Excise guidelines for the fuel industry

the items in the Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act (Schedule) that apply to fuels (including biofuels) and other petroleum products, oils, greases and hydraulic fluids
what kinds of goods manufactured or produced in Australia are subject to excise
the classifications of these products
the rates of excise that apply
in what circumstances these classifications and rates apply, and
penalties that can apply to offences in relation to the Excise Tariff.

10.2 INTRODUCTION

10.2.1 WHAT IS FUEL IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE EXCISE TARIFF ACT?

Fuel is covered by items 10, 15, 20 and 21 (however we are not discussing items 20 stabilised crude oil or 21 condensate in this guide) of the Schedule.

All excisable fuel products are classifiable to an item of the Schedule, which uses a two-tiered numbering system of items and then subitems.

Items in the Schedule have a general description (which is also referred to as the preamble) which describes the goods classified to the item. Under this general description are listed specific descriptions (subitems) to include or exclude particular products. For goods to be classified to a subitem, they must first be goods of the kind described in one of the relevant items.

Example 10A

Bitumen is excluded from item 10 by paragraph (i) of the item 10 of the Schedule Bitumen is therefore not a 'petroleum product not elsewhere included' under subitem 10.28 of the Schedule.

The scope of the subitems may narrow the application of a tariff item in the Schedule.

Example 10B

Paragraph 10(g) of the Schedule refers to blends other than blends covered by subsections 77H(1), 2A, 2B or (3) of the Excise Act.

Subitem 10.30 of the Schedule (which covers all blends other than 3 specific biofuel blends) applies only to blends that can be used as fuel in an internal combustion engine. This further restricts the application of excise to certain blends.

Using imported products

Imported products come under Australian Customs and Border Protection Services (ACBPS) administration and attract customs duty. Imported fuel products can, in certain circumstances, be used in the manufacture of excisable products. This includes blending. The result of this is the creation of an excise liability and, provided the correct Customs requirements and procedures are followed, the extinguishment of the customs duty liability.

It is common practice for fuel importers to blend imported goods with excisable goods. Blending results in the manufacture of an excisable fuel product.

You should refer to ACBPS for the import related requirements, however if you wish to use imported fuel in the manufacture of excisable goods you should speak to us. In these circumstances you would need an excise manufacturer licence and a warehouse licence issued under section 79 of the Customs Act 1901 (Customs Act).

Imported fuel is an excise equivalent good (EEG) and the ATO administers EEG's under delegation from ACBPS. We therefore assess applications for warehouse licences for EEG's issued under section 79 of the Customs Act.

For more information on excise manufacture refer to Chapter 2 - Licensing: Applications .

Product names and descriptions

Some product names in the Schedule are defined in the legislation. The definitions are found in:

section 3 of the Excise Tariff Act (e.g. 'biodiesel')
the preamble to the Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act ('lubricant/fluid/oil products'), and
section 4 of the Excise Act
- condensate.
- LPG

Most products however are not specifically defined, and take their meaning according to ordinary usage. Ordinary usage may be determined by physical characteristics, how the products are used or current industry practice. For example:

common names for products or product types including 'gasoline', 'diesel', 'white spirit', 'kerosene', 'heating oil' and 'transmission oil'
common names for chemical compounds including 'benzene' and 'toluene'
descriptive expressions used in the legislation, including 'denatured ethanol', 'liquid aromatic hydrocarbons' and 'stabilised crude petroleum oil'.

Products to which a fuel quality standard applies are excisable even if they do not meet the applicable standard. For example biodiesel made through chemically altering vegetable oils to form mono-alkyl esters is excisable even if it does not meet the fuel quality standard for biodiesel.

Fuel quality standards are made by the Commonwealth department responsible for the administration of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 , which provides a legislative framework for setting national fuel quality and fuel quality information standards. [248] The requirements are in place to reduce the adverse effects of motor vehicle emissions on air quality and human health, and to enable Australia to effectively adopt new vehicle engine and emission control technologies.

Fuels to which fuel quality standards apply include petrol, diesel and biodiesel.

'For use'

A number of item classifications in the Schedule are dependent on the intended use of the goods.

The expression 'for use' means the intended end-use of the product at the time the goods were delivered from excise control in Australia.

Example 10C

Examples of 'for use' in the Schedule:

Subitem 10.6 Gasoline for use as fuel in aircraft

Item 15 Goods...other than (a) goods for use as a fuel...

Items on your excise return

When you enter a product on your excise return under a classification from the Schedule that stipulates a particular use, you must have reasonable grounds for believing the product will be used for that purpose. Where a classification excludes a particular use, you must have reasonable grounds for believing the product will not be used for that purpose.

If you deliver goods into home consumption you need to satisfy yourself that the goods will not be used contrary to the tariff item classification you have entered on your return.

You need to keep documentation to substantiate the information you include on your excise return.

For more information about keeping records refer to Chapter 3 - Licensing: Assessing applications ( see Section 3.4.3 - What records do I need to keep?).

Rates of duty when the item is measured by volume

Temperature correction of volume

The volume of fuel products is affected by density and temperature (i.e. the volume changes due to temperature changes). In most instances, where rates of duty refer to volume in litres, you should use the volume of the product as if it was measured at 15 ° C.

For more information on measuring the volume of liquids please refer to Excise (Volume of Liquid Fuels - Temperature Correction) Determination 2011 (No. 1).

*Standardised calculations of measured quantities of petroleum fluids, regardless of point of origin, destination or units of measure used by custom or statute, have been adopted by petroleum companies through an international agreement. The result is the Petroleum Measurement Tables Volume Correction Factors, Volume VIII [249] .

