WORLD TRADE G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
23May1997
ORGANIZATION(97-2160)
Original: English Committee onImport Licensing
REPLIES TOQUESTIONNAIRE ONIMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
Notification under Article 7.3oftheAgreement on
Import Licensing Procedures
AUSTRALIA
Revision
Thefollowing notification, dated 28April 1997, hasbeenreceived fromthePermanent Mission
ofAustralia.
_______________
Import controls areadministered bytheoneauthority, theAustralian Customs Service, atthe
portofentry, butanumber ofAustralian Commonwealth Departments areresponsible forlegislation
andapproval oflicences. Consequently, replies totheQuestionnaire havebeenorganized according
tospecific products orgoods, andthelegislative instruments under which import controls forthem
aremaintained.1
1Copies oflegislation andregulations related toAustralia 'sreplies totheQuestionnaire areavailable forconsultation
intheSecretariat (Market Access Division).G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page2
Table ofContents
Page
PART I. ANIMALS, ANIMAL PRODUCTS, PLANTS AND GOODS ......... 4
Wildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982
Quarantine Act
- Quarantine (Animals, Plants, General) Regulations
- Quarantine Proclamations
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART II. WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE PRODUCTS .................... 7
Wildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982
PART III. THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES AND GOODS ................. 9
Therapeutic Goods Act1989
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART IV. NARCOTIC DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES
AND RELATED CHEMICALS ...........................11
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART V. ANTARCTICA .....................................16
Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act1980
PART VI. TERRITORY OFHEARD ISLANDS AND MCDONALD ISLANDS ....18
Environment Protection andManagement Ordinance 1987
PART VII. OZONE PROTECTION ..................................20
Ozone Protection Act1989
- Ozone Protection Regulations 1995
PART VIII. HAZARDOUS WASTE ..................................23
Hazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1989
- Hazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) Regulations
- Hazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) (OECD Decision)
Regulations
PART IX. RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ............................25
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page3
Page
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART X. HAZARDOUS AND HEALTH RELATED GOODS ..............27
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART XI. WEAPONS .........................................30
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART XII. OBJECTIONABLE ITEMS ..............................33
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART XIII. GOODS ORIGINATING INCERTAIN COUNTRIES .............35
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART XIV. COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ........................36
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART XV. WOOLPACKS ......................................39
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
PART XVI. MOVEABLE CULTURAL HERITAGE ......................41
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Protection ofMoveable Cultural Heritage Act1986
PART XVII. CHEESE, CERTAIN TYPES .............................42
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Tariff Act1987
APPENDICES ................................................46G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page4
I. ANIMALS (INCLUDING BIRDS, FISH AND INSECTS) AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS,
PLANTS AND GOODS OFGENERAL QUARANTINE CONCERN
Wildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982
Quarantine Legislation
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. TheWildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982(Wildlife Act)regulates
Australian andinternational trade inwildlife andwildlife products.
TheQuarantine Act,Quarantine (Animals) Regulations, Quarantine (Plants) Regulations,
Quarantine (General) Regulations andQuarantine Proclamations (collectively, Quarantine Legislation)
apply controls totheimportation ofallplants, parts ofplants andgoods made therefrom; animals
(including birds, fishandinsects), animal products, soilandother items ofgeneral quarantine concern.
Sections oftheCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations control theimportation ofsome
animals/items.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Apart fromregulating theexport ofspecimens ofnative Australian floraandfauna, theWildlife
Actaspresently constituted, controls:
- theimport ofliveanimals, plants, andallparts, products andderivatives ofanimals andplants;
- theimport andexport ofbirds subject totheJapan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement;
- theimport andexport ofanimals andplants listed intheConvention onInternational Trade
inEndangered Species ofWild Fauna andFlora (CITES).
Aswellascontrolling theimportation ofplants andanimals andtheirproducts andderivatives,
Quarantine Legislation applies toadiverse range ofitems suchas:
- straw packing, pallets, skids;
- dunnage andwaste;
- brushware (bristles orhairofanimal origin);
- vehicles andcertain machinery andequipment (forsoiltraces);
- infants food(milk inanyform); and
- galley waste andrefuse.
TheCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations control theimportations of:
- fishcaught byforeign based fishing vessels (Regulation 4B);
- dangerous dogs(Item 26,Schedule 1);and
- electric orpronged dogcollars (Item 10,Schedule 2).
3. Theregulations apply totheimportation ofgoods from allcountries.
4. TheWildlife Actseeks, byregulating Australian andinternational tradeinwildlife andwildlife
products, tocontribute totheprotection andconservation ofallnative Australian wildlife, endangered
wildlife andother wildlife thatcould become endangered. TheQuarantine Legislation andWildlifeG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page5
Actalsoseektoprotect theAustralian environment against further establishment ofpestspecies of
plantsandanimalsbycontrollingtheimportationofcertainliveplantsandanimals.Additionalquarantine
controls areapplied totheimportation offoodstuffs tomore specifically protect human health.
Under theCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations importation offishcaught byforeign
based fishing vessels isprohibited, toprovide quarantine protection oftheAustralian fishing resources.
Prohibition ontheimportation ofdangerous breeds ofdogswasintroduced because ofpublic concern
attheincreasing incidence ofattacks bydogsonhumans. Thecontrol ontheentry intoAustralia of
electric orpronged dogcollars wasputinplace asaresult ofconcerns expressed byveterinary and
animal welfare organisations regarding thepotential forsuchitems toinflict painandsuffering ondogs.
5. Thecontrols ontheimportation ofgoods specified inthiscategory arestatutory requirements
under thelegislation detailed below:
Wildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982
Quarantine Act
Quarantine (Animals) Regulations
Quarantine (Plants) Regulations
Quarantine (General) Regulations
Quarantine Proclamations
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
TheAustralian Nature Conservation Agency (ANCA) within theCommonwealth Department
ofEnvironment, Sport andTerritories isresponsible foradministration ofthelegislation contained
intheWildlife Protection Act.
TheAustralianQuarantineandInspectionService(AQIS)withintheCommonwealthDepartment
ofPrimary Industries andEnergy isresponsible foradministration oftheQuarantine Legislation.
TheAustralian Customs Service (ACS) within theCommonwealth Department ofIndustry,
Science andTourism isresponsible foradministration oftheCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations.
Thelegislation doesnotallow foradministrative discretion regarding goods/items subject to
import controls. Itisnotpossible fortheGovernment orexecutive branch toabolish thesystems without
legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade wellinadvance ofarrival ofthegoods toallow timefor
anynecessarycheckstobemaderegardingdetailssuppliedetc.Incertaincircumstances
import permission canbegiven forgoods which havearrived atthepoint ofentry and
where nopre-arranged permission isavailable.
(b) Inthecaseofmostimportations inthiscategory itwillnotbepossible forpermission
tobeissued immediately onrequest.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) Applications forpermission toimport mostanimals, plants andproducts thereof into
Australia involve asingle approach totheappropriate areaoftheAustralian QuarantineG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page6
andInspection Service (AQIS). Some requests mayrequire written support fromState
authorities orparticular specialist organisations before Commonwealth permission
canbeconsidered.
8. Beyond thefailure ofanapplicant tomeetstandard criteria, arequest forpermission toimport
canberefused atthediscretion oftherelevant Minister. Reasons forrefusal willnormally beadvised.
While there arenoformal structures inplace through which anappeal maybelodged, anapplicant
maychoose tocorrespond withtheMinister toquestion his/her decision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply foraLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Applications forpermission toimport mustbemade inwriting totherelevant Minister. The
form oftheapplication and information required will depend onthenature ofthe
animal/plant/product/derivative forwhich permission toimport isrequired. Where theimportation
oftheitemcomes under thejurisdiction oftheAustralian Nature Conservation Agency theimporter
should approach thatAgency directly specifying details ofwhether animals arealiveordead, whether
plants arealiveordead, aswellasother variations onwhich typeofanimal, animal product, plant
orgoods tobeimported. TheAgency willthenforward theappropriate form totheimporter for
completion. Theaddress forcorrespondence is:
Australian Nature Conservation Agency
GPO Box636
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Australia
Where theimportation oftheitemcomes under thejurisdiction oftheAustralian Quarantine
Inspection Service theimporter should approach thatService directly specifying details ofwhataspect
ofanimal, animal product, plant orgoods aretobeimported. TheService willthenforward the
appropriate form totheimporter forcompletion. Theaddress forcorrespondence is:
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service
Department ofPrimary Industries andEnergy
GPO Box858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Australia
11. Permits must beobtained prior toimportation andarerequired onimportation.
12. Where importations require periods ofquarantine containment ortreatment, e.g.cleaning,
spraying, toeliminate theriskofentry intoAustralia ofdiseases, pestsetc.,theimporter willusually
berequired tobearthecosts ofsuchaction. Specific details ofcharges maybeobtained onenquiry
directed totheappropriate permit issuing authority.
13. No.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page7
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Theperiod ofvalidity ofapermission would depend onthenature oftheimportation: specific
details tobesupplied onenquiry. Legislation willnormally notallow forcontinuing permission.
15. No.
16. No.
17. Conditions maybeapplied inrespect ofsuchissues ascustody, enduse,disposal ordistribution
ofimported goods. Specific details maybesupplied onenquiry.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
II. WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE PRODUCTS
Wildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982
Outline ofSystems
1. Under theWildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982 (theAct),
administered bytheWildlife Protection Section (WPS) ofEnvironment Australia, paper permits, as
required under theConvention onInternational Trade inEndangered Species ofWildFauna andFlora
(CITES), andauthorities areissued topersons, firms andorganisations fortheimportation ofwildlife
andwildlife products thataresubject tothelegislation. Thislegislation isenforced attheports of
entry bytheAustralian Customs Service which actsonbehalf oftheWPS. Anobligation exists under
theActthatrequires theDesignated Authority toprepare adocument notlessfrequently thanevery
12months, setting outparticulars ofpermits granted orauthorities given; refusals togrant permits
andauthorities; andthespecimens exported orimported inaccordance withpermits orauthorities.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Wildlife andwildlife products thataresubject tocontrol under thislegislation arelisted on
theschedulestotheAct.TheseschedulesaresimilartotheappendicestotheConventiononInternational
Trade inEndangered Species ofWild Fauna andFlora. Thesystem applies toallwildanimals with
theexception ofdomesticated stock.
