Explanatory Memorandum
Circulated By Authority of the Minister for Home Affairs, the Honourable Bob Debus MpSCHEDULE 1 - AMENDMENTS
Part 1 - Chilean originating goods
Customs Act 1901
Item 1 After Division 1E of Part VIII
9. This item amends the Customs Act 1901 (the Customs Act) by inserting new Division 1F into Part VIII. New Division 1F is headed Chilean originating goods and sets out the rules for determining whether goods are Chilean originating goods and therefore eligible for a preferential rate of customs duty under the Customs Tariff Act 1995 (the Customs Tariff Act). These rules are being inserted to give effect to the Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (the Agreement), in particular Chapter 4 of the Agreement.
10. New Division 1F contains six subdivisions which are set out below.
Subdivision A - Preliminary
11. Subdivision A contains a simplified outline of Division 1F and contains the interpretation provision for Division 1F.
Section 153ZJA Simplified outline
12. New section 153ZJA sets out a simplified outline of each of the subdivisions B to G of new Division 1F.
New section 153ZJB Interpretation
13. New subsection 153ZJB(1) sets out several new definitions for the purposes of Division 1F. These definitions are:
Agreement which means the Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement done at Canberra on 30 July 2008, as amended from time to time. The Note to this definition indicates that in 2008, the text of the Agreement was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII Internet site;
Australian originating goods which means goods that are Australian originating goods under a law of Chile that implements the Agreement;
Certificate of Origin which means a certificate that is in force and that complies with the requirements of paragraph 2 of Article 4.16 of the Agreement. Article 4.16 sets out the matters that are to be included in a Certificate of Origin;
Chilean originating goods which means goods that, under this Division, are Chilean originating goods;
composite goods which has the same meaning as it has in the Agreement. Composite goods are goods that can be made up of two or more different components to form a whole. This term is relevant for the purposes of new subsection 153ZJE(10) of the Customs Act which sets out the rule for determining when composite goods are Chilean originating goods;
Convention which means the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System done at Brussels on 14 June 1983, as in force from time to time. The Note to this definition indicates that in 2008, the text of the Agreement was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII Internet site;
customs value, of goods, which has the meaning given by section 159. In most cases it will be the transaction value but there are other methods if this value cannot be ascertained;
Harmonized System which means the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (as in force from time to time) that is established by or under the Convention.
The Harmonized System (HS) is the worldwide classification system that has been adopted by all countries that are members of the World Customs Organization. In Australia, the HS has been adopted in the Customs Tariff Act. The HS organises goods according to the degree of manufacture, and assigns classification numbers to all goods. It is arranged into 96 chapters covering all goods, and each chapter is divided into headings, subheadings, and tariff classifications. Under the HS, the chapter, heading, and subheading numbers (6 digits) for any good are adopted in any country using the HS. The Australian Customs Tariff is an 8 digit classification, with the 4 and 6 digit international classification supplemented for the domestic imposition of Customs duties.
indirect materials which means;
- a.
- goods or energy used in the production, testing or inspection of goods, but not physically incorporated in the goods; or
- b.
- goods or energy used in the maintenance of buildings or the operation of equipment associated with the production of goods;
including:
- c.
- fuel (within its ordinary meaning); and
- d.
- tools, dies and moulds; and
- e.
- spare parts; and
- f.
- lubricants, greases, compounding materials and other similar goods; and
- g.
- gloves, glasses, footwear, clothing, safety equipment and supplies; and
- h.
- catalysts and solvents;
Interpretation Rules which means the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System provided for by the Convention;
non-originating materials which means goods that are not originating materials;
originating materials which means;
- a.
- Chilean originating goods that are used in the production of other goods;
In some circumstances, in order to determine whether goods that are imported into Australia are Chilean originating goods, and therefore eligible for a preferential rate of customs duty, it may be necessary to have regard to the goods from which the final goods are produced (see Subdivisions C and D). These goods which are used to produce other goods can be originating or non-originating.
Originating materials are those goods that are used to produce other goods and that are also Chilean originating goods, which means that in their own right, they satisfy the requirements of new Division 1F. Non-originating materials are goods that are not originating materials because they do not satisfy the requirements of Division 1F in their own right. For example, where frozen crumbed fish fillets are made in Chile from fish caught in Chile, coated with herbs and spices imported from Thailand, the fish would be originating materials and the herbs and spices would be non-originating materials; or
- b.