Conversion of weight to volume

There are instances when product is invoiced in kilograms and needs to be converted to litres, such as to:

record it in stock records, and
include it in your excise return.

The method used to calculate litres of fuel is the standard conversion of a weight measurement to a liquid measurement which is to divide the weight of the fuel product by its density (corrected to 15 ° C), e.g. 100 kilograms of fuel oil, with a corrected density of 0.94, converts to 106 litres (100 / 0.94 = 106.38).

Conversion of measurement of LPG

If you have a liability for excise duty on LPG which was measured in kilograms you can convert the unit of measurement from kilograms to litres by using the conversion rate contained in the Excise Regulation 2015 (Excise Regulation). [250]

You may also, under certain circumstances, use a conversion method determined by the Commissioner in the Excise (Volume of LPG - Temperature and Pressure Correction) Determination 2011 (No. 1) .

Conversion of unit of measurement in the Excise Regulations

LPG that is measured in kilograms may be converted to litres at the rate of 1 kilogram to 1.885 litres. You may only use this conversion factor when the LPG has not been measured using volumetric measurement equipment.

If you decide to apply a particular unit of measurement for LPG which is used for a particular purpose, you are required to apply that unit of measurement throughout the financial year for all LPG used for that purpose. You may however, seek our permission to use a different unit of measurement during the financial year for that LPG.

The conversion rate is subject to periodic review to ensure it continues to accurately reflect the physical characteristics of LPG supplied in the Australian market.

Example 10D

John's business is licensed for excise purposes. John supplies LPG to wholesale customers who collect the product from John's LPG refinery ('wholesale sales'). In these circumstances, the LPG supplied is measured in tonnes by weighbridge measurement and is not measured using temperature and pressure corrected volumetric measurement equipment.

John also separately delivers LPG from his refinery in his own tankers ('tanker deliveries to customers'). In these circumstances, measurement occurs in litres when delivered to clients.

John is able to determine duty liability for wholesale sales in kilograms and then convert to litres using the conversion factor. John can measure LPG for duty liability purposes in litres for the tanker deliveries to customers.

John is not able to change the measurement unit from kilograms to litres for wholesale sales, or from litres to kilograms for deliveries to customers. If John wishes to change measurement units he can obtain permission from us or wait until the end of the financial year.

Conversion of unit of measurement in the Excise (Volume of LPG - Temperature and Pressure Correction) Determination 2011 (No. 1)

The Determination prescribes methods that can be used to determine the volume of excisable LPG delivered into home consumption from an excise licensed establishment.

There are three methods for converting the measurement of transport LPG to litres. The method you may use is dependent on the amount of transport LPG you deliver or reasonably expect to deliver into home consumption in an accounting period.

You are required to use the same method of conversion for the transport LPG you deliver in the accounting period unless we have given you the authority, in writing, to use a different method during the period.

The accounting period is the same period you use for income tax purposes which generally is from 1 July to 30 June of the following year. You may use a different period which we have approved in writing.

Method 1 - based on density

This method is used where:

the total amount of transport LPG you deliver, or reasonably expect to deliver, into home consumption from all of your Excise licensed premises exceeds 150,000 litres in the accounting period; and
is measured in kilograms not using volumetric measurement equipment.

The amount of kilograms is converted to litres by either:

the use of a factor based on the measured density of the LPG at ambient temperature corrected to 15 ^o Celsius using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Petroleum Measurement Tables for Light Hydrocarbon Liquids - Density range 0.500 to 0.653 Kg/L at 15 ^o C ; or
the use of the conversion factor stipulated in section 24 of the Excise Regulation.

Example 10E

If a quantity of transport LPG delivered into home consumption has been weighed as having 15.682 tonnes, then the volume of the LPG would be determined by applying the conversion factor 1.885 as stipulated in the Excise Regulation for every kilogram of transport LPG (unless the person elects to measure the density of the quantity of transport LPG and apply a specific conversion factor). Application of the Excise Regulation factor 1.885 would result in a volume of 29,561 litres. Excise duty is then calculated on 29,561 litres for a person who has delivered, or reasonably expects to deliver transport LPG exceeding 150,000 litres per accounting period.

Method 2 - based on equilibrium vapour pressure

This method is used where;

the total amount of transport LPG you deliver, or reasonably expect to deliver, into home consumption from all of your Excise licensed premises exceeds 150,000 litres in the accounting period; and
is measured using uncorrected volumetric measurement equipment.

This method applies two correction factors.

The first correction factor uses the American Petroleum Institute Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards at Chapter 11.2.2M - Compressibility Factors for Hydrocarbons: 350-637 kg/m ³ Density (15 ° C) and -46 ° C to 60 ° C Metering Temperature, to correct the volume that was metered under operating pressure to the corresponding volume at the equilibrium vapour pressure to account for pressure effects.

The second correction factor uses the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Petroleum Measurement Tables for Light Hydrocarbon Liquids - Density Range 0.500 to 0.653 Kg/L at 15 º C , to correct the volume to 15 º C to account for temperature effects.

Example 10F

A quantity of transport LPG is dispensed from an LPG tanker which meters an uncorrected volume of 30,000 litres under a pressure of 3000 kilopascals at a temperature of 27.5 ° C. During the delivery, the density and equilibrium vapour pressure of the LPG is also measured (at 27.5 ° C) and shown to be 515 kg/m ³ and 510 kilopascals respectively. To determine the corrected volume of LPG delivered, the metered volume would need to be adjusted by the pressure correction factor 1.0121 (as per the API Petroleum Measurement Compressibility Factor Tables for Hydrocarbons: 350-637 kg/m ³ ) to determine the volume at equilibrium vapour pressure and the volume temperature correction factor 0.9675 (as per the ASTM Petroleum Measurement Tables for Light Hydrocarbon Liquids) to determine the volume at 15 ° C. Application of the relevant factors would result in an adjusted volume of 29,367 litres. Excise duty is then calculated on 29,367 litres for a person who has aggregated clearances of transport LPG exceeding 150,000 litres per accounting period.