3. Thesystem applies towildlife/wildlife products originating from allcountries.
4. There arenorestrictions inrelation tothequantity orvalue ofimports.
5. Wildlife Protection (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1982. Licensing isastatutory
requirement anddesignation isbystatute. Itisnotpossible tochange designations orabolish thesystem
without legislative approval.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page8
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Theimporter mustobtain approval before theitemleaves thecountry ofexport. The
maximum period allowed under theActis90daysi.e.thetimeallowed toassess
applications toimport. Licences canbeobtained within ashorter timeperiod. Licences
cannot beissued foritems arriving ataportwithout theprescribed documentation.
(b) Inexceptional circumstances licences canbegranted immediately onrequest.
(c) There arenosuchlimitations.
(d) Consideration oflicence applications iseffected bytheWPS. Importers may,however,
havetoapproach other government (Commonwealth, State andTerritory) agencies
forapproval toimport duetoconditions thatapply tothetypeofitem. Examples of
suchagencies would betheAustralian Quarantine andInspection Service (AQIS),
Therapeutic Goods Administration oraState National Parks andWildlife Service.
8. Apart fromstatutory orordinary requirements therearenoother criteria. Reasons forrefusal
aregiven toapplicants. Applicants refused permission toimport mayappeal totheAdministrative
Appeals Tribunal.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notallpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply duetorestrictions thatare
imposed ontransfers between suchorganisations aszoos, museums anduniversities.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible under thenon-restrictive system.
Aregister ofapproved institutions andzoosismaintained. Thepersons orfirms mustmeet
statutory requirements. Aregistration feeof$A150applies inmostinstances. There isnopublished
listofauthorised importers.
Documentational andother Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Thedocuments thatarerequired arethose thatwillverify theorigin ofthewildlife orwildlife
products, usually anexport permit fromtheConvention onInternational Trade inEndangered Species
ofFlora andFauna Management Authority oftheexporting country.
Prior toimportation occurring apermit issued byWPS isrequired. Under theActimport
permits arenotabletobeissued afterimportation. Iftheimport permit isnotissued before import
hasoccurred thentheitemwillbeseized. Import refers toarrival atanyAustralian territory/port or
waters. Acopyoftheapplication form isattached. (Appendix A)
11. TheWPS import permit andavalid export permit from thecountry oforigin.
12. Afeeof$A30applies tothegranting ofeachimport orexport permit.
13. Thefeemustbepaidbefore theissueofthepermit. Thefeeisfullyrefundable. Fullpayment
ofthefeeapplies -there isnorequirement foranadvance payment which isretained foradefined
period.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page9
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Thepermit isvalidforaperiod ofsixmonths inthecaseofanindividual consignment permit
andtwelve months foramultiple transaction authority. Neither canbeextended.
15. No.
16. No.
17. Conditions maybeimposed onthepermit. These conditions usually relate specifically tothe
tradeinwildlife. Onesuchcondition thatmaybeimposed isaprohibition onthetransfer ofawildlife
specimen toanother party.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Insome cases theapproval/certification ofother agencies isrequired prior totheissue ofa
permit orauthority.
19. Notapplicable.
III. THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES AND GOODS
Therapeutic Goods Act1989
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. ImportationintoAustraliaoftherapeuticgoodsforhumanuseiscontrolledundertheTherapeutic
Goods Act1989, anditsregulations, andCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations. Importation of
substances specified inRegulation 5A(1), andgoods included inSchedule 8oftheCustoms (Prohibited
Imports) Regulations iscontrolled under Regulation 5Ato5HAofthose Regulations andisprohibited,
exceptwithpermissionoftheSecretaryoftheCommonwealthDepartmentofHealthandFamilyServices.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thetherapeutic substances/goods covered are:
- Substances named inRegulation 5A(1). Currently, onlyantibiotic substances aresospecified.
AnExemption applies inthecaseof:
- antibiotics carried byapassenger onashiporaircraft where theantibiotics arefor
thesoleuseofthepassenger orthepassenger 'srelative; or,
- antibiotics imported byamember ofagroup ofpersons visiting Australia toparticipate
inanational orinternational sporting event foruseinthetreatment ofamember or
members ofthatgroup; and,
- theamount doesnotexceed 3months supply ofthesubstance atthemaximum dose
recommended bythemanufacturer ofthesubstance.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
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- Goods towhich Regulation 5Hrefers, thatis,goods which arelisted intheSchedule 8tothe
Regulations.
3. TheRegulations apply totheimportation oftherapeutic goods from allcountries.
4. Theimportation ofantibiotics isregulated asapublic health measure. Italsoallows information
onthedistribution andconsumption ofantibiotics inAustralia tobeobtained. Goods included inthe
Schedule 8totheRegulations arethose known tobeassociated withparticular hazards orconcerns
which warrant restriction orprohibition oftheiruse.Themonetary value ofthegoods isnotacriterion
forcontrol.
5. Thecontrol onimportation ofthespecified goods isastatutory requirement under theCustoms
(Prohibited Imports) Regulations made under theCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901.
Itisnotpossible toabolish thesystem without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Applications should bemade inadvance ofthearrival ofthegoods. Incertain
circumstances, import permission canbegiven forgoods which haveinadvertently
arrived atthepoint ofentry.
(b) Permits maybeissued immediately ifagenuine emergency exists.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) Applications forimport permission required byRegulation 5Ato5Hareprocessed
andissued within theCommonwealth Department ofHealth andFamily Services.
8. Ifpermission forimportation isrefused, thereasons arenotified totheapplicant inwriting.
Anappeal totheCommonwealth Minister forHealth maybemade within 90daysofthedecision being
notified. Inthecaseoftheapplicant being dissatisfied withtheMinister 'sfinding, anapplication may
bemade totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal forthereview ofthedecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport
provided theyaredomiciled inAustralia.
Documentational andother requirements forapplication oflicence
10. Forpermission toimport antibiotics (under Regulation 5A(1)) applications should bemade
inwriting, including thefollowing information:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- name andlocation ofthemanufacture ofthegoods;
- details ofthegoods tobeimported (whether rawmaterial orformulated product);
- quantity anddistribution (end-use).G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page11
Forpermission toimport goods specified inSchedule 8(Regulation 5Hrefers) thewritten
application must include:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- exporter 'sname andaddress;
- fulldetails oftheproduct proposed forimport;
- supervising doctor 'sprescription, ifapplicable;
- depending onthenature ofthegoods andtheintended purposes, further documentation or
evidence mayberequired.
11. Import authorization isusually issued intheformofapermit (Form T26), butmaybebyletter
ofauthority.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits mayapply tooneconsignment only, orremain validforsuccessive consignments within
astated period (usually twoyears).
15. No.
16. No.
17. Conditions arenotusually related tothequantity imported, butmaybeapplied regarding:
(a) thecustody, use,disposal ordistribution oftheimported goods;
(b) thekeeping ofrecords relating totheimported goods.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Importers oftherapeutic goods should familiarise themselves withtherequirements ofthe
Therapeutic Goods Act1989inrelation totheimportation oftherapeutic goods forsupply inAustralia:
forexample, requirements forentry ofgoods intheAustralian Register ofTherapeutic Goods prior
tosupply; requirements forcompliance withstandards andadvertising regulations andwithCodes
ofGood Manufacturing Practice.
19. Notapplicable.
IV. NARCOTIC DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AND RELATED CHEMICALS
Australian Commonwealth Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Licences andpermits areissued tocontrol theimport ofspecified narcotic drugs, psychotropic
substances andrelated chemicals. Thissystem fulfils partofAustralia 'sobligation under threeUnitedG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page12
Nations conventions inrelation torestricting thesupply ofcontrolled substances tothatnecessary to
meetmedical andscientific needandpreventing diversion totheillicit drugmarket.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thedrugs covered aresubstances listed inSchedule 4oftheCustoms (Prohibited Imports)
Regulations. Thelicensing system covers persons involved ininternational trade ofthose substances
listed inSchedule 4,theirderivatives, precursors andrelated substances. These include thedrugs
andchemicals required tobecontrolled under theSingle Convention onNarcotic Drugs, 1961, the
Convention onPsychotropic Substances, 1971, andTable IoftheConvention Against Illicit Traffic
inNarcotic Drugs andPsychotropic Substances, 1988.
Anexemption applies inthecaseofadrugthatisimported byapassenger onashiporaircraft
where thedrug:
- isrequired forthemedical treatment oftheperson oranother passenger under thecareofthe
person;
- wasprescribed byamedical practitioner forthepurpose ofthattreatment;
- wassupplied totheperson inaccordance withtheprescription ofthemedical practitioner.
3. Thesystem applies toimporters ofcontrolled substances from allcountries.
4. Theuseofimport licences andpermits enables theGovernment torestrict andmonitor the
quantities ofcontrolled substances imported. Thisisintended toprevent theover-supply anddiversion
ofcontrolled substances andisonestrategy adopted toaddress drugmisuse. Thesystem isbased on
therequirements oftheinternational treaties.
5. TheCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901 andtheCustoms (Prohibited Imports)
Regulations govern theimportation ofdrugs. Thelicensing ofimporters isastatutory requirement
under Section 50.3(a) and(s).
Section 50.3(b) oftheCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901. Thedrugs subject to
control arespecified inSchedule 4toRegulation 5oftheCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations.
Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. I. National import limits forsubstances controlled bytheSingle Convention aresetby
anestimates system administered bytheInternational Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
TheINCB publishes theestimates (import limits) forallparties totheconventions.
