sea cargo, both import and export. We are based in Brisbane and offer a complete range of logistics services through all Australian ports and airports.