Method 3 - based on ambient temperature and operating pressure

This method may be used where:

the total amount delivered, or reasonably expected to be delivered into home consumption from all your Excise licensed premises in the accounting period is less than 150,000 litres; and
there is no requirement on your PSP to correct to 15 ° C and equilibrium vapour pressure.

Under this method you may either correct the volume of transport LPG using either Method 1 or 2 or use the measured volume of transport LPG at ambient temperature and operating pressure.

Example 10G:

Following on from Example 10F, if a person's aggregated clearances of transport LPG are less than 150,000 litres per accounting period, and that person delivers transport LPG into home consumption using uncorrected volumetric measuring equipment, that person may either apply Method 2 and correct the volume of fuel to 15 ° Celsius and equilibrium vapour pressure (i.e. 29,367 litres) or use the uncorrected measured volume of fuel at ambient temperature and operating pressure (i.e. 30,000 litres). If the uncorrected measured volume is used, excise duty is then calculated on 30,000 litres for a person who has aggregated clearances of transport LPG not exceeding 150,000 litres per accounting period.

The Excise (Volume of LPG - Temperature and Pressure Correction) Determination 2011 (No. 1) is available on our website

Conversion of measurement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

If you have a liability of duty for excisable CNG and the quantity of CNG is measured in megajoules you are required to use the conversion rate contained in the Excise Regulation. The conversion rate, as at 1 April 2015, is 1 megajoule of CNG to 0.01893 kilograms of CNG. [251]

The conversion rate is subject to periodic review to ensure it continues to accurately reflect the physical characteristics of CNG supplied in the domestic market.

Conversion of unit of measurement in the Excise (Mass of CNG) Determination 2012 (No. 1)

The Determination prescribes methods that can be used to determine the mass of excisable CNG delivered into home consumption from an excise licensed establishment where the CNG is measured in units other than kilogram or megajoules.

The Excise (Mass of CNG) Determination 2012 (No. 1) is available on our website

10.3 POLICY AND PRACTICE

10.3.1 WHAT IS CLASSIFIED TO ITEM 10?

Fuel products and some products which may not generally be considered as fuel are classified to item 10 of the Schedule.

For example, paragraph 10(d) of the Schedule refers to 'liquid hydrocarbon products derived through a recycling, manufacturing or other process'.

Hydrocarbons are any of a class of compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon atoms in varying ratios, such as methane(CH ₄ ); ethylene(C ₂ H ₄ ); acetylene(C ₂ H ₂ ); and benzene(C ₆ H ₆ )

Most hydrocarbon products are derived from petroleum, that is, almost exclusively from crude oil or natural gas production and refining. However, hydrocarbon products can also be derived from non-petroleum sources.

For hydrocarbon products derived from non-petroleum sources to be classified to a specific product subitem of the Schedule, the product must:

have the characteristics of gasoline, kerosene, diesel, liquefied natural gas, CNG, heating oil, mineral turpentine or white spirit,
have the physical characteristics of 'fuel oil' set out in subsection 3(4) of the Excise Tariff Act,
have the physical characteristics of 'LPG' set out in section 4 of the Excise Act; or
be a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon consisting principally of benzene, toluene or xylene or a mixture of them.

Liquid hydrocarbon products may contain minor amounts of other elements and still be classified as a liquid hydrocarbon product.

"Liquid" hydrocarbons are those that are liquid when they come into existence as a discrete product.

Item 10 of the Schedule captures all liquid hydrocarbon fuel products [252] , regardless of the feedstock or process of manufacture. Gaseous fuels (CNG, LPG and LNG) are also included at item 10.

Example 10H

Diesel can be produced from used tyres or waste plastic.

Though not derived from petroleum, the diesel is classifiable to subitem 10.10 of the Schedule.

In addition to these hydrocarbon products, item 10 also captures two non-hydrocarbon based products which can be used as transport fuels. Like any other fuel product, for these non-hydrocarbon to be classified to item 10 they must be specified at both an item and sub-item level. Currently, the following are the two non-hydrocarbon products classified to item 10, goods that:

have the physical characteristics of 'biodiesel' set out in section 3 of the Excise Tariff Act;
are denatured ethanol for use as a fuel in an internal combustion engine.

What is not classified to item 10?

Item 10 of the Schedule contains a number of exclusions. These apply to:

certain uses of fuel in oil production and refining, including:
stabilised crude petroleum oil and condensate for use in the recovery, production, pipeline transportation or refining of petroleum, or as refinery feedstock, and
refined or semi-refined liquid petroleum products for use in refining petroleum at a licensed refinery, apart from use as fuel in internal combustion engines
goods classified to item 15 of the Schedule; and
waxes and bitumen.

Other exclusions from item 10 of the Schedule are referred to under relevant subitems.

10.3.2 PRODUCTS CLASSIFIED TO SUBITEMS OF ITEM 10

The information below provides some context around items and subitems included in item 10 of the Schedule, grouped according to product type. All excise duty rates listed are current as at 1 April 2015.

For the most up to date excise duty rates please refer to the link below.

Rates of duty on fuel (excluding aviation fuels) are subject to change. The Excise Tariff working Pages include the current duty rates and are available our website

Major road transport fuels

Gasoline (other than for use as fuel in aircraft )

The primary use of gasoline is in spark ignition internal combustion engines.