Allocation oflimits forimports fromparticular countries isnotapplicable. Individual
importers areallocated aquota, within Australia 'sestimate, foreachsubstance and
areadvised oftheirquotas. These quotas areregarded ascommercial-in-confidence
andarenotpublished ormade available tothirdparties. Requests forexceptions and
derogations from thelicensing requirements must bedirected totheTreaties and
Monitoring Section, Drugs ofDependence Branch, Commonwealth Department of
Health andFamily Services.
II. Quotas areallocated annually toeachlicensed importer based onprevious requirements
andstock levels. Some oftheestimate isnotallocated ininitial quotas sothatG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page13
individual allocations maybeincreased where justified andtomake provision fornew
importers.
III. Whether applicants aredomestic producers isnotrelevant totheirapplication foran
import licence. Import permits arerequired foreachshipment andareonlyissued
tolicensed importers. Quotas aremaximums rather thantargets andtherefore itis
notnecessary forpermits tobeissued fortheentire amount, norisunused allocation
accumulated. Alistoflicensed importers isavailable togovernments onrequest.
Quota information isnotavailable.
IV. Applications forlicences areaccepted atanytime. Quotas areassigned andreviewed
asINCB estimates areset.
V. Licence applications maytakesixtoeight weeks toprocess because ofthestringent
checks made onthepersonnel involved andonthesecurity arrangements inplace.
Licences areissued annually. Permits generally taketenworking daystoprocess.
Where theimporter isalready licensed, apermit maybeissued onthedayof
application. Almost allpermits areissued within tenworking daysoftheapplication.
VI. Animport permit maybeissued immediately following thegrant ofalicence. Import
could thenproceed.
VII. LicencesandpermitsareadministeredbytheTreatiesandMonitoringUnit,Therapeutic
Goods Administration, Commonwealth Department ofHealth andFamily Services.
Generally, noother authority isrequired. However additional controls areimposed
onsome substances (forexample, ifthedrugisnotapproved inAustralia, quarantine
restrictions etc.) andtheappropriate procedures forthese controls must alsobe
completed.
VIII. There isnolimitonthenumber oflicences andpermits tobeissued. However, where
relevant, thetotalimports cannot exceed theINCB administered estimate. Licence
renewals areexamined simultaneously. Newlicence applications areexamined upon
receipt.
IX. Import permits arerequired forallshipments ofcontrolled substances, regardless of
whether anexport permit isalsorequired. Infact, formany ofthecontrolled
substances, theconventions require thattheexport permit canonlybeissued afteran
import permit hasbeensighted.
X. Asrequired bytheSingle Convention onNarcotic Drugs andtheConvention on
Psychotropic Substances, copies ofallimport andexport permits areforwarded to
thecompetent authority oftheimporting orexporting country.
XI. Yes, when animport would result inAustralia exceeding theINCB estimate andthe
import isforthepurpose ofre-export.
7. (a) There isnominimum advance notice required foralicence orpermit application.
However, stringent checks ofapplicants forlicences areundertaken inorder toissue
alicence. Permits willonlybeissued toalicensed importer. Goods arriving atthe
portwithout apermit cannot beimported andretrospective permits cannot beissued.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page14
(b) Alicence would notnormally begranted immediately assome conditions must be
fulfilled. Checking ofapplicants 'suitability toholdalicence generally takes some
timeandtherefore licences cannot generally beissued immediately upon request.
(c) No.
(d) Import licences andimport permits arebothissued bytheCommonwealth Department
ofHealthandFamilyServices.Whenconsideringlicenceapplications,otherauthorities
maybecontacted bytheDepartment toverify application details (forexample, criminal
records). Theapplicant doesnotneedtoapproach these authorities.
8. Anapplication mayberefused if:
- thecriteria arenotmet. These criteria require theimporter tobea"fitandproper person"
andmaintain adequate security forstorage forsecurity;
- theimport would beexcessive tonational requirements;
- ifother permission isrequired buthavenotbeenobtained (forexample, quarantine, State
licences).
Alicence orpermit mayberevoked ifthelicence holder failstocomply withtheconditions
ofthelicence.
Theaffected person isnotified inwriting ofanyrefusal orrevocation. Theperson mayappeal
totheCommonwealth Minister forHealth andsubsequently totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Anyperson, firmorinstitution mayapply foralicence. Alicence shallnotbegranted
unless theapplicant isafitandproper person tobegranted alicence toimport drugs
andsuitable security arrangements fortheholding ofdrugs areinplace. Alicence
isgranted subject toconditions concerning use,saleanddistribution ofthesubstances.
Import permits areonlyissued tolicence holders. Inaddition, thelicence holder must
haveanauthority under State orTerritory lawtobeinpossession ofthesubstance
before apermit willbeissued.
Alistoflicensed importers isavailable toother governments fromtheCommonwealth
Department ofHealth andFamily Services.
(b) Notapplicable.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Applications forlicences andpermits mustbesubmitted oneither an"Application foraLicence
toImport Controlled Substances" or"Application foraPermit toImport Controlled Substances"
respectively. Copies ofthese Application Forms areattached. (Appendices BandC).
Foralicence application, thefollowing information must besupplied:
- name oftheapplicant (person ororganisation);
- address ofthepremises onwhich thecontrolled substance willbeheld;G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page15
- nature ofthebusiness (e.g.pharmaceutical manufacture, chemical distribution, etc.);
- classes ofcontrolled substances tobeheld(e.g. narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances,
precursor chemicals, laboratory standards, etc.);
- details oflicences heldrelating tothestorage, manufacture ordistribution ofthesubstances;
- details ofallpersons whowillhaveaccess tothecontrolled substances, including theirpositions
andqualifications andspecific background information toenable asecurity check;
- details ofthesecurity arrangements forthestorage, distribution andhandling ofthesubstances;
- details relating totheapplicant 'sappointment ofanagent (e.g.shipping, agent, customs agent,
etc.).
Forapermit application, thefollowing information must besupplied:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- overseas exporter 'sname andaddress;
- product description (name, form andstrength);
- number andsizeofthepacks;
- proposed dateofimport;
- mode oftransport (e.g.airfreight, seafreight, etc.);
- where applicable, thename oftheenduserandtheuseoftheendsubstance.
Aseparate Permit toImport isrequired forevery shipment ofacontrolled substance andwill
notbeissued unless alicence isalready held. Allpermits mustbeobtained inadvance ofthecontrolled
substance arriving inAustralia.
11. Theimport permit istherequired document and,forsome substances, thecomplementary
overseas export permit.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Import licences arevalid untiltheendofthecalendar year(year ofapplication orifapplied
forbefore September orfollowing yearifafterSeptember). Import permits areusually valid forsix
months, butmaybeamended ifnecessary.
15. No.However, ifalicence holder hasnotusedthelicence during theyearandapplies for
arenewal, theapplicant mayneedtojustify retention ofthelicence.
16. Licences andpermits arenottransferable. However, quotas maybetransferred between
importers withtheagreement ofbothparties.
17. Forlicences, conditions apply tothekeeping ofrecords andthereporting ofmovements. For
permits, specific conditions maybeendorsed onthepermit (forexample forre-export onlyorfor
veterinary useonly).
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page16
V. ANTARCTICA
AntarcticTreaty(EnvironmentProtection)Act1980asamendedbytheAntarctic(Environment
Protection) Legislation Amendment Act1992
Outline ofSystems
1. Under theAntarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act1980 asamended bytheAntarctic
(EnvironmentProtection)LegislationAmendmentAct1992,inlinewiththerequirementsoftheProtocol
onEnvironmental Protection totheAntarctic Treaty (theMadrid Protocol), itisnotpermitted toimport
certain items intoAntarctica. Thelegislation applies toAustralian nationals forallareas of60South
andforforeign nationals totheAustralian Antarctic Territory only.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Theimport licensing system ismaintained under theAntarctic Treaty (Environment Protection)
Act1980, which provides, under:
- Paragraph 19(1)(c), thataperson shallnotbring intotheAntarctic ananimal, plant, virus,
bacterium, yeast orfungus thatisnotindigenous totheAntarctic unless theanimal (notbeing
alivebird), plant, virus, bacterium, yeast orfungus, asthecasemaybe,wasbrought into
theAntarctic tobeusedasfood. None ofthese items maybebrought intoAntarctica for
research purposes unless authorised byapermit.
- Paragraph 19(1)(ca), thataperson shallnotbring into,orkeepin,theAntarctic non-sterile
soil,orpolychlorinated biphenyls, orpolystyrene beads orchips oranysimilar kindof
packaging material.
- Paragraph 19(1)(cb), thataperson shallnotbring into,orkeepin,theAntarctic anypesticide
unless forscientific, medical orhygienic purposes.
3. Thesystem applies togoods coming from allcountries.
4. Theabove restrictions havebeenputinplace toimplement theMadrid Protocol, theobjective
ofwhich isthecomprehensive protection oftheAntarctic environment anddependent andassociated
ecosystems.
5. TheAntarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act1980. Thesystem cannot beabolished
without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a)and(b)Scientists whohaveapplied toconduct research under theumbrella ofAustralian
National Antarctic Research Expeditions areadvised ifthereisaneedforthemtoobtain
apermit under paragraph 19(1)(c).
Approximately twoweeks should beallowed forprocessing ofanapplication fora
permit. Permits cannot beissued retrospectively, accordingly, where necessary, the
researcher must haveobtained apermit prior toarriving inAntarctica.
(c) No.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page17
(d) Permits areprepared bythePolicy Section oftheAntarctic Division ofthe
Commonwealth Department oftheEnvironment, Sport andTerritories.