- Australian originating goods that are used in the production of other goods
If goods used in the production of other goods are Australian originating goods under a law of Chile that implements the Agreement, they are also originating materials for the purposes of new Division 1F; or
- c.
- indirect materials.
person of Chile which means person of a Party within the meaning insofar as it relates to Chile, of Article 2.1 of the Agreement. In Article, 2.1, person not only includes natural persons but also bodies corporate and other types of associations;
produce which means grow, farm, raise, breed, mine, harvest, fish, trap, hunt, capture, gather, collect, extract, manufacture, process or assemble;
territorial sea which has the same meaning as in the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973. This definition is taken from Articles 3 and 4 of UNCLOS which provides as follows:
Every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with this Convention.
The outer limit of the territorial sea is the line every point of which is at a distance from the nearest point of the baseline equal to the breadth of the territorial sea.
territory of Australia which means territory within the meaning, insofar as it relates to Australia, of Article 2.1 of the Agreement. In Article 2.1, territory in relation to Australia includes Australia's territorial sea, contiguous zone and the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf but does include Australia's external territories except Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Island and the Coral Sea Islands.
territory of Chile which means territory within the meaning, insofar as it relates to Chile, of Article 2.1 of the Agreement. In Article 2.1, territory in relation to Chile includes the land, maritime and air space under Chile's sovereignty and the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf within which Chile exercises sovereign rights in accordance with international law and its domestic law.
14. New subsection 153ZJB(2) provides that the regional value content of goods for the purposes of Division 1F is to be worked out in accordance with the regulations. The regulations may prescribe different regional value content rules for different kinds of goods.
15. New subsection 153ZJB(3) provides that the value of goods for the purposes of Division 1F is to be worked out in accordance with the regulations and that the regulations may prescribe different valuation rules for different kinds of goods. The value of goods is relevant, for example, in determining whether goods satisfy the de minimis requirement in s.153ZJE(4). The value of goods is to be distinguished from the customs value of goods which is to be worked out under section 159 of the Customs Act.
16. New subsection 153ZJB(4) provides that in specifying tariff classifications for the purposes of Division 1F, the regulations may refer to the Harmonized System. The product specific rules in Annex 4-C of the Agreement refer to tariff classifications of the Harmonized System.
17. New subsection 153ZJB(5) provides that subsection 4(3A) of the Customs Act does not apply for the purposes of Division 1F. Subsection 4(3A) provides that reference in the Customs Act to the tariff classification of goods is a reference to Schedule 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, which is not the case in new Division 1F.
Subdivision B - Wholly obtained goods of Chile
18. Subdivision B sets out the rules in relation to goods that are wholly obtained of Chile.
19.
Section 153ZJC Goods wholly obtained in Chile
20. New subsection 153ZJC(1) provides that goods are Chilean originating goods:
- a.
- if they are wholly obtained in Chile; and
- b.
- the importer has, at the time of importation of the goods, a Certificate of Origin, or a copy of one, for the goods.
21. New subsection 153ZJC(2) provides that goods are wholly obtained in Chile if, and only if, the goods are:
- a.
- minerals extracted in or from the territory of Chile; or
- b.
- goods listed in Section II of the Harmonized System that are harvested, picked or gathered in the territory of Chile. These goods include all plants, fruit, vegetables and fungi; or
- c.
- live animals born and raised in the territory of Chile; or
- d.
- goods obtained from live animals in the territory of Chile; or
- e.
- goods obtained from hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering, capturing or aquaculture conducted in the territory of Chile; or
- f.
- fish, shellfish or other marine life taken from the high seas by ships that are registered or recorded in Chile and are flying the flag of Chile; or
- g.
- goods obtained or produced exclusively from goods referred to in paragraph (f) on board factory ships that are registered or recorded in Chile and are flying the flag of Chile; or
- h.
- goods taken from the seabed, or beneath the seabed, outside the territorial sea of Chile:
- (i)
- by Chile; or
- (ii)
- by a person of Chile;
- but only if Chile has the right to exploit that part of the seabed in accordance with international law; or
- i.