Technology is currently available to produce gasoline from natural gas using the gas to liquids (GTL) method. Gasoline produced in this manner would be classified to item 10(d), subitem 10.5 of the Schedule. Gasoline refined from crude oil and condensate would similarly be would be classified to, subitem 10.5 of the Schedule via item 10(c).

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.5	Gasoline (other than for use as fuel in aircraft)	$0.389 per litre

Diesel

Diesel is primarily used as the fuel for compression ignition internal combustion engines (diesel engines). Diesel is not specifically defined in the Excise Tariff Act; therefore, we look to the physical characteristics, how the products are used and current industry practice to determine whether a particular product is diesel.

Recent developments in technology have meant that hydrocarbon fuels can be manufactured from sources other than crude oil or waste oil. Technology now exists that allows fuel to be manufactured from feed-stocks such as waste plastic, used tyres and general household waste or from the hydrogenation of animal fats or vegetable oils.

Renewable diesel is defined in section 4A of the Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Act 2004 as a liquid fuel manufactured by chemically altering vegetable oils or animal fats through a process of hydrogenation, which complies with the diesel fuel standard. However, this definition is not directly relevant from an excise perspective. The Schedule merely includes subitem 10.10 which pertains to diesel in general. Renewable diesel would be classified to the Schedule under this subitem via item 10(d).

If the fuel produced from these alternative feedstock can be used to run a diesel engine and its characteristics are generally in line with diesel then it would be classified to item 10(d), subitem 10.10 of the Schedule.

As with gasoline, diesel can also be produced using GTL technology.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.10	Diesel (other than biodiesel)	$0.389 per litre

Aviation fuels

The major aviation fuels are:

aviation gasoline (AVGAS), and
aviation kerosene (also known as aviation turbine fuel, AVTUR or Jet A1).

AVGAS is primarily used in small piston-engine aircraft. It is classified to subitem 10.6 of the Schedule. [253]

AVTUR is primarily used in large turbine-powered aircraft. It is classified to subitem 10.17 of the Schedule. [254]

The excise duty imposed on aviation gasoline and aviation kerosene is used to fund CASA. [255]

Biofuels

Bio-fuels are fuels made from renewable and/or organic feedstock. Denatured ethanol for use in an internal combustion engine (commonly referred to as 'fuel ethanol'), biodiesel and renewable diesel are biofuels currently in commercial use in Australia.

Fuel ethanol

Denatured ethanol for use as fuel in an internal combustion engine is classified to subitem 10.20 of the Schedule. Ethanol is another term for ethyl alcohol.

Manufacturing fuel ethanol

If you produce ethanol for any purpose you must hold an excise manufacturer licence. If you produce ethanol for fuel and non-fuel applications, your licence must specify this.

For further information on licensing, see Chapter 2 -- Licensing : Applications.

Denaturing

Fuel ethanol is usually denatured by the addition of 1% or more of unleaded petrol. However, we will accept other denaturants, provided that they meet the requirements of Excise (Denatured spirits) Determination 2006 (No. 2) which deals specifically with alcoholic beverages. The Explanatory Statement provides information about the background, purpose and operation of this determination.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.20	Denatured ethanol for use as fuel in an internal combustion engine	$0.389 per litre

Fuel ethanol blends

Fuel ethanol is usually blended (primarily with petrol) for use as a fuel in spark ignition engines.

In other limited cases denatured ethanol can be used in compression ignition engines. Although rare, blends of diesel and ethanol are sometimes referred to as 'Diesohol'.

In the Schedule there are specific subitems for ethanol blends:

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.7	Blends of gasoline and ethanol	The amount of duty worked out under section 6G
10.11	Blends of diesel and ethanol	The amount of duty worked out under section 6G.

For further information see discussion on "Calculating duty according to section 6G" of the Excise Tariff Act below.

Blending fuel ethanol with products such as petrol or diesel is excise manufacture, even if all the components of the blend are duty-paid fuels. [256] The only exception to this rule is where fuel ethanol is incidentally blended with other fuel and there is no intention to manufacture a further fuel ethanol blend.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is defined in subsection 3(1) of the Excise Tariff Act as:

'fuel manufactured by chemically altering vegetable oils or animal fats (including recycled oils from these sources) to form mono-alkyl esters.'

Subitem 10.21 of the Schedule applies only to products that meet this definition. Therefore, fuel produced from animal fats or vegetable oils by hydrogenation (renewable diesel) is not biodiesel for the purposes of the Schedule. Fuel made from other feedstock, such as waste plastics, is also not biodiesel.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.21	Biodiesel	$0.389 per litre

Biodiesel manufacture

Biodiesel can be made from the following feedstock:

new or used vegetable oils (e.g. soybean oil, rapeseed/canola oil, cotton seed and mustard seed oils)
oils from oil bearing trees (e.g. palm & coconut oil)
animal fats (e.g. beef tallow), and
waste cooking oils (e.g. used frying oil, grease trap waste).

In general, biodiesel can be manufactured by the following processes:

alkali-catalysed transesterification of the feedstock with alcohol
direct acid-catalysed esterification of the feedstock with alcohol, or
the conversion of the feedstock to fatty acids and then to alkyl esters with acid catalysis.

To make biodiesel, you must be licensed as an excise manufacturer. There is no threshold, or own use exemption from this requirement.

For further information on licensing, see Chapter 2 - Licensing: Applications .

Biodiesel is excisable whether or not it meets the fuel quality standard for biodiesel developed by the Department of Environment who are responsible for the administration of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 . Information on the standard may be obtained from that department.