8. Anapplication forapermit willonlyberefused ifitdoesnotmeet theordinary criteria.
Particularsofrefusalstograntpermitsareprovidedtotheapplicantandthoseparticularsareaccompanied
byastatement totheeffect that,subject totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal Act1975, application
maybemade totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal forthereview ofadecision torefuse togrant
apermit byoronbehalf oftheperson orpersons whose interests areaffected bythedecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allscientists whose research projects havebeenaccepted bytheAntarctic Science Advisory
Committee areeligible toapply forapermit. Nofeeischarged forapermit.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Thechiefinvestigator foraresearch project completes anapplication formforapermit. The
application should include thefollowing information:
- name andaddress ofapplicant;
- research location andresearch methodology;
- anynon-indigenous species being introduced toAntarctica;
- intended access tospecially protected areas;
- sample specimens tobeextracted;
- members ofresearch teamorfieldproject;
- organisation affiliated toresearch project.
Acopyoftheapplication form isattached. (Appendix D)
11. Inspectors appointed under theActmonitor activity undertaken toensure thatitisinaccordance
withtheapproved licence.
12. No.
13. Notapplicable.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Theperiod ofvalidity ofapermit isdependent onthelength oftimethescientist isscheduled
tostayinAntarctica, butitwould beunlikely forthisperiod toexceed 12months. Anapplication
maybemade bythechief investigator toextend theperiod ofvalidity ofapermit.
15. There isnopenalty fornon-utilisation ofapermit.
16. Permits arenottransferable. However, application canbemade toamend apermit toinclude
anewresearcher 'sname and,where appropriate, delete anyprevious researcher 'sname.
17. Notapplicable.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page18
19. Notapplicable.
VI. TERRITORY OFHEARD AND MCDONALD ISLANDS
Environment Protection andManagement Ordinance 1987
Outline ofSystems
1. Thepurpose ofthisOrdinance istopreserve andmanage theTerritory soastoprotect the
environment andtheindigenous wildlife oftheTerritory.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. TheTerritory ofHeard andMcDonald Islands Environment Protection andManagement
Ordinance 1987 prohibits:
- under Section 13oftheOrdinance theimportation intotheTerritory ofanydiseased organism,
orlivepoultry;
- under Subsection 14(1) oftheOrdinance theimportation intotheTerritory ofanyorganism,
oranydeadpoultry orpoultry products unless inaccordance withapermit. However, under
Subsection 14(2) nopermit isrequired where importation isdonetoavoid possible lossof
human lifeorinjury topersons, orrisktothesafety ofanaircraft, avehicle oravessel.
3. Thesystem applies togoods coming from allcountries.
4. No.
5. TheTerritory ofHeard andMcDonald Islands Environment Protection andManagement
Ordinance 1987. Itisnotpossible toabolish thesystem without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a)and(b)Scientists whohaveapplied toconduct research under theumbrella ofAustralian
National Antarctic Research Expeditions areadvised ifthereisaneedforthemtoobtain
apermit under Subsection 15(1).
Non-government tourists maycontact theAntarctic Division oftheCommonwealth
Department oftheEnvironment, Sports andTerritories toseekgeneral information
andrequirements andareatthattimeinformed oftheneedforthemtoobtain apermit
under subsection 15(1).
Approximately twoweeks should beallowed forprocessing ofanapplication fora
permit.Permitscannotbeissuedretrospectively.Thepermit-holdermusthaveobtained
thepermit prior toarrival intheTerritory.
(c) No.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page19
(d) Permits areprepared bythePolicy Section oftheAntarctic Division ofthe
Commonwealth Department oftheEnvironment, Sport andTerritories.
8. Anapplication forapermit willonlyberefused ifitdoesnotmeettheordinary criteria. The
reasons forrefusals aregiven totheapplicant andtheapplicant hasarightofappeal. Particulars of
refusals tograntpermits arepublished intheCommonwealth Government Gazette andthose particulars
areaccompanied byastatement totheeffect that,subject totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal
Act1975, application maybemade totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal forthereview ofadecision
torefuse togrant apermit byoronbehalf oftheperson orpersons whose interests areaffected by
thedecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Anyperson iseligible toapply forapermit toimport intotheTerritory.
Subsection 15(4) oftheOrdinance provides forthecharge ofafee,nottoexceed $A50,payable
inrespect oftheissue ofapermit. However, nofeeischarged.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Theapplication should include thefollowing information:
- name andaddress ofapplicant;
- details ofresearch location;
- anynon-indigenous species being introduced totheTerritory;
- useofradioisotopes;
- details ofsample specimens tobeextracted;
- members ofresearch teamorfieldproject;
- organisation affiliated toresearch project.
Theapplicant isnotrequired tosupply documentation withtheapplication. Acopyofthe
application form isattached. (Appendix E)
11. Thepermit system intheTerritory isself-regulating.
12. Notapplicable.
13. Notapplicable.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Theperiod ofvalidity ofapermit isdependent onthelength oftimetheapplicant isscheduled
tostayintheTerritory. Permits maybevaried toextend theperiod ofvalidity ofthepermit.
15. There isnopenalty fornon-utilisation ofapermit.
16. Permits arenottransferable. However, apermit canbevaried toamend thepermit toinclude
anewname and,where appropriate, delete anyprevious name.
17. Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page20
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Notapplicable.
19. Notapplicable.
VII. OZONE PROTECTION
Ozone Protection Act1989
Ozone Protection Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. TheOzone Protection Act1989establishes asystem ofcontrolled substances licences forthe
import, export andmanufacture ofhydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) andmethyl bromide. Import,
export andmanufacture ofchlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl chloroform andcarbon
tetrachloride hasbeenbanned since 1January 1996, other thaninlimited circumstances inwhich an
essential useslicence maybegranted, orwhere, inthecaseofrecycled orusedsubstances, aused
substance licence maybegranted. Strict conditions andreporting requirements apply.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Ozone-depletingsubstancesarecontrolledundertheMontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDeplete
theOzone Layer. Within Australia, theOzone Protection Act1989 implements thecontrols agreed
bytheMontreal Protocol Parties.
Acontrolled substances licence isrequired fortheimport, export andmanufacture ofHCFCs
andmethyl bromide (both pureandinmixtures). Anessential useslicence isrequired fortheimport,
export ormanufacture ofCFCs, halons, methyl chloroform andcarbon tetrachloride (both pureand
inmixtures). Ausedsubstance licence isrequired fortheimport orexport ofusedorrecycled CFCs,
halons, methyl chloroform andcarbon tetrachloride. Theimport andmanufacture ofcertain products
containing scheduled substances isprohibited. Exemptions maybegranted forimport ormanufacture
where theproduct meets strict essential usecriteria.
3. Thesystem applies togoods from allcountries.
4. Thelicensing isintended torestrict quantities ofozone-depleting substances asrequired by
theMontreal Protocol, andtheOzone Protection Act1989 forthepurpose ofprotecting theozone
layer. TheAustralian limitonHCFC activity isabout halfthatoftheMontreal Protocol. Ifoverall
HCFC activity exceeds apredetermined limitsetintheOzone Protection Act,aquota system will
betriggered.
5. Thestatutory requirements under which licensing ismaintained andrequired are:
- Ozone Protection Act1989
- Ozone Protection (Licence fees-Manufacture) Act1995
- Ozone Protection (Licence Fees- Imports) Act1995
- Ozone Protection Regulations 1995
- Ozone Protection (Licence Fees- Manufacture) Regulations 1995
- Ozone Protection (Licence Fees- Imports) Regulations 1995G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page21
Licensing isastatutory requirement. Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative
approval.
Procedures
6. Note: Atpresent, restrictions apply onlytocountries notoperating under Article 5.lofthe
Montreal Protocol.
I. Details arepublished intheGazette, customs notices, journals andinanAustralian
database forbusiness. TheGovernment dealsdirectly withholders ofexisting licences.
Theoverall amount only, andnotindividual importer 'sallocation, ispublished in
theCommonwealth Gazette. There isnothing intheActthatallows forexceptions
orderogations from thelicensing requirement.
II. Where quantities arelimited, thisisdone through licence conditions. Thecurrent
licence period istwoyears, orfrom application toendof1997. Notapplicable.
III. Manufacturers aresubject tothesame controls asimporters. Notapplicable. No.
Yes.
IV. Licence applications maybemade atanytime. Licence applications forcommencement
ofanewlicence period (i.e.1January 1998) aresought sixmonths prior tothe
commencement ofthelicence period. Iftherearespecific limits restrictions, applicants
areadvised atthetimeoflicence application.
V. Theaverage isabout twomonths forlicence applications. Licence applications are
submitted totheMinister inbatches whenever possible. TheOzone Protection Act
provides thatifattheendof60daysafteralicence application theMinister hasnot
granted alicence orrequested further information under Section 15,theapplication
isdeemed toberefused.
VI. Thisdepends onthecompany. Theoretically, alicence could beissued ononeday
andimports occur thenext.
VII. Yes, theEnvironment Protection Group oftheCommonwealth Department of
Environment, Sport andTerritories. Notapplicable. Notapplicable. No.
VIII. Formethyl bromide, based onprevious activity. Forother substances, based on
application, provided totals areconsistent withAustralia 'sinternational obligations.
Either orboth, depending onthecircumstances. HCFC quotas aresetinaccordance
withtheActandarebased onpastperformance. Anyone mayapply foralicence,
andmustmeet"fitandproper" person requirements before being granted alicence.
IX. There arenosuchbilateral arrangements. Notapplicable.
X. Notapplicable.
XI. No.
7. (a) Within usual processing times, twomonths. No.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page22
(b) No.
(c) No.Licence periods aretwocalendar years. Applications maybemade atanytime
within thetwoyears -thecommencement datewillbethedateofgrant andthe
termination datewillbetheendofthecurrent two-year period. Thelicence grant
feesof$A10,000 forcontrolled substances licences andusedsubstances licences and
$A2,000 foressential useslicences remain thesame whether applications aremade
atthestartoforduring thelicence period.
(d) Yes,theEnvironment Protection Group oftheCommonwealth Department ofthe
Environment, Sport andTerritories. No.Notapplicable. No.
