Add to Favorite
Magazine 
Magazine
Operators welcome Australian allowance proposalsOperators welcome Australian allowance proposals
The Australian government has announced proposals to amend duty-free allowances for visitors to the country and returning nationals.
The Australian government has announced proposals to amend duty-free allowances for visitors to the country and returning nationals. If agreed by the countries states and territories, the changes will double the amount of liquor travellers are permitted to bring into Australia and more than double the total value of goods visitors may bring.
The proposed changes are:
- An increase in the alcohol concession from 1.125l to 2.25l.
- An increase in the general concession from A$400 to A$900 ($260-580)for adult travellers and from A$200 to A$450 ($130-290) for minors.
- The abolition of the A$50 ($32.25) waiver provision for all passengers, to be replaced with a requirement that duty and/or tax be payable on the full value of goods within any category where the concession limit for that category is exceeded.
- To coincide with the abolition of the waiver provision, an allowance will be made within the tobacco concession to permit the carriage of one carton (the current concession) and one opened packet (maximum 25 sticks) without the requirement for duty collection.
-
The adoption of the same concession regime for crewmembers as for passengers, but with a general concession amount of A$450. This would replace the current regime of concessions for crew which includes access to standard passenger concessions once per year, an allowance for alcohol and tobacco every 10 days and the waiver of duty and tax liability under $50 on any other occasion of entry.
Australian minister for justice and Customs Chris Ellison said: ?Given that the duty free concessions of family members can be pooled, these proposed changes will provide significant benefits to Australian families returning from overseas trips.?
Minister for small business and tourism Joe Hockey added: ?This is good news for all international travellers, whether they are Australians returning home from overseas, or visitors to Australia, and will provide a timely boost to the tourism sector. The proposed changes are also excellent news for the Australian duty-free industry and Australian airports. After a difficult two years, when traveller numbers have declined owing to the threat of terrorism and the SARS virus, these changes should contribute to the revitalisation of these industries.?
Australia's leading airport operator The Nuance Group welcomed the news. Director of business development and corporate relations Asia/Pacific Christian Strang said: ?The Nuance Group is pleased with the proposals which come after detailed consultation with the duty-free industry. We have worked closely with all our airport partners to ensure that a positive outcome is reached. We have been meticulous and patient in leading the industry cooperation with government. The announcement is very welcome at this time and we encourage the state governments to ratify the proposal in time for the Rugby World Cup. This is a good day for tourism shopping in Australia, for our staff, our partners at the airports and our suppliers. Most importantly Australian travellers and international visitors will benefit.?
Legislation concerning the amount of goods that can be brought into Australia has barely changed since 1987. In 1994 the liquor allowance was increased from 1l to 1.125l, and it was agreed that tax and duty payments of less than A$50 would be waived. The new proposals, if ratified, will take effect through amendments to by-laws under the Customs Tariff Act 1995.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
FacebookRelated Stories
Articles bearing the symbol 
require subscription.