Biodiesel manufacturers may be eligible to claim the cleaner fuels grant. The biodiesel you manufacture must meet the fuel quality standard to be eligible for the cleaner fuels grant.

More information on the Cleaner fuels grants scheme is available on our website at www.ato.gov.au , refer to Fuel schemes essentials .

Biodiesel blends

Biodiesel is often blended with other fuel (primarily diesel) prior to being used by consumers.

Blending biodiesel with products such as diesel is excise manufacture, even if all the components of the blend are duty-paid fuels. [257]

The only exception to this rule is where biodiesel is incidentally blended with other fuel and there is no intention to manufacture a biodiesel blend.

The exception is provided by Excise (Blending exemptions) Determination 2014 (No. 1) . The Explanatory Statement explains the purpose and operation of this determination.

Example 10I

A non licensed fuel supplier makes a commercial decision to stop supplying biodiesel and to use the tank to expand their diesel storage capability. When the last sale of biodiesel is made the fuel supplier orders a bulk quantity of diesel from their distributor which is discharged into the tank. The tank contained remnants of the biodiesel as it's impractical to completely empty the biodiesel from the tank. There is no intention to make a diesel/biodiesel blend.

This circumstance is incidental blending as covered by the determination. It is not excise manufacture.

Diesel and biodiesel blends

Blends of diesel and biodiesel are covered by subitem 10.12 of the Schedule.

Subitem

Description of goods

Rate of Duty

10.12

Blends of diesel and

biodiesel

The amount of duty worked out under section 6G

For further information see discussion on section 6G of the Excise Tariff Act below.

Diesel/biodiesel blends are usually named by reference to the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. For example, a blend containing 10% biodiesel is referred to as 'B10'. A blend containing 5% biodiesel is referred to as 'B5'.

Other fuel blends

Fuel blends that do not have their own specific classification are classified to subitem 10.30 of the Schedule. For a blend to be classified to this subitem, it must be able to be used as fuel in an internal combustion engine. This is accepted as meaning the blend can be used in an internal combustion engine without causing material damage to an engine within a short period (for example, a day or within 100 kilometres).

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.30	Blends of 1 or more of the above goods (with or without other substances) not elsewhere included that can be used as fuel in an internal combustion engine (other than goods covered by section 77J of the Excise Act 1901 )	The amount of duty worked out under section 6G

Example 10J

Diesel and base oil can be blended together to produce a mould release agent that is used in brick manufacture.

The blend can be used in internal combustion engines and is therefore classified to subitem 10.30 of the Schedule.

A blend which is not a biofuel blend is not classified to subitem 10.30 of the Schedule if:

it has been used as a solvent and recycled for use again as a solvent by the user [258] . (This is further discussed in Chapter 11 - Blending .)
all the components are duty-paid at the same rate (but not where an entity is eligible to claim a fuel tax credit on any of the components) [259]
the blend is not marketed or sold for use as fuel in an internal combustion engine and it contains products listed in the Schedule in the Fuel Tax (Fuel Blends) Determination 2006 (No. 3) at a concentration equal to or greater than the specified minimum, or
it is covered by Excise (Blending exemptions) Determination 2014 (No. 1) .

There are other blend circumstances that are not classified to subitem 10.30 and these involve blends that include fuels that are subject to changes in duty rates. For example the duty rate for LPG increases on 1 July for the period 2011 to 2015 and as a result if you blend LPG pre and post 1 July it would not satisfy the circumstance where all the components are duty-paid at the same rate. These blends are not considered to be the result of excise manufacture. [260]

Calculating duty according to Section 6G of the Excise Tariff Act

The rate of duty applicable to these specified blends is determined in accordance with the method statement in section 6G of the Excise Tariff Act. This method takes account of any duty already paid on the components of the blend.

The method for working out the duty payable on these blends is:

Step 1	Add up the amount of duty that would be payable on each constituent of the blend that is classified to item 10 of the Schedule
Step 2	Work out the volume, in litres, of any other constituent of the blend (excluding any water added to the manufacture of the blended goods). [261]
Step 3	Multiply the result of step 2 by $0.389.
Step 4	Total the results of steps 1 and 3.
Step 5	Subtract from the total any duty paid on a constituent of the blended goods that is classified to item 10 or 15 of the Schedule.

If a constituent of the blended goods was imported, and customs duty was paid or payable on the goods, treat that customs duty as if it were excise duty in working out the duty payable. In the unlikely situation where the rate of excise duty on a constituent of the blended goods would be less than the customs duty paid, use the lesser amount in working out the duty payable. [262]

For more information about fuel blends refer to Chapter 11 - Blending .

Example 10K

Marvin's Fuel manufactures a B20 blend (20% biodiesel / 80% diesel) using 16,000 litres of underbond diesel and 4,000 litres of duty-paid biodiesel.

Marvin's Fuel works out the duty payable on the blend under section 6G as follows:

Step 1	16,000 litres of diesel @ $0.389 per litre 4,000 litres of biodiesel @ $0.389 per litre	$ 6,224.00 $ 1,556.00
	Total of step 1	$ 7,780.00
Step 2	Nil
Step 3	Nil
Step 4	Total of step 1 and 3	$ 7,780.00
Step 5	Less duty paid	-$ 1,556.00
Duty payable on the blend (to nearest $)		$ 6,224.00

Example 10L

Esther's Fuels manufactures an E10 blend from 18,000 litres of duty-paid gasoline and 2000 litres of duty-paid fuel ethanol.

