If there is one department that causes industry so much frustration, pain and unpredictability – the gold trophy has to go to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
DAFF have enjoyed at two increases in 2023, 1) on 16 January 2023 and 2) a further increase on 01 July 2023.
Operating a corporate customs brokerage and a freight forwarding business continues to be a challenging operation.
If a business imports fake or counterfeit trademarked goods and if the goods enter the country via air express carriers, general air cargo or sea freight – whether or not the goods are under or over $1000 AUD, a declaration (a communicated statement) is required to be made to the ABF). As the trademark owner has 1) a registered trademark with IP Australia and 2) a Notice of Objection (NoO) filed with the ABF, the ABF should be seizing the goods at the air express carriers depot, the air cargo terminal or at the sea freight depot.
As my fellow customs brokers would know, since 01 April 2016 we have been required to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. The reporting year commences on 01 April and runs through to 31 March. The Australian Border Force (ABF) requires all customs brokers to possess a minimum of 30 points. If I am honest, the most painful and tedious part of maintaining CPD is the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) content.
When an individual purchases fake or counterfeit Australian trademarked goods from overseas. All of the ‘ingredients’ are present to make the process simple, easy and repeatable.
The item is purchased (the products can be found easy enough on social media).
The ABF never consults with customs brokers directly, it is an archaic process of headmaster and student relationship. If customs brokers do not do as we advise, ‘compliance action may be undertaken’.