8. Iftheapplicant meets thecriteria, thelicence isgranted. Reasons forrefusal ofthelicence
would begivetotheapplicant. Applications maybemade totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal
forareview ofthedecision ofrefusal toissue alicence.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Yes
(b) No.There isnosystem ofregistration.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Ingeneral, theapplications should include thefollowing information:
- name andaddress ofapplicant;
- amount ofthesubstance proposed toimport;
- theproposed useofthesubstance;
- amount ofprevious licences;
- convictions foroffenses against theActorRegulations committed within previous 10years;
- contraventions ofconditions ofalicence under theAct.
Copies oftheapplication forms areattached. (Appendices F-J).
11. Standard customs documentation andvalid Ozone Protection Actlicence.
12. Yes.SeeSection 7(c)fordetails ofgrant fees. Inaddition, quarterly activities feesarepayable
fortheimport andmanufacture ofHCFCs andmethyl bromide under controlled substances licences.
These feesarecalculated ataratebased onthequantities, imported ormanufactured, ofHCFCs
(measured inOzone Depleting Potential, ODP, tonnes) andmethyl bromide (measured inmetric tonnes).
13. Licences cannot begranted prior topayment oftheprescribed fee.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. See7(c).
15. No.
16. Yes.Transferee must beafitandproper person tobealicence holder. Thetransferrer and
transferee make ajointapplication totheMinister.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page23
17. Yes.Trading withcountries thatarenotsignatories totheMontreal Protocol isprohibited.
Reporting requirements apply toalllicences. Substances andapproved essential usesarespecified
under essential useslicences. Insome cases where thereisconcern astothecompany 'senvironmental
record, special conditions areimposed regarding environmental management systems.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
VIII. HAZARDOUS WASTE
Hazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1989
Hazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) Regulations
Hazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) (OECD Decision) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Under theHazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1989 (theAct),
administered byEnvironment Australia, permits areissued topersons, firms andorganisations forthe
importation (andexportation) ofhazardous wastes thataresubject tothelegislation. Arrangements
arebeing developed under which thislegislation willbeenforced attheportsofentry bytheAustralian
Customs Service (ACS) acting onbehalf ofEnvironment Australia. Allrecords inrelation totheissuing
ofimport permits andauthorities aremaintained inhardcopy andonacomputerised database.
TheActregulates alltransboundary movements ofhazardous wastes asagreed byAustralia
asaParty totheBasel Convention.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Inaccordance withAustralia 'sobligations under theBasel Convention andintheOrganisation
forEconomic Co-operation andDevelopment (OECD) Council Decision C(92)39, theActpresently
applies tohazardous waste aslisted ontheschedules tothose agreements. Under theAct,asystem
ofevidentiary certificates forspecified listed hazardous wastes provides greater certainty about materials
subject tocontrol. Guidance isbeing prepared onthehazardous characteristics ofspecific wastes,
andondiscriminating between thedefinition of"hazardous waste" anddiscriminating between "wastes"
and"products" byanexpert Technical Group authorized bytheMinister fortheEnvironment.
3. Thesystem applies totheimport ofhazardous wastes originating from anycountry.
4. Thelicensing ensures thatAustralia 'scommitments asaParty totheBasel Convention are
upheld. Tothateffect, transboundary movements ofhazardous wastes andother wastes istobereduced
totheminimum consistent withtheenvironmentally sound andefficient management ofsuchwastes
andtobeconducted insuchamanner which willprotect human health andtheenvironment against
theadverse effects which mayresult fromsuchmovement. Itisnotintended toplacespecific restrictions
astovalue orquantity ofimports.
5. Hazardous Waste (Regulation ofExports andImports) Act1989. Licensing isastatutory
requirement fortheimport ofanyhazardous waste listed inschedules totheBasel Convention orthe
OECD Council Decision (92)39. Matters ofdispute re.designation ofmaterials ashazardous wastesG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page24
canbereferred totheexpert Technical Group. Itisnotpossible toabolish thesystem without legislative
approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Theimporter mustobtain approval before theitemleaves thecountry ofexport. The
period allowed under theActisnormally 60days, i.e.,thetimeallowed toassess
applications toimport. Licences might beprocessed within ashorter timeperiod, but
itisnotpossible toguarantee thisinadvance. Licences cannot beissued foritems
arriving ataportwithout theprescribed documentation.
(b) No.Permits areissued onlyafterauthorization bytheCommonwealth Minister for
theEnvironment ordelegate, witharequirement under theActfordetermination of
thejustification forimport andthefitness oftheprocessing organisation totreatthe
material inanenvironmentally sound manner.
(c) There arenosuchlimitations.
(d) Consideration oflicence applications iseffected byasingle administrative organ,
Environment Australia. Importers may,however, havetoapproach otherGovernment
(Commonwealth, StateandTerritory) agencies forapproval toimport duetoconditions
thatapply tothetypeofitem. Examples ofsuchagencies would betheAustralian
Quarantine andInspection Service (AQIS), Therapeutic Goods Administration orthe
appropriate State orTerritory environment agency.
8. Apartfromstatutoryorordinaryrequirements,therearerequirementsundertheBaselConvention
forallStates ofTransit tocontrol thetransboundary movement. These controls willnormally bethe
responsibility oftheState ofexport. Refusal toaccept themovement byanysuchstateshallcause
theStateofexport todenyapermit. Reasons forrefusal ofanimport permit aregiven toapplicants.
Applicants refused permission toimport mayappeal totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Anyperson mayapply.
Documentational andother Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Ingeneral theapplication requests thefollowing information:
- identity andsuitability oftheapplicant, including applicant 'sname andaddress andfinancial
situation;
- description ofthematerial tobeimported and/or exported;
- method oftransportation, ports ofentry/exit forimportation/exportation;
- method ofdisposal ofthewaste.
Copies oftheapplication forms areattached. (Appendix K)(There aredifferent forms for
Basel Convention orOECD imports under theAct).G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page25
Additional documentation required withtheapplication includes verification thatthedisposal
issafe,thecapability oftheprocessors totreatthematerial, proof thatappropriate insurance hasbeen
arranged.
11. Theimport permit isrequired andavalid export permit from thecountry oforigin maybe
required asacondition ofthispermit.
12. Theamounts arebased onthestaffandancillary costs ofadministering apermit application.
TheCommonwealth Minister fortheEnvironment hasthediscretion toreduce theamount ofthefee
incertaincircumstances,suchaswherethewasteisbeingimportedorexportedforhumanitarianreasons,
forscientific research andtesting orencouraging activities which further environmentally sound
management ofhazardous wastes. Import application feesareA$270forBasel orSpecial (i.e.for
OECD trade) permits, orA$210where thefacility inAustralia towhich theyaretobesenthasbeen
pre-authorized.
13. Thefeemustbepaidatthetimeofapplication. Thefeeisnotrefundable. Fullpayment of
thefeeapplies -thereisnorequirement foranadvance payment which isretained foradefined period.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Theimport permit isvalidforaperiod ofuptotwelve months andmaycover either individual
consignments ormultiple transactions. Thepermit cannot beextended.
15. No.
16. Permits/licences arenottransferable between importers.
17. (a) No.
(b) Forproductsnotsubjecttoquantitativerestrictiontheremaybeotherconditionsimposed
onthepermit. These conditions usually relate specifically tothetransport, treatment
and/or disposal ofthehazardous waste.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Insome cases theapproval/certification ofother agencies isrequired prior totheissue ofa
permit. Thiswould usually besought byEnvironment Australia.
19. Notapplicable.
IX. RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Theimportationofradioactivematerialsandgoodscontainingradioactivematerialsisprohibited
under theprovisions oftheCustoms Act1901 andCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations unless
thepermission oftheCommonwealth Minister forSmall Business andConsumer Affairs orthe
CommonwealthMinisterforHealthandFamilyServicesoranauthorisedofficerfromtheCommonwealthG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page26
Department ofHealth andFamily Services isgranted. Inorder forapermit tobeconsidered the
applicant mustobtain aRadioactive Substance Licence fromtherelevant StateorTerritory Department
ofHealth.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thegoods covered include anyradioactive material orsubstance including radium, any
radioactive isotope oranyarticle containing anyradioactive material orsubstance. Examples ofgoods
which arequeried forthepresence ofradioactive material arelisted inAppendix 2:9ofVolume 5of
theAustralian Customs Service Manual.
3. Theregulations apply totheimportation ofgoods from allcountries.
4. Theimportation ofradioactive substances isregulated asacommunity protection measure and
tocomply withAustralia 'sinternational obligations under theBasel Convention ontheControl of
Transboundary Movements ofHazardous Wastes. Themonetary value isnotacriterion forcontrol.
5. ThecontrolonimportationofthespecifiedgoodsisastatutoryrequirementunderRegulation4R
oftheCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations made under theCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs
Act1901. Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade inadvance ofarrival ofthegoods.
(b) Permits cannot beissued immediately asimporters mustobtain aRadioactive Substance
Licence fromtherelevant StateorTerritory Department ofHealth inorder tobegranted
apermit toimport.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) Apermit isissued bytheMinister forSmall Business andConsumer Affairs orthe
Minister forHealth andFamily Services, oranofficer authorised byeither Minister.
However applications toimport radioactive materials orarticles containing radioactive
materials must bemade totheAustralian Radiation Laboratory. Before submitting
anapplication forpermission toimport, importers mustobtain aRadioactive Substance
Licence from therelevant State orTerritory Department ofHealth. Acopyofthat
licence must accompany theapplication.
8. Application forpermission toimport canberefused onthediscretion oftherelevant Minister.
There isnorightofappeal against theMinister 'sdecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page27
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Forpermission toimport applications mustbemade inwriting totherelevant Minister. The
application should include thefollowing information:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- details ofthegoods tobeimported;
- acopyoftheRadioactive Substance Licence.
11. Thewritten permission oftherelevant Minister isrequired tobeproduced onimport.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits apply tooneconsignment only.