Step 1	18,000 litres of diesel @ $0.389 per litre 2,000 litres of fuel ethanol @ $0.389 per litre	$ 7,002.00 $ 778.00
	Total of step 1	$ 7,780.00
Step 2	Nil
Step 3	Nil
Step 4	Total of step 1 and 3	$ 7,780.00
Step 5	Less duty paid	-$ 7,780.00
Duty payable on the blend (to nearest $)		$ 0

Although there is no duty payable on the blend, Esther's Fuels must enter the E10 blend on the excise return (or returns) for the period (or periods) when the blend is delivered into home consumption as it has used fuel ethanol in the blend.

Burner fuels

Kerosene, heating oil and fuel oil [263] are often described as burner fuels because these products are mainly used in burner applications (e.g. as fuel for heating appliances). They are also capable of being used in other applications, for example, as solvents.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.15	Heating oil	$0.389 per litre
10.16	Kerosene (other than for use as fuel in aircraft)	$0.389 per litre
10.18	Fuel oil	$0.389 per litre

Crude oil and condensate used as fuel

Condensate, stabilised crude oil and topped crude oil are included in item 10 of the Schedule when these products are used directly as fuel.

Condensate or stabilised crude oil is excluded from item 10 of the Schedule when used:

in the recovery, production, pipeline transportation or refining of crude oil or condensate, or
as refinery feedstock.

Stabilised crude oil and condensate can attract duty under items 20 and 21 respectively of the Schedule and item 10 of the Schedule. [264]

Condensate is a defined term meaning:

(a) liquid petroleum; or

(b) a substance:

that is derived from gas associated with oil production; and
that is liquid at standard temperature and pressure. [265]

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.1	Petroleum condensate	$0.389 per litre

Stabilised crude petroleum oil (stabilised crude oil) is produced when crude oil from a well is extracted in, or converted to, a state in which it can be safely stored, transported and further dealt with.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.2	Stabilised crude petroleum oil	$0.389 per litre

Topped crude petroleum oil (topped crude oil) is produced when the more valuable light fractions are removed from crude oil.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.3	Topped crude petroleum oil	$0.389 per litre

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

LPG is defined to include: [266]

liquid propane; or
liquid mixture of propane and butane
liquid mixture of propane and other hydrocarbons that consists mainly of propane; or
a liquid mixture of propane, butane and other hydrocarbons that consists mainly of propane and butane.

LPG is the generic name for mixtures of light hydrocarbon gas, consisting of mainly propane or propane and butane that have been liquefied through cooling or compression. These gases are produced either directly through the processing of crude oil and natural gas or as a by-product of the petroleum refining process.

LPG is generally supplied as a mixture of propane and butane but it can also be supplied as 100 per cent propane. It may also include a small proportion of other hydrocarbons.

In addition to being used as a transport fuel, LPG containing propane only is used for a variety of purposes including commercial and domestic cooking, drying and heating.

A remission of duty is available where the LPG is supplied for non-transport use. [267]

Although this means that no duty is payable on non-transport LPG you still need an excise licence to manufacture the goods.

LPG is exempt duty when it is used at the premises specified in a manufacture licence in the process of manufacturing:

petroleum condensate or stabilised crude petroleum oil; or
liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas or other hydrocarbons. [268]

This is provided the manufacture of the goods is done in accordance with the manufacturer licence.

For more information about the remission of excise duty on LPG supplied for non-transport use refer to Chapter 7 - Remissions, Refunds, Drawbacks & Exemptions

Subitem	Description of goods	*Rate of Duty
10.19A	Liquefied petroleum gas, other than liquefied petroleum gas exempted from excise duty by section 77HB of the Excise Act 1901	$0.102 per litre

*LPG duty rates have increased annually from 1 July 2012with the last scheduled increase under the Excise Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Act 2011, occurring 1 July 2015. This is in addition to any changes resulting from the tariff proposals introduced in October 2014 and any subsequent indexation changes.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG)

LNG is produced from natural gas that is cooled to the point that it condenses to a liquid. The majority of LNG manufactured in Australia is exported although some is used as a transport fuel, generally in heavy-duty long range road transport.

Duty on LNG is imposed at the point of manufacture. Excise is calculated as a rate of cents per kilogram, rather than cents per litre as with other fuels.

A remission of duty is available where the LNG is supplied for non-transport use. [269]

Although this means that no duty is payable on non-transport LNG you still need an excise licence to manufacture the goods.

LNG is exempt of duty when it is used at the premises specified in a manufacture licence in the process of manufacturing:

petroleum condensate or stabilised crude petroleum oil; or
liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas or other hydrocarbons. [270]

This is provided the manufacture of the goods is done in accordance to the manufacturer licence.

For more information about the remission of excise duty on LNG supplied for non-transport use refer to Chapter 7 - Remissions, Refunds, Drawbacks & Exemptions

Subitem	Description of goods	*Rate of Duty
10.19B	Liquefied natural gas, other than liquefied natural gas exempted from excise duty by section 77HB of the Excise Act 1901	$0.213 per kilogram

* LNG duty rates have increased annually from 1 July 2012with the last scheduled increase under the Excise Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Act 2011, occurring 1 July 2015. This is in addition to any changes resulting from the tariff proposals introduced in October 2014 and any subsequent indexation changes.

Compressed natural gas (CNG)

CNG is produced from natural gas, which is compressed. CNG is used in some bus fleets, street sweepers and garbage collection vehicles. There is no significant use of CNG in cars in Australia at this stage.

CNG is exempt from duty if it was compressed:

for use other than as a fuel for a motor vehicle; or [271]
other than in the course of carrying on an enterprise; or [272]
for use as a fuel for a forklift vehicle that is used primarily off public roads; or [273]
at a residential premises; and
the rate at which the gas was compressed at those premises is not more than 10 kilograms of compressed natural gas per hour; and
the gas is not sold or otherwise supplied in the course of carrying on an enterprise. [274]

The phrase 'in the course of carrying on an enterprise' has the same meaning a when it is used in the A New Tax System ( Goods and Services Tax ) Act 1999 .

