On the first day back at work after Easter, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued three Industry Advice Notices, two of which will be of general interest to Importers and Customs Brokers.
Notice 58-2024: ‘New biosecurity cost recovery charge on self-assessed clearance (SAC) declarations to start from 1 July 2024 – to be applied to the entity lodging the SAC.’ This notice follows last year’s IAN 228-2023: ‘Feedback on Self-Assessed Clearances (SAC) Cost Recovery.’ It is directed to customs brokers, importers, self-reporting importers, freight forwarders of goods AUD$1,000 or less in value.
A new biosecurity cost recovery charge will commence from 01 July 2024 – referred to as the Biosecurity Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) Charge. This charge will be applied at a set rate per SAC declaration (long and short form) for low value goods imported into Australia. Key points include:
- The proposed rate is 40 cents per declaration – the final amount will be confirmed shortly following finalisation of the estimate for SAC declaration numbers.
- It will be imposed as a government cost recovery tax – it is not a fee for service.
- The entity lodging the SAC declaration into the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) will be liable for the charge.
- The entity will be required to remit total SAC charge amounts, quarterly in arrears, to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
- Unlike the biosecurity Full Import Declaration charges, this charge is not being collected by the Australian Border Force.
A consultation cost recovery implementation statement (CRIS) to set out the context and cost recovery foundations for this charge will be released shortly. A dedicated webpage will be set up for the implementation and initial collection phase. In the meantime, previous information is available from Self-Assessed Clearances cost recovery – DAFF (agriculture.gov.au).
Notice 59-2024: Document Assessment Outside Business Hours- New Process
This notice addresses importers and customs brokers who currently lodge imported cargo documentation and wish to request an assessment outside of business hours.
DAFF’s business hours are 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Documents may be assessed outside business hours subject to acceptance of cost and officer availability.
From 08 April 2024, DAFF will implement a new process for Biosecurity Industry Participants to request document assessment outside business hours. From that date, all requests for document assessment outside of business hours are to be submitted using a new form by email.
To guarantee consideration, the request must be received before 11:00 am on the business day prior to the day you are requesting the documents to be assessed. Late submissions may not be accommodated. Talk to us at Colless Young for more information on this service.
60-2024: – available at this link: Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy – Industry focus groups.
This notice is primarily of interest to importers and accredited persons who arrange documentation for imported goods operating under DAFF’s class 19 approved arrangements, . Due to demand, DAFF are making a further session available for relevant biosecurity industry participants on this issue on Tuesday 09 April.
Also see our recent related article: Continuing Document Delays at DAFF
Colless Young is here to assist you in improving the flow-time of import document processing. As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we take care of your cargo economically and professionally. Based in Brisbane, Colless Young provides a complete range of logistics services, including clearance through customs and biosecurity (quarantine), by sea and air, at all major Australian ports and airports.