15. No.
16. No.
17. ApermissiongrantedunderRegulation4Rmayspecifyconditionsorrequirementstobecomplied
withbytheholder ofthepermission.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
X. HAZARDOUS AND HEALTH RELATED GOODS
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Theimportation ofcertain goods which areathreat toconsumer welfare orhuman health and
safety isprohibited under theprovisions oftheCustoms Act1901 andCustoms (Prohibited Imports)
Regulations unless thepermission oftheCommonwealth Minister forSmall Business andConsumer
Affairs isgranted orunless specified conditions, restrictions orrequirements arecomplied with.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thegoods covered are:
Consumer welfare goods included inSchedules totheRegulations aslisted:G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page28
Fireworks Schedule 2
Venomous reptile specimens Schedule 2
Dummy shaped erasers Schedule 2
Motor vehicle helmets Schedule 2
Windscreens formotor vehicles Schedule 2
Insulated electric conductors Schedule 3
Human health andsafety related items included inSchedules totheRegulations aslisted:
Apparel containing tris Schedule 2
Toys andplaythings containing toxic metals Schedule 2
Cosmetics containing lead Schedule 2
Money boxes containing lead Schedule 2
Pencils andpaintbrushes coated withtoxic
metals Schedule 2
Certain poisonous seeds Schedule 2
Snake bitekits Schedule 2
Erasers which resemble foodinscent and
appearance Schedule 2
Metal drink dispensers leaching contaminants Schedule 2
Chemical warfare gas Schedule 2
Organic compounds oflead Schedule 3
Certain petroleum andshale products Schedule 3
Glazed ceramic-ware leaching toxic metals Reg4E
Polychlorinated biphenyls andpolychlorinated
terphenyls Reg4AB
3. Theregulations apply totheimportation ofgoods from allcountries.
4. Theimportationofthesegoodsisregulatedasacommunityprotectionmeasure.Goodsincluded
areknown tobeassociated withparticular public health orsafety hazards orconcerns which warrant
restriction orprohibition oftheiruse. Themonetary value isnotacriterion forcontrol.
5. Thecontrol onimportation ofthespecified goods isastatutory requirement under theCustoms
(Prohibited Imports) Regulations made under theCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901.
Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade inadvance ofarrival ofthegoods. Incertain
circumstances, import permission canbegiven forgoods which haveinadvertently
arrived atthepoint ofentry.
(b) Permits maybeissued promptly ifagenuine emergency exists.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) Applications forimport permission required bySchedule 2totheRegulations and
Regulation 4ABareprocessed andissued bytheAustralian Customs Service. Advice
issoughtfromtheBureauofConsumerAffairs,withintheCommonwealthDepartmentG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page29
ofIndustry, Science andTourism, withrespect toconsumer welfare goods andfrom
theCommonwealth Department ofHealth andFamily Services withrespect tohuman
health andsafety issues.
Goods specified inSchedule 3totheRegulations andRegulation 4Earenotpermitted
tobeimported unless certain conditions aremetor,inthecaseofinsulated cable, the
permission oftheCommonwealth Minister forSmall Business andConsumer Affairs
isobtained. Whether thespecified conditions aremetisamatter ofwhich theimporter
must satisfy theCustoms officer atthetimeofimport.
8. Application forpermission toimport canberefused onthediscretion oftherelevant Minister.
There isnorightofappeal against theMinister 'sdecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Forpermission toimport applications mustbemade inwriting totherelevant Minister. The
application should include thefollowing information:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- name andlocation ofthemanufacture ofthegoods;
- details ofthegoods tobeimported;
- quantity anddistribution (enduse).
11. Proof ofauthorization isrequired onimportation.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits apply tooneconsignment only.
15. No.
16. No.
17. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) PermissiontoimportgoodsspecifiedunderSchedule2totheRegulationsmaybesubject
toconditions regarding thecustody, use,disposal ordistribution oftheimported goods.
GoodsspecifiedinSchedule3totheRegulationsarenotpermittedtobeimportedunless
certain conditions aremetasfollows:G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page30
- Insulatedelectricalcordasspecifiedmustcomplywiththeconditionsandrequirementsspecified
inanyApproval andTestSpecification oftheStandards Association ofAustralia ortheimporter
musthaveobtained theconsent inwriting oftheCommonwealth Minister forSmall Business
andConsumer Affairs.
- Organic compounds ofleadasspecified mustbetransported toAustralia inatanker orstrongly
builtcontainers toprevent leakage orbreakage andcarry alabelindicating thatthecontents
arepoisonous andthatcareshould betaken toavoid inhalation ofvapours andcontact with
theskin.
- Petroleum andshale products asspecified, unless imported inatanker, mustbeimported in
secure containers andbelabelled thatthecontents are"Highly Inflammable".
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
XI. WEAPONS
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Theimportation offirearms andother dangerous weapons isregulated bytheCommonwealth
ofAustraliaCustomsAct1901,andtheCustoms(ProhibitedImports)Regulations.Regulation3prohibits
absolutely theimportation offirearms andpartsforfirearms specified inSchedule 6totheRegulations.
Regulation 4prohibits theimportation ofgoods specified inSchedule 2totheRegulations unless the
permission oftheMinister forJustice isgranted andSchedule 6totheRegulations unless specified
conditions orrestrictions arecomplied with.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Theweapons covered are:
- weapons named inSchedules 2and6which require apermit forimport;
- firearms andparts offirearms listed inSchedule 6which require compliance withcertain
conditions, restrictions orrequirements before importation.
3. Theregulations apply toimportation from allcountries.
4. Controlsontheimportationofweaponshavebeenintroducedasacommunityprotectionmeasure.
Theimportation ofweapons isregulated asameans ofpreventing theiruseforunlawful purposes.
Imported firearms arealsorequired tosatisfy certain safety requirements. Themonetary value isnot
acriterion forcontrol.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page31
5. Thecontrol onimportation ofthespecified goods isastatutory requirement under theCustoms
(Prohibited Imports) Regulations made under theCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901.
Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade inadvance ofarrival ofthegoods. Incertain
circumstances, import permission canbegiven forgoods which haveinadvertently
arrived atthepoint ofentry.
(b) Permits would beissued assoonaspossible ifagenuine emergency exists.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) Applications forimport permits required bySchedules 2and6areprocessed bythe
AustralianCustomsService.ThepermissionoftheCommonwealthMinisterforJustice
isgiven subject toapproval ofStatePolice thattheimporter complies withallthelaws
ofthestateofresidence orimportation, therefore theapplicant must apply tothe
respective State Police forapproval prior toapplying forapermit.
Applications forimport permits under Regulation 4D,4DA and4DBareprocessed
bytheCommonwealth LawEnforcement Board, withthepermission being issued by
theCommonwealth Minister forJustice.
Applications forpermits under Regulation 2(1)(exempt firearms) areissued by:
- inthecaseoffirearms forofficial purposes either theCommonwealth Minister
forJustice ortheMinister responsible forpolice intherespective State or
Territory;
- inthecaseofhand-gunstherespectiveStateorTerritoryPoliceCommissioner.
Inaddition, Regulation 2(1)A requires allfirearms ofaclassdefined asexempt firearms
toonlybeimported subject totheimporter being issued bytherelevant StatePolice
authority astatement inanapproved form thattheimporter holds alicence or
authorization inaccordance withthelawsoftheStateorTerritory topossess afirearm
ofthatkind.
8. Application forpermission toimport canberefused atthediscretion oftherelevant Minister.
Ifpermission forimportation isrefused thereasons neednotbenotified totheapplicant. There is
noright ofappeal against theMinister 'sdecision where thedecision inquestion isadecision of
Government policy.
Permission toimport anexempt firearm orhand-gun canalsoberefused depending onthe
outcome ofsafety testing requirements.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page32
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Where aweapon maybeimported subject totherelevant Police authority having noobjection
totheimporter possessing theweapon, thepolice endorsement should beonaForm B709A:
"Importation ofFirearms -Police Confirmation". Thefollowing information isrequired ontheform:
- name andaddress oftheimporter;
- quantity ofweapons tobeimported;
- description ofweapons tobeimported;
- supplier (ifapplicable) ofweapons;
- Licence/Authorization No.andDateofIssue.
Acopyoftheform isattached. (Appendix L)
Where permission oftheMinister isrequired, application must bemade inwriting tothe
respective Minister.
11. Where thepermission ofaMinister isrequired thecertificate orstatement approving theimport
must beproduced atthetimeofactual importation.
Where aweapon maybeimported subject totherelevant Police authority, acompleted Form
B709A must beproduced atthetimeofimportation.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits apply totheimport ofthestated goods only.
15. No.
16. No.
17. Conditions maybeapplied regarding:
- thecustody, use,disposal ordistribution oftheimported goods;
- thekeeping ofrecords relating totheimported goods.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page33
XII. OBJECTIONABLE ITEMS
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Import controls existonoffensive publications andgoods entering Australia. Material which
isprohibited under Regulation 4A,Importation ofObjectionable Goods, oftheCustoms (Prohibited
Imports) Regulations maynotbeimported without theprior written approval oftheCommonwealth
Attorney-General orbyaperson authorised byhim/her.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thegoods covered bythiscontrol areobjectionable goods which include:
publications that:
- depict achild inamanner likely tocause offence;
- depict bestiality inamanner likely tocause offence;
- depict actsofconsiderable violence orcruelty orsexual violence against non-consenting
persons;
- promote, incite orinstruct inmatters ofcrime orviolence;
- promote theuseofaprohibited drug;
other goods that:
- depict matters ofsex,drugmisuse oraddiction, crime, cruelty, violence orrevolting
orabhorrent phenomena inamanner likely tocause offence;
- depict achild inamanner thatislikely tocause offence.
3. Theregulations apply totheimportation ofgoods from allcountries.
4. Theimportationofthesegoodsisregulatedasacommunityprotectionmeasure.Goodsincluded
areconsidered tobedetrimental tothewell-being ofthecommunity. Themonetary value isnota
criterion forcontrol.
5. Thecontrol onimportation ofthespecified goods isastatutory requirement under theCustoms
(Prohibited Imports) Regulations 4Amade under theCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901.
Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade inadvance ofarrival ofthegoods.
(b) No.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) Applications forimport permission required byRegulation 4Aareprocessed andissued
bytheCommonwealth Attorney-General 'sDepartment. Theresponsibility for
determining whether material isprohibited under Regulation 4ArestswiththeOfficeG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page34
ofFilm andLiterature Classification oftheCommonwealth Attorney-General 's
Department.
8. Application forpermission toimport canberefused onthediscretion oftheCommonwealth
Attorney-General. Where anapplication isrefused, application forareview ofthedecision torefuse
apermit maybemade totheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal. TheAttorney-General maycertify
inwriting thatinthepublic interest theresponsibility forpermission orrefusal should remain solely
withtheAttorney-General andshould notbereviewable bytheAdministrative Appeals Tribunal.
Acopyofthecertificate including astatement ofthegrounds onwhich thecertificate isgiven should
begiven totheperson towhom permission isrefused. Ifpermission isrefused theAttorney-General
istonotify theperson refused inwriting within 30daysofthedecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Forpermission toimport applications must bemade inwriting totheCommonwealth
Attorney-General oranauthorised person (Chief Censor). Theapplication should include thefollowing
information:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- details ofthegoods tobeimported;
- quantity anddistribution (enduse); and,
- thepurposes forwhich thegoods aretobeimported.
11. Proof ofauthorization isrequired onimportation.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits apply tooneconsignment only.
15. No.
16. No.
17. Conditions maybeapplied regarding thecustody, use,reproduction, disposal, destruction or
exportation oftheimported goods orwithrespect toaccounting forthegoods forthepurpose ofensuring
thatthegoods arenotusedotherwise thanforthepurposes forwhich permission wasgranted.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page35
XIII. GOODS ORIGINATING INCERTAIN COUNTRIES
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Import controls existongoods originating incertain countries. Under theCustoms (Prohibited
Imports) Regulations goods originating inspecified countries maynotbeimported without theprior
written approval oftheMinister forForeign Affairs.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Theimport ofgoods originating incertain countries isregulated tocomply withAustralia 's
international obligations. Thegoods which areregulated include:
goods ofanydescription from:
- Iraq;
from anycountry -goods originating in:
- Iraq.
3. Theregulations apply totheimportation ofgoods from:
- thespecified countries;
- allcountries -withrespect togoods originating inthespecified countries.
4. Theimportation ofthese goods isregulated inaccordance withAustralia 'sinternational
obligations. Thequantity ormonetary value isnotacriterion forcontrol.
5. Thecontrol onimportation ofthespecified goods isastatutory requirement under theCustoms
(Prohibited Imports) Regulations 4QAmade under theCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901.
Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade inadvance ofarrival ofthegoods.
(b) Incertain circumstances permission maybegranted oncethegoods haveinadvertently
arrived atthepoint ofentry.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanytime.
(d) Applications forimport permission required byRegulation 4QAareprocessed and
issued bytheDepartment ofForeign Affairs andTrade.
8. Application forpermission toimport canberefused onthediscretion oftheMinister forForeign
Affairs. There isnorightofappeal against theMinister 'sdecision where thedecision inquestion is
adecision ofGovernment policy.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page36
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Forpermission toimport applications must bemade inwriting totheMinister forForeign
Affairs. Theapplication should include thefollowing information:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- details ofthegoods tobeimported;
- quantity ofgoods tobeimported;
- reason forimportation.
11. Proof ofauthorization isrequired onimportation.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits apply tooneconsignment only.
15. No.
16. No.
17. Conditions maybeapplied regarding:
- thequantity ofgoods tobeimported;
- thecircumstances inwhich thegoods maybeimported;
- times forcompliance towhich theimportation issubject.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
XIV. COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Theimportation ofprescribed radiotelephony equipment isprohibited unless aTypeApproval
Certificate Issued bytheCommonwealth Minister forCommunications andtheArtscertifies thatthe
equipment meets theAustralian standard. Theimportation ofcordless telephones isprohibited without
thispermission oftheMinister orunless acertificate ofcompliance withAustralian standards anda
Permit-to-connect Authorization issued bytheAustralian Telecommunications Authority (AUSTEL)
areproduced.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page37
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thegoods covered bythissystem arethose listed inRegulations 4Mand4PoftheCustoms
(Prohibited Imports) Regulations which include:
- Radiotelephony equipment which isdescribed inRegulation 4M(1) asradiotelephony equipment
thattransmits onfrequencies selected bymeans ofafrequency selector switch andnoother
means. Thisincludes Citizen Band radios abletotransmit onanychannel other thanthe40
approved Australian channels inthe27MHz frequency band;
- Cordless telephones asdefined inRegulation 4P(1) which consist oftwocomponents:
- afixed basestation connected bymeans ofacordtothetelephone network; anda
handset (orhandsets) notconnected tothebase station byacord, butwhich
communicates withthefixed basestation bymeans ofradio signals. Thebasestation
thenrelays thesignal tothetelephone network bymeans ofthecord.
Thepermit system doesnotapply tomobile orcellular telephones.
3. Theregulations apply toimportation from allcountries.
4. Thecontrol ontheimportation ofthese goods wasintroduced toprevent theimportation of
models which donotcomply withtechnical specifications introduced toovercome radio andtelevision
interference problems. With mains powered cordless telephones there arealsoelectrical safety
considerations. Themonetary value isnotacriterion forcontrol.
5. Thecontrol onimportation ofthesegoods isastatutory requirement under theCommonwealth
ofAustralia Customs Act1901 andtheCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 4Mand4P.The
system cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade inadvance ofarrival ofthegoods. Incertain
circumstances, import permission canbegiven forgoods which haveinadvertently
arrived atthepoint ofentry.
(b) Permits maybeissued promptly ifagenuine emergency exists.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) Applicants forimport permits required byRegulation 4Marerequired toproduce a
Type Approval Certificate issued bytheCommonwealth Department for
Communications andtheArts certifying thatthemodel meets Ministerial Standard
ECR 312.
Applicants forimport permits required under Regulation 4Parerequired toproduce
apermit issued bytheCommonwealth Minister forCommunications andtheArtsor
anauthorised officer; oracompliance certificate issued bytheCommonwealth
Department ofCommunications andtheArtsoraCertificate ofCompliance issued
bytheMinister ofCommunications andtheArts, theSpectrum Management Agency
(under theMinister forCommunications andtheArts) oratestlaboratory approvedG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page38
bytheSpectrum Management Agency, andaPermit-to-connect Authorization issued
bytheAustralian Telecommunications Authority (AUSTEL).
8. Application forpermission toimport canberefused onthediscretion oftheCommonwealth
Minister forCommunications andtheArts. There isnorightofappeal against theMinister 'sdecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Forpermission toimport, applications must bemade inwriting totherelevant Minister.
Theapplication should include thefollowing information:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- name andlocation ofthemanufacture ofthegoods;
- details ofthegoods tobeimported;
- quantity anddistribution (enduse).
11. Under Regulation 4MaType Approval Certificate issued bytheCommonwealth Minister for
Communications andtheArtscertifying thattheequipment meets theMinisterial Standard ECR 312
must beproduced atthetimeofimportation.
Under Regulation 4PaPermission toimport issued bytheCommonwealth Minister for
Communications andtheArtsoraCertificate ofCompliance issued bytheCommonwealth Minister
forCommunications andtheArts, theSpectrum Management Agency oratestlaboratory approved
bytheSpectrum Management Agency, andaPermit-to-connect Authorization issued bytheAustralian
Telecommunications Authority (AUSTEL) must beproduced atthetimeofimportation.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits apply tooneconsignment only.
15. No.
16. No.
17. Permission toimport under Regulation 4Misconditional ontheequipment complying with
Ministerial Standard ECR 312.
Inconsidering anapplication forpermission toimport under regulation 4PtheMinister will
haveregard towhether theequipment will:
- cause injury topersons ordamage toproperty; or
- cause interference withtheuseofother equipment usedintelecommunications.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page39
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
XV. WOOLPACKS
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations
Outline ofSystems
1. Theimportation ofwoolpacks andwoolpack capsisprohibited under theprovisions ofthe
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901andCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations unless
thepermission oftheCommonwealth Minister forPrimary Industries andEnergy orauthorised person
isgranted, oraTestCertificate certifying thatthewoolpacks conform toAustralian standards is
produced.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thegoods covered are:
- Newwoolpacks andwoolpack capsunless:
- thepermission oftheMinister oranauthorised person isobtained; or,
- aTestCertificate issued byaprescribed testing authority, certifying thatthewoolpacks
orwoolpack capsconform toAustralian Wool Research andPromotion Organisation
Standards isproduced.
- Second-handwoolpacksandwoolpackcapsunlessthepermissionoftheMinisteroranauthorised
person isobtained. Theimportation ofsecond-hand woolpacks foruseascontainers ofwool
isnotpermitted.
3. Theregulations apply totheimportation ofgoods from allcountries.
4. Theimportation ofwoolpacks isregulated toprovide adequate packstrength andtominimise
fibrecontamination oftheAustralian Wool clip.
5. ThecontrolonimportationofthespecifiedgoodsisastatutoryrequirementunderRegulation4K
oftheCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations made under theCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs
Act1901. Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application should bemade inadvance ofarrival ofthegoods. Incertain
circumstances, import permission canbegiven forgoods which haveinadvertently
arrived atthepoint ofentry.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page40
(b) Permits maybeissued promptly ifagenuine emergency exists.
(c) Permits maybeissued atanyperiod oftheyear.
(d) ATestCertificate maybeissued byaprescribed testing authority inAustralia or
overseas tocertify thatthewoolpacks orwoolpack capsconform toAustralian Wool
Research andPromotion Organisation Standards. Alistofprescribed testing authorities
iscontained inAppendix 2:3ofCustoms Service Manual, Volume 5.