A 'residential premises' has the same meaning as given in the Goods and Services Tax Act.

In most instances, the ultimate use of CNG will be known at the time of compression. For instance, compression will commonly occur directly before delivery into the motor vehicle or into storage tanks for other uses. Hence, it will be readily established whether CNG is eligible for exemption. If the CNG you manufacture is exempt, then you do not need to hold a license under the Excise Act to undertake that activity.

Subitem	Description of goods	*Rate of Duty
10.19C	Compressed natural gas, other than compressed natural gas exempted from excise duty by section 77HB of the Excise Act 1901	$0.213 per kilogram

* CNG duty rates have increased annually from 1 July 2012 with the last scheduled increase under the Excise Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Act 2011, occurring 1 July 2015. This is in addition to any changes resulting from the tariff proposals introduced in October 2014 and any subsequent indexation changes.

Liquid aromatic hydrocarbons

Some industrial processes, such as coal coking, waste incineration and some plastics production, results in by-products consisting principally of the aromatic hydrocarbons benzene, toluene and xylene, or mixtures of them. These can be used as fuels.

Other substances may be present in these products, but these aromatics must be the principal constituents to be classified to subitem 10.25 of the.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.25	Liquid aromatic hydrocarbons consisting principally of benzene, toluene or xylene or mixtures of them	$0.389 per litre

Mineral turpentine & white spirit

Mineral turpentine and white spirit are very similar and are predominantly used as solvents.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.26	Mineral turpentine	$0.389 per litre
10.27	White spirit	$0.389 per litre

Petroleum products not elsewhere included

Subitem 10.28 of the Schedule includes all unblended petroleum products not elsewhere included that fall within the general description of item 10 of the Schedule. Products classified to this subitem can be as diverse as lighter fluid, naphtha and recycled waste oil, including waste oil recycled by filtering, dewatering and demineralisation. Waste oil that is only subjected to a filtering and dewatering process is not an excisable good captured by the Schedule as the process is not considered to be excise manufacture. [275]

Recycled waste oil is only classified to this subitem if it cannot be classified elsewhere (e.g. diesel to subitem 10.12 of the Schedule; re-refined base oil not for fuel use to subitem 15.2 of the Schedule).

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
10.28	Petroleum products (other than blends) not elsewhere included (other than goods covered by section 77J of the Excise Act 1901 )	$0.389 per litre

Products derived from non-petroleum sources cannot be classified to subitem 10.28 of the Schedule.

10.3.3 PRODUCTS CLASSIFIED TO ITEM 15

Lubricating oils and greases, hydraulic fluids and oils used for heat transfer applications in machinery are classified to item 15 of the Schedule, including:

lubricant base oils
prepared lubricant additives containing carrier oils
lubricants for engines, gear sets, pumps and bearings
hydraulic fluids
brake fluids
transmission oils
transformer and heat transfer oils, and
synthetic equivalents of petroleum-based oil and grease products.

Item Description of goods

15 Goods as follows, other than:

(a) goods for use as a fuel; and

(b) exempt oils and hydraulic fluids

Exempt oils and hydraulic fluids are:

food grade white mineral oil
polyglycol brake fluids, and
aromatic process oils

that meets the specified industry standards or criteria specified in the Excise Tariff Act [276] .

Goods for use as a fuel may be excisable under item 10 of the Schedule.

Example 10M

An oil recycler produces re-refined base oil which can be manufactured into lubricating oil by the addition of suitable additives but can also be used as fuel.

The base oil is delivered for use as a fuel. It does not meet industry standards for diesel or another specified product under item 10 of the Schedule.

The base oil is not classified to item 15 of the Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act. It is classified to subitem 10.28 of the Schedule. Duty is payable at $0.389 per litre.

Subitem	Description of goods	Rate of Duty
15	Goods as follows, other than: (a)goods for use as a fuel; and (b)exempt oils and hydraulic fluids
15.1	Petroleum-based oils (including lubricant/fluid/oil products) and their synthetic equivalents but not greases	$0.085 per litre
15.2	Petroleum-based oils (including lubricant/fluid/oil products and greases) and their synthetic equivalents, recycled for use as oils (including lubricant/fluid/oil products) but not greases	$0.085 per litre
15.3	Petroleum-based greases and their synthetic equivalents	$0.085 per kilogram
15.4	Petroleum-based oils (including lubricant/fluid/oil products and greases) and their synthetic equivalents, recycled for use as greases	$0.085 per kilogram

Synthetic equivalents

A synthetic product is equivalent to a petroleum-based (lubricant/fluid/oil) product where it performs the equivalent function of the petroleum based oil. Factors to consider include indicated use and marketing.

Example 10N

Synthetic lubricating oil is designed to be used as lubricating oil in an engine. It performs the same function as petroleum based lubricating oil. It is therefore the equivalent of petroleum based lubricating oil.

If you are unsure whether the products you produce are subject to excise duty under item 15 of the Schedule you can seek specific advice from us.

For further information, refer to Chapter 8 - Reviews and objections .

10.4 PROCEDURES

10.4.1 WHAT DO I DO IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?

If you need more information on fuel in the excise tariff contact us as follows:

phone 1300 137 290
fax 1300 130 916,
email us at ATO-EXC-Petroleum@ato.gov.au , or
write to us at

Australian Taxation Office

PO Box 3514

ALBURY NSW 2640

We will ordinarily respond to written information requests within 28 days. If we cannot respond within 28 days, we will contact you within 14 days to obtain more information or negotiate an extended response date.

