Australian Border Force has released Australian Customs Notice (ACN) 2024/15 advising they will shortly contact Cheese and Curd Quota Scheme (the Scheme) holders to discuss quota allocations for 2024-2025.
The calculation of an importer's forthcoming allocation is based on the importer's usage of quota, as shown in the records of Import Declarations, which were entered for home consumption between 1 July 2022 and 31 May 2024.
By way of background, the Scheme was initially introduced in 1987 as a countervailing duty action and intended to be a temporary solution, however, as outlined in ACN 2024/15, it continues to be governed in its original format.
This lack of reform and advancement for nearly 40 years has generated an unintended consequence of providing an environment that potentially fosters anti-competitive behaviours.
In response, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has written to the Minister for Trade and Tourism advocating that the Scheme should either be repealed in its entirety (meaning that all importers pay import duties as applicable), or it be modernised to allow fair and reasonable access to all qualifying importers.
FTA ministerial correspondence available HERE (FTA/ APSA MEMBER LOGIN REQUIRED)
FTA article as published by DCN available HERE (FTA/ APSA MEMBER LOGIN REQUIRED)
We encourage members feedback to assist in progressing this reform.
Sal Milici - Licensed Customs Broker
General Manager Trade Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA
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