Applications forimport permission areprocessed andissued bytheCommonwealth
Department ofPrimary Industries andEnergy.
8. Application forpermission toimport canberefused onthediscretion oftheMinister. There
isnorightofappeal against theMinister 'sdecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forpermission toimport.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Forpermission toimport applications mustbemade inwriting totheMinister. Theapplication
should include thefollowing information:
- importer 'sname andaddress;
- details ofthegoods tobeimported;
- quantity anddistribution (enduse).
11. Proof ofauthorization oraTestCertificate isrequired onimportation.
12. No.
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits apply tooneconsignment only.
15. No.
16. No.
17. Conditions maybeapplied regarding thecustody, use,disposal ordestruction oftheimported
woolpacks orwoolpack capsforthepurpose ofensuring thattheyarenotusedotherwise thanforthe
purpose forwhich thepermission isgranted.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. NoG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page41
19. Notapplicable.
XVI. MOVEABLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Protection ofMoveable Cultural Heritage Act1986
Outline ofSystems
1. Theimportation ofparticular objects ofcultural property, which theCommonwealth Minister
forCommunications andtheArtshasspecified, isprohibited. Nosystem oflicensing orpermits applies
tomoveable cultural objects.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thecultural objects covered are:
- those objects which theMinister considers should beforfeited under section 9oftheProtection
ofMoveable Cultural Heritage Act,1986.
- those objects which aforeign country hasrequested thereturn ofandtheMinister considers
should beforfeited under section 14oftheProtection ofMoveable Cultural Heritage Act,1986.
3. Theregulations apply toimportation from allcountries.
4. Thecontrol ontheimportation ofcultural objects hasbeenintroduced toenable Australia to
honour itsobligations under the1970UNESCO Convention ontheMeans ofProhibiting andPreventing
theIllicit Import, Export andTransfer ofOwnership ofCultural Property. Themonetary value is
notacriterion forcontrol.
5. Thecontrol onimportation ofmoveable cultural heritage isastatutory requirement under the
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901andtheProtection ofMoveable Cultural Heritage Act
1986. Thedesignation ofgoods tobecontrolled isatthediscretion oftheCommonwealth Minister
forCommunications andtheArts. Thesystem cannot beabolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. Notapplicable.
8. Notapplicable.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Notapplicable.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page42
11. Notapplicable.
12. Notapplicable.
13. Notapplicable.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Notapplicable.
15. Notapplicable.
16. Notapplicable.
17. Notapplicable.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Notapplicable.
19. Notapplicable.
XVII. CHEESES, CERTAIN TYPES
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901
Commonwealth ofAustralia Customs Tariff Act1987
Outline ofSystems
1. Australia administers atariff quota onimports ofcertain types ofcheese. Thetariff quota
applies tocertain types ofcheese originating in,andcoming from, allcountries withtheexception
ofNewZealand, Papua NewGuinea andSouth Pacific Forum Island countries. Thetariffquota allows
fortheimportation ofupto11,500 tonnes ofdutiable cheese atatariff rateof$A96pertonne with
imports above thatlevelattracting tariff atthebound rate-$A1.403 perkilogram in1995, reducing
to$A1.220 perkilogram in2000.
Theallocations arebased onfiscal years from JulytoJune.
Upto31December 1994, imports inexcess ofthetariff quota were dutiable at$A2.100
perkilogram. Thetariff quota arrangements outlined inthisnotification were revised on1January
1995inorder toimplement Australia 'sUruguay Round commitments aslisted inAustralia 'sSchedule
ofCommitments.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Nolicensing system, assuch, ismaintained. Individuals orcompanies which havehistorically
imported dutiable cheese areallocated ashare ofthetariff quota, allowing them toimport aquantity
ofcheese attheconcessional rateofduty. Individuals orcompanies which donothaveashare of
thetariff quota maystillimport cheese however attheout-of-quota tariff rate. Theproducts covered
bythetariff quota areasfollows:G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
Page43
Number
0406Product Type
Cheese andcurdRate ofDuty
0406.10 Fresh (unripened oruncured) cheese including whey cheese,
andcurd$A0.096/kg (a)
$A1.403/kg (b)
0406.20 Grated orpowdered cheese ofallkinds $A0.096/kg (a)
$A1.403/kg (b)
0406.30 Processed cheese, notgrated orpowdered $A0.096/kg (a)
$A1.403/kg (b)
0406.40 Blue-veined cheese:
-Roquefort, Stilton
-otherFree (c)
$A0.096/kg (a)
$A1.403/kg (b)
0406.90 Other cheeses ofthefollowing types
-made wholly from goats milk other thanFetaor
Kasseri
-Surface-ripened soft, having:
(a)afatcontent inthedrymatter ofnotless
than50% byweight, and
(b) amoisture content ofnotlessthan65%
byweight ofthenon-fatty matter
-Other (includes Edam, Gouda, unprocessed
Cheddar, Feta, Kasseri andSwiss orEmmenthaler
typesFree (c)
Free (c)
$A0.096/kg (a)
$A1.403/kg (b)
(a) Rateforcheese imported within thetariff quota.
(b) Bound rateforcheese imported inexcess oftariff quota ceiling, reducing to$A1.366 per
kilogram from 1January 1996, $A1.330 from 1January 1997, $A1.294 from 1January 1998,
$A1.257 from 1January 1999 and$A1.220 from 1January 2000.
(c) Notsubject tothetariff quota. Included intableonlytoindicate coverage ofresidual tariff
item("other").
Note: Theratefordeveloping countries isasshown inthetableabove, less5%ofthecustoms value
(f.o.b. price) oftheproduct.
3. Thesystem applies tocheeses originating inandcoming fromallcountries withtheexception
ofNewZealand, Papua NewGuinea andSouth Pacific Forum Islands.
4. Thelicensing isusedtoadminister thetariff quota.
5. ThelawistheCommonwealth ofAustralia Customs Act1901, andtheCommonwealth of
Australia Customs Tariff Act1987.
6. I. Thenames ofalltariff quota holders aremade public through publication inthe
Commonwealth Government Gazette.
II. Thesizeofthetariff quota is11,500 tonnes perannum. Theallocation ofthetariff
quota toindividual importers occurs onanannual basis.
III. Tariff quota allocations toindividuals orcompanies arebased onhistorical trade
performance intheimportation ofcheese. Notariff quota isallocated onthebasisG/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
Page44
ofdomestic production oflikeproduct. Unused parts ofthetariff quota allocation
arenotadded tothetariff quota forthefollowing yearexcept where there are
exceptional circumstances preventing thelanding ofaconsignment intheperiod
immediately before thenewtariff quota period begins.
IV. Notapplicable.
V. Notapplicable.
VI. Notapplicable.
VII. TheAustralian Customs Service administers allaspects ofthescheme.
VIII. Tariff quotas areallocated toimporters onthebasis ofhistorical trade performance.
Boththe1993/94 and1994/95 tariff quotas havebeenallocated onthebasis ofthe
sizeoftheircheese imports in1990/91 and1991/92. Newimporters areabletoacquire
tariff quota allocation ontransfer from anexisting holder oftariff quota allocation.
IX. Notapplicable.
X. Notapplicable.
XI. No.
7. Notapplicable.
8. None.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) No.Only those firms thathaveahistory oftrade performance inimporting cheese
areallocated ashare inthetariff quota. Theallocation byGovernment ofthetariff
quota ismade strictly onthebasisofthishistorical tradeperformance. Firms arefree
totransfer tariff quota allocation.
(b) Notapplicable.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Applications arenotrequired. Eligible importers areadvised oftheirentitlement based on
theAustralian Customs Service records ofentries lodged during thebaseperiod (for1994/95, this
period is1July1990 to30June1992).
11. Noquota specific document isrequired onimportation.
12. There isnolicensing feeoradministrative charge.
13. No.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1//Rev.1
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Conditions ofLicensing
14. Twelve-month period withnoextensions.
15. There arenoofficial penalties forindividuals orcompanies thatdonotutilise theirallocation.
However, since allocations arebased onhistorical trading performance, individuals orcompanies that
donotutilise theirallocation willeither losetheirallocation orhaveitreduced.
16. Tariffquotaallocationscanbetransferredbetweenindividualsandcompanieswithoutlimitation.
17. (a) No
(b) No.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1/Rev.1
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APPENDICES2
A. Application foraPermit toExport orImport Wildlife (Part II)
B. Application foraLicence/Licence Renewal toImport Controlled Substances (including Personal
Details ofEmployees Responsible forControl over, Access toandSecurity ofControlled
Substances form) (Part IV)
C. Application foraPermit toImport Controlled Substances (Part IV)
D. Antarctic treaty (Environment Protection) Act1980 -Application foraPermit (Part V)
E. Territory ofHeard andMcDonald Islands Environment Protection andManagement Ordinance
1987 -Application foraPermit (Part VI)
F. Application foraControlled Substances Licence Under Section 13A(ToManufacture, Import
andExport Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) (Part VII)
G. ApplicationforaControlledSubstancesLicenceUnderSection13A(MethylBromide)(PartVII)
H. Application foranEssential UsesLicence Under Section 13A(ToManufacture, Import and/or
Export CFCs, Halons, Methyl Chloroform orCarbon Tetrachloride) (Part VII)
I. Application foraUsedSubstances Licence Under Section 13A(ToImport and/or Export CFCs,
Halon, Methyl Chloroform orCarbon Tetrachloride) (Part VII)
J. Joint Application forTransfer ofaLicence Under Section 19B(Part VII)
K. Transfrontier Movement ofWaste (Notification Form (OECD))
Transfrontier Movement ofWaste (Movement/Tracking Form (OECD))
Transboundary Movement ofWaste (Notification (Basel Convention))
Transboundary Movement ofWaste (Movement Document (Basel Convention))
Transboundary Movement ofWaste (Supplementary Form) (Part VIII)
L. Form B709A -Importation ofFirearms -Police Confirmation (Part XI)
2Available forconsultation intheSecretariat (Market Access Division).