10.5 WHAT PENALTIES CAN APPLY TO OFFENCES IN RELATION TO THE EXCISE TARIFF?

The following are the penalties that may apply after conviction for an offence.

Manufacture

If you manufacture excisable fuel products without a manufacturer licence, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison or the greater of 500 penalty units and 5 times the amount of duty on the excisable fuel products. [277]

If you manufacture excisable fuel products contrary to the Excise Act or any conditions specified in your licence, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison or 500 penalty units. [278]

If you manufacture excisable fuel products at premises that are not specified in your licence, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison or the greater of 500 penalty units and 5 times the amount of duty on the excisable fuel products. [279]

Move, alter or interfere

If you move underbond excisable fuel products without approval, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison or the greater of 500 penalty units and 5 times the amount of duty on the excisable fuel products. [280]

Note:

This includes moving underbond excisable fuel products from your premises to any other location or for export.

If your movement of underbond excisable fuel products does not comply with the permission to move the underbond excisable fuel products, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison or the greater of 500 penalty units and 5 times the amount of duty on the excisable fuel products. [281]

If you move, alter or interfere with excisable fuel products that are subject to excise control , without permission, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison or the greater of 500 penalty units and 5 times the amount of duty on the excisable fuel products. [282]

Deliver

If you deliver excisable fuel products home consumption contrary to your permission, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison or the greater of 500 penalty units and 5 times the amount of duty on the excisable fuel products. [283]

Records

If you do not keep, retain and produce records in accordance with a direction under section 50 of the Excise Act, the penalty is a maximum of 30 penalty units.

Directions

If you do not comply with a direction in regard to what parts of the factory can be used for various matters, the penalty is a maximum of 10 penalty units. [284]

False or misleading statements

If you make a false or misleading statement, or an omission from a statement in respect of duty payable on particular goods, to us, the penalty is a maximum of 50 penalty units and twice the amount of duty payable on those goods. [285]

Evade

If you evade payment of any duty which is payable, the maximum penalty is 5 times the amount of duty on the excisable fuel products, or where a court cannot determine the amount of that duty the penalty is a maximum of 500 penalty units. [286]

Facilities etc.

If you do not provide all reasonable facilities for enabling us to exercise our powers under the Excise Act, the penalty is a maximum of 10 penalty units. [287]

If you do not provide sufficient lights, correct weights and scales, and all labour necessary for weighing material received into and all excisable fuel products manufactured in your factory and for taking stock of all material and excisable fuel products contained in your factory, the maximum penalty is 10 penalty units. [288]

If we mark or seal excisable fuel products or fasten, lock or seal any plant in your factory and you alter, open, break or erase the mark, seal, fastening or lock, the maximum penalty is 50 penalty units. [289]

10.6 TERMS USED

Excisable fuel products

Excisable goods are goods on which excise duty is imposed. Excise duty is imposed on goods listed in the Schedule and that are manufactured or produced in Australia and listed in the Schedule.

As these guidelines deal with fuel products, we have used the term excisable fuel products.

Excisable fuel products include:

petrol
diesel
renewable diesel
crude petroleum oil
condensate
heating oil
kerosene
fuel ethanol
biodiesel
compressed natural gas (CNG)
liquefied natural gas (LNG); and
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

While oils and grease classified to item 15 are not technically fuel we have included them in this generic term in this guide.

This manual does not cover stabilised crude petroleum oil or condensate classified to items 20 and 21 respectively in the Schedule.

Excise control

Goods are subject to excise control from the point of manufacture until they have been delivered into home consumption or for export.

Goods subject to excise control cannot be moved, altered or interfered with except as authorised by the Excise Act.

Excise return

An excise return [290] is the document that you use to advise us:

the volume of excisable fuel products that you have delivered into home consumption during the period designated on your PSP, or
the volume of excisable fuel products that you wish to deliver into home consumption following approval.

Home Consumption [291]

'Home consumption' is the term used in the Excise Act and this guide to describe when excisable fuel products are released into the Australian domestic market for consumption. The term used in the legislation is 'deliver for home consumption'.

Normally this will be by delivering the goods away from licensed premises but includes using those goods within the licensed premises (for example using fuel to run equipment in your licensed premises). It does not include goods delivered for export or the movement of goods underbond (see definition below) to another licensed site.

The term 'home consumption' is not defined in the Excise Act and there is no definitive case law that looks at the issue in question. However there are several cases where issues closely related to it are considered. [292]

The conclusion drawn from those cases is that 'home consumption' refers to the destination of goods as being within Australia as opposed to exporting them.

Penalty units

A penalty unit is specified in section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914 and, at the time of writing, is $210.

Section 50 direction

This is a written instruction issued under section 50 of the Excise Act to a licensed manufacturer, or proprietor of licensed premises, to keep specified records, furnish specified returns, retain records for a specified period and produce those records on demand by us.

Underbond

This is an expression not found in excise legislation but it is widely used to describe goods that are subject to excise control. Excisable goods that are subject to excise control are commonly referred to as 'underbond goods' or as being 'underbond'. This includes goods that have not yet been delivered into home consumption and goods moving between premises under a movement permission.

10.7 LEGISLATION (quick reference guide)

In this chapter we have referred to the following legislation:

Excise guidelines for the fuel industry

	Date:	Version:
	1 July 2006	Original document
	1 April 2015	Updated document
	12 July 2017	Updated document
You are here	11 December 2017	Updated document
	4 June 2021	Updated document
	1 July 2024	Current document

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