- waste and scrap that has been derived from production operations in the territory of Chile, or from used goods collected in the territory of Chile, and that are fit only for the recovery of raw materials; or
- j.
- goods obtained or produced entirely in the territory of Chile exclusively from goods referred to in paragraphs (a) to (i) or from their derivatives. For example, pork sausages that are made from pigs born and raised in Chile and cereals and spices harvested in Chile will be Chilean originating goods.
Subdivision C - Goods produced in Chile from originating materials
22. Subdivision C sets out the rule in relation to goods that are produced entirely in the territory of Chile from originating materials only under section 153ZJD. Such goods are Chilean originating goods where the importer of the goods has, at the time the goods are imported, a Certificate of Origin, or a copy of one, for the goods.
Subdivision D - Goods produced in Chile, or Chile and Australia, from non-originating materials
23. Subdivision D sets out the rules for determining whether goods that are produced entirely in Chile, or entirely in Chile and Australia, from non-originating materials only, or from non-originating materials and originating materials are Chilean originating goods.
24. New subsection 153ZJE(1) provides that goods are Chilean originating goods if:
- a.
- they are classified to a heading or subheading of the Harmonized System specified in column 1 of the table in Schedule 1 to the Customs (Chilean Rules of Origin) Regulations 2008 (the Chilean Regulations); and
- b.
- they are produced entirely in the territory of Chile, or entirely in the territory of Chile and the territory of Australia, from non originating materials only or from non originating materials and originating materials; and
- c.
- each requirement that is specified in the regulations to apply in relation to the goods is satisfied; and
- d.
- the importer of the goods has, at the time the goods are imported, a Certificate of Origin, or a copy of one, for the goods.
25. The table in Schedule 1 to the Chilean Regulations will incorporate the product specific rules relating to change in tariff classification, regional value content and other rules for the purpose of determining whether goods are Chilean originating goods. Column 1 of this table will set out the tariff classifications, column 2 will set out the description of the goods and column 3 will set out the product specific rules.
26. New subsection 153ZJE(2) refers to the first of the requirements that may be specified in Schedule 1 to the Chilean Regulations. It provides that the regulations may specify that each non-originating material used or consumed in the production of the goods is required to satisfy a specified change in tariff classification.
27. New subsection 153ZJE(3) provides that the regulations may also specify set out when a non-originating material used or consumed in the production of the goods is taken to satisfy the change in tariff classification. Regulations made under these heads of power would include provisions to give effect to the cumulation provision contained in Article 4.4 of the Agreement, and would apply where the non-originating materials that are used or consumed in the production of the good do not satisfy the change in tariff classification.
28. The concept of the change in tariff classification only applies to non-originating materials. Goods that have been sourced from outside Chile or Australia and that are used in the production of other goods are non-originating materials. Goods sourced from within Chile or Australia that have not fulfilled the requirements of Division 1F and that are used in the production of other goods are also non-originating materials. All non-originating materials used to produce other goods may not have the same classification under the Harmonized System as the final good into which they are produced. This means that the goods must be classified under one tariff classification before the production process and under a different tariff classification after the production process. This approach ensures that sufficient transformation of materials has occurred within Chile, or Chile and Australia, to justify the claim that the goods originate in Chile.
29. For example, frozen fish fillets (HS 0304) are produced from fish caught in Chile and combined with herbs and spices from Thailand (HS 0907 - 0910) to make crumbed fish fillets (HS 1604). The applicable tariff change for crumbed fish is "a change to heading 1604 from any other chapter". As the herbs and spices are classified to Chapter 9, these non-originating materials meet the tariff change requirement (the fish is the produce of Chile and is therefore an originating material and is not required to change its classification).
30. In order to determine which is the applicable change in tariff classification, the tariff classification of the final goods and each of the goods that are non-originating materials used in the production of the goods needs to be known.
31. New subsection 153ZJE(4) provides that the change in tariff classification is also taken to be satisfied if the total value of all of the non-originating materials used in the production of the goods that do not satisfy the particular change in tariff classification of the goods does not exceed 10% of the customs value of the goods.
