The Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal (“AAT”) handed down an important decision yesterday which opens the way for importers of certain bed linen to claim up to $70 million in customs duty refunds.

The case, General...

On 28 October 2009 the Australian competition authority (the ACCC)announced that it had commenced action against Thai Airways International in the Federal Court alleging that it had also engaged in price fixing overseas which...

Although it has been the subject of some media coverage, we are pleased to provide the following reminder as to the commencement of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement ("AANZFTA") on 1 January 2010.

The AANZFTA...

According to a media release of 25 October 2009 from the Australian Trade Minister, it has been agreed that the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will come into force on 1 January 2010 following discussion between...

We have previously reported on the Australian Productivity Commission's review of Australia's Anti-Dumping and Counterveiling systems.

On 10 September 2009, the Productivity Commission issue its draft Inquiry Report...

Tariff Proposals - Taxation without legislation

Readers would be aware of the long-standing methods adopted by successive Australian Federal Governments to effect changes to rates of excise and customs duties before implementing...

By notice in The Australian newspaper today (14 August 2009), Australian Customs has announced the initiation of an investigation of alleged dumping of Silicone Emulsion Concrete Admixtures exported from the US.

The TC for the...

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service ("Customs") has recently issued two new rulings whose impact is considered below.

Customs compliance monitoring program

The 2008/2009 Federal Budget contained reference to...

On 5 August 2009, the Australian High Court (our highest Court) issued its judgment on liability under sections 10 and 11 of the Damage by Aircraft Act 1999 (C'th) ("Act"). 

Nature of liability

Subsection 10(1) of the...

Our post of 17 June 2009 drew attention to the issue of Australian Customs' Notice No. 2009/25 ("ACN") by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service ("Customs") and the impending close attention by Customs to the use of...

As many would be aware, the Australian Productivity Commission ("Productivity Commission") has been undertaking a review of "parallel import" protection afforded to Australian authors and publishers.  The current provisions...

A report in "The Age" newspaper today refers to the results of a 3 year investigation by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) which has uncovered "serious weaknesses" in the security of ports and airports.

The ACC's "Crime in...

By notice in a national newspaper today (24 June 2009) Australian Customs has announced that it has initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping and subsidisation of certain aluminium extrusions exported to Australia from...

The recent release of Australian Customs Notice No. 2009/25 ("ACN") by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service ("Customs") is a clear warning to those in industry who use the Enhanced Project By-Law Scheme ("EPBS")...

Those in the industry are used to dealing with the traditional regulators such as the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (as it is now known), AQIS and the Office of Transport Security.

At the same time, industry...

The earlier post on this Blog entitled "Australia is Reviewing GST Provisions Relating to Supplies of Financial Services" (26 May 2009) is a timely reference to the Discussion Paper issued by the Australian Treasury Department as...