32. The provisions of subsection 153ZJE(4) incorporate the de minimis provisions that are set out in Article 4.5 of the Agreement. Therefore, even if all the non-originating materials used to produce a final good do not satisfy a particular change in tariff classification, the final goods may still be Chilean originating goods because the change in tariff classification will be taken to be satisfied.
33. The value of non-originating materials for the purposes of this section is to be worked out in accordance with the method that will be included in the Chilean Regulations.
34. New subsection 153ZJE(5) provides that the regulations may specify that the goods are required to have a regional value content of at least a specified percentage. The regional value content for Chile is 40%. The method of calculation to determine the regional value content will be included in the Chilean Regulations.
35. New subsection 153ZJE(6) provides that if:
- a.
- the goods are required to have a regional value content of at least a particular percentage; and
- b.
- the goods are imported into Australia with accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources; and
- c.
- the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources are not invoiced separately from the goods; and
- d.
- the quantities and value of the accessories, spare parts or tools are customary for the goods; and
- e.
- the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources are non-originating materials;
then the regulations must require the value of the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources to be taken into account as non-originating materials for the purposes of working out the regional value content of the goods. Without this provision, the value of accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources would not normally form part of the value of materials that are used in the production of the underlying goods.
36. The Note to this section indicates that the value of the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources is to be worked out in accordance with the regulations.
37. New subsection 153ZJE(7) provides that for the purposes of subsection 153ZJE(6), section 153ZJG is to be disregarded in working out whether the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources are non-originating materials.
38. New subsection 153ZJE(8) provides that subsections (2) and (5) do not limit paragraph (1)(c). It is proposed that the regulations will include other requirements in addition to change in tariff classification and regional value content requirements.
39. For example, in addition to meeting a tariff change requirement, in respect of textile articles classified in the headings of Chapter 63 of the Harmonized System where the starting material is fabric, the fabric must be raw and fully finished in Chile or in Chile and Australia.
Goods put up in a set for retail sale
40. New subsection 153ZJE(9) sets out the originating rule that applies to goods that are put up in a set for retail sale and are classified in accordance with Rule 3 of the Interpretation Rules. Such goods are Chilean originating goods only if:
- a.
- all of the goods in the set, considered individually, are Chilean originating goods under Division 1F; or
- b.
- the total value of the goods in the set that are not Chilean originating goods under Division 1F does not exceed 25% of the customs value of the set of goods.
This means that, even though under Rule 3 of the Interpretation Rules the goods are classified under only one heading, in determining whether goods in a set are Chilean originating goods, each component of the set must be assessed individually.
41. New subsection 153ZJE(10) sets out the originating rule that applies to composite goods that are classified in accordance with Rule 3 of the Interpretation Rules, similar to the rule in subsection 153ZJE(9). Such goods are Chilean originating goods only if:
- a.
- all of the components of the composite goods, considered individually, are Chilean originating goods under new Division 1F; or
- b.
- the total value of the components of the composite goods that are not Chilean originating goods under new Division 1F does not exceed 25% of the customs value of the goods.
This means that, even though under Rule 3 of the Interpretation Rules composite goods are classified under only one heading, in determining whether the components of the composite goods are Chilean originating goods, each component of the set must be assessed individually.
For the purposes of this originating rule, composite goods are those goods in which the components are attached to each other to form a practically inseparable whole. Composite goods are also those goods with separable components, provided these components are adapted one to the other and are mutually complementary, and that together they form a whole where the components would not normally be offered for separate sale. An example of the latter category of composite goods is an ashtray consisting of a stand incorporating a removable ash bowl.
Section 153ZJF Packaging materials and containers.
42. New subsection 153ZJF(1) provides that if:
- a.
- goods are packaged for retail sale in packaging material or a container; and
- b.
- the packaging material or container is classified with the goods in accordance with Rule 5 of the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System provided for by the Convention;
then the packaging material or container is to be disregarded for the purposes of this Subdivision except for the purposes of the exception detailed below. For example, this means that the packaging material or container does not need to satisfy the change in tariff classification test that might apply to the goods under the Chilean Regulations.
Exception
43. However, subsection 153ZJF(2) provides one exception, which applies where the goods are required to have a regional value content of at least a particular percentage and the packaging material or container is a non-originating material. Under this exception, the regulations must require the value of the packaging material or container to be taken into account as a non-originating material for the purposes of working out the regional value content of the goods. Without this provision, the value of packaging materials and containers would not normally form part of the value of materials that are used in the production of the goods.
44. The value of packaging materials and container for the purposes of this section is to be worked out in accordance with the method that will be included in the Chilean Regulations.
Subdivision E - Goods that are accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources
45. Subdivision E sets out a specific rule that applies to goods that are accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources.
Section 153ZJG Standard accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources
46. New section 153ZJG provides that goods are Chilean originating goods if:
- a.
- they are accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources in relation to other goods; and
- b.
- the other goods are imported into Australia with the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources; and
- c.
- the other goods are Chilean originating goods; and
- d.
- the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources are not invoiced separately from the other goods; and
- e.
- the quantities and value of the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources are customary for the other goods.
Therefore, under the provision, accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources will be deemed to be Chilean originating goods even if, in fact, they are non-originating materials, provided all of the requirements of this section are satisfied. However, this deeming section is to be disregarded when performing a regional value calculation on goods under subsection 153ZJE(6) where the accessories, spare parts, tools or instructional or other information resources are non-originating materials (see subsection 153ZJE(7)).
Subdivision F - Non- qualifying operations
47. Subdivision F sets out those operations that will be non-qualifying operations, in relation to goods.
Section 153ZJH Non qualifying operations
48. New subsection 153ZJH(1) provides that goods are not Chilean originating goods under Division 1F merely because of the following operations:
- a.
- operations to preserve goods in good condition for the purpose of storage of the goods during transport;
- b.
- changing of packaging or the breaking up or assembly of packages;
- c.
- disassembly of goods;
- d.
- placing goods in bottles, cases or boxes or other simple packaging operations;
- e.
- making up of sets of goods;
- f.
- any combination of operations referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e).
Therefore, if any of these operations are the only operations that take place in Chile, or in Chile and Australia, in relation to goods (either alone or as a combination), this will not amount to production in relation to the goods. For example, if non-originating goods such a spices from Bolivia are packaged into bottles in Chile, this will not confer the status of Chilean originating goods upon the spices.
49. New subsection 153ZJH(2) provides this section applies despite any other provision of new Division 1F.
Subdivision G - Consignment
50. Subdivision G sets out the consignment requirements that must be satisfied in transporting Chilean originating goods to Australia, including production in other countries during transportation to Australia.
Section 153ZJI Consignment
51. New subsection 153ZJI(1) provides that goods are not Chilean originating goods under Division 1F if:
- a.
- they are transported through a country or place other than Chile or Australia; and
- b.
- they undergo subsequent production or any other operation in that country or place (other than unloading, reloading, storing, repacking, relabelling, exhibition or any operation that is necessary to preserve them in good condition or to transport them to Australia).
52. Subsection 153ZJI(2) provides that this section applies despite any other provision of Division 1F. This means that even if goods are Chilean originating goods in accordance with any other provisions of Division 1F, if they do not comply with section 153ZJI(1), they will not be Chilean originating goods.
Part 2 Verification powers
Customs Act 1901
Item 2 After Division 4D of Part VI
53. This item amends the Customs Act by inserting new Division 4E into Part VI. New Division 4E is headed "Exportation of goods to Chile" and will impose obligations on people who export goods to Chile and who wish to obtain preferential treatment in respect of the goods in Chile, and on people who produce such goods.
New section 126AKA Definitions
54. New section 126AKA inserts two new definitions for the purposes of new Division 4E, as follows:
Chilean customs official which means a person representing the customs administration of Chile.
producer which means a person who grows, farms, raises, breeds, mines, harvests, fishes, traps, hunts, captures, gathers, collects, extracts, manufactures, processes or assembles goods.
New section 126AKB Record keeping obligations
55. New section 126AKB inserts record keeping obligations that will apply only in respect of goods that are exported from Australia to Chile and that are claimed to be Australian originating goods for the purpose of obtaining a preferential tariff in Chile. While there are record keeping obligations in the Customs Act at present, these are not broad enough to cover the record keeping obligations under the Agreement.
56. New subsection 126AKB(1) provides that the regulations may prescribe record keeping obligations that apply in relation to goods that:
- a.
- are exported to Chile; and
- b.
- are claimed to be Australian originating goods for the purpose of obtaining a preferential tariff in Chile.
57. It is intended that the method of keeping the documents, such as the length of time for which they must kept and the manner in which they must be kept, will be similar to current record keeping obligations. However, the type of documents that will be required to be kept will be much broader than current requirements. The requirements will extend to all records relating to the origin of the goods for which preferential tariff treatment is claimed in Chile and may include, amongst other things, records associated with the classification, origin or value of the materials used to produce the goods.
58. New subsection 126AKB(2) provides that the obligations under subsection (1) may be imposed on a producer or exporter of goods.
New section 126AKC Power to require records
59. New subsection 126AKC(1) provides that an authorised officer (which is defined in section 4 of the Customs Act) may require a person who is subject to record keeping obligations under regulations made for the purposes of section 126AKB to produce to the officer such of those records as the officer requires.
60. Under Article 4.22 of the Agreement, Australia or Chile may take action to verify the eligibility of goods for preferential treatment, including requesting the supply of records relating to the production or export of the goods. New section 126AKC gives effect to this Article in respect of goods exported to Chile and that are claimed to be Australian originating goods for the purpose of obtaining a preferential tariff in Chile.
61. New subsection 126AKC(2) provides that an authorised officer may disclose any records so produced to a Chilean customs official for the purpose of verifying a claim for a preferential tariff in Chile. Section 16 of the Customs Administration Act 1985 prohibits the disclosure of protected information except:
- a.
- as authorised by section 16; or
- b.
- as required or authorised by any other law; or
- c.
- in the course of performing the person's duties.
62. Records obtained by an authorised officer under new section 126AKC would be protected information within the meaning of section 16 and therefore cannot be disclosed to Chile except as allowed by section 16. By including an express provision in the Customs Act allowing for this information to be disclosed to a Chilean customs official, the disclosure is required or authorised by any other law for the purposes of paragraph 16(2)(d) of the Customs Administration Act 1985.
63. Under existing section 243SB of the Customs Act, it shall be an offence to fail to produce a record in accordance with new section 126AKC. This offence is not a strict liability offence.
New section 126AKD Power to ask questions
64. New subsection 126AKD(1) provides that an authorised officer (which is defined in section 4 of the Customs Act) may require a person who is an exporter or producer of goods that:
- a.
- are exported to Chile; and
- b.
- are claimed to be Australian originating goods for the purpose of obtaining a preferential tariff in Chile;
to answer questions in order to verify the origin of the goods.
65. It is considered that the power to ask questions in the circumstances set out in this section is a necessary adjunct to the power to require records in new section 126AKC.
66. Subsection 126AKD(2) provides that an authorised officer may disclose any answers to such questions to a Chilean customs official for the purpose of verifying a claim for a preferential tariff in Chile.
67. Answers to questions obtained by an authorised officer under new section 126AKD would also be protected information within the meaning of section 16 of the Customs Administration Act 1985 and therefore cannot not be disclosed to Chile except as allowed by section 16. By including an express provision in the Customs Act allowing for this information to be disclosed to a Chilean customs official, the disclosure is required or authorised by any other law for the purposes of paragraph 16(2)(d) of the Customs Administration Act 1985.
68. Under existing section 243SA of the Customs Act, it shall be an offence to fail to answer a question accordance with new section 126AKD. This offence is not a strict liability offence.
Part 3 - Application and transitional provisions
Item 3 Application
69. Item 3(1) provides that the amendment made by item 1 applies in relation to:
- a.
- goods imported into Australia on or after the commencement of item 3; and
- b.
- goods imported in Australia before that the commencement of item 3, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before the commencement of item 3. This means that if goods are imported from Chile before the commencement date and are still in a warehouse on that date, the new rules set out in item 1 will also apply to them.
70. Item 3(2) provides that the amendment made by item 2 (the new verification powers) applies in relation to goods exported to Chile on or after the commencement of item 2 (whether the goods were produced before, on or after that commencement).