Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) A barrister, solicitor or other person appearing before the Committee has the same protection and immunity as a barrister has in appearing for a party in proceedings in the High Court.
(2) A witness summoned to attend or appearing before the Committee has the same protection as a witness in proceedings in the High Court.
Act No. 6 of 1901 as amended
This compilation was
prepared on 8 March 2012
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 1
of 2012
Volume 2 includes: Table of Contents
Sections 183UA - 269SL
The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments
that have been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that
are set out in the Notes section
Contents
Division 1--Powers of Officers 1
183UA.. Definitions .......................................................................................... 1
183UB.. Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected ...................... 7
183UC.. CEO may give directions concerning the exercise of powers under this Division 7
183UD.. Judges who may issue seizure warrants for goods in transit ............... 8
Subdivision B--General regulatory powers 8
184A..... Power to board a ship ......................................................................... 8
184B..... Power to chase foreign ships for boarding ........................................ 13
184C..... Power to chase Australian ships for boarding ................................... 15
184D..... Identifying an aircraft and requesting it to land for boarding ............. 15
185........ Power to board and search etc. ships and aircraft .............................. 17
185A..... Boarding of certain ships on the high seas ........................................ 26
185AA.. Searches of people on certain ships or aircraft .................................. 29
185AAA Retention of relevant items taken possession of under paragraph 185(2)(cb) or subsection 185AA(3C) 32
185AB.. Returning persons to ships ................................................................ 34
185B..... Moving or destroying hazardous ships etc. ....................................... 34
186........ General powers of examination of goods subject to Customs control 36
186A..... Power to make copies of, and take extracts from, documents in certain circumstances 37
186B..... Compensation for damage caused by copying .................................. 38
187........ Power to board and search ................................................................ 38
188........ Boarding ........................................................................................... 39
189........ Searching .......................................................................................... 39
189A..... Officers may carry arms in certain circumstances ............................. 39
190........ Securing goods ................................................................................. 41
191........ Seals etc. not to be broken ................................................................. 41
192........ Seals etc. on ship or aircraft in port bound to another port within Commonwealth 42
193........ Officers may enter and remain upon coasts etc. ................................ 42
194........ Ships on service may be moored in any place ................................... 43
195........ Power to question passengers etc. ..................................................... 44
195A..... Power to question persons found in restricted areas ......................... 45
196C..... Power to question persons claiming packages .................................. 45
197........ Power to stop conveyances about to leave a Customs place .............. 46
Subdivision C--Search warrants in respect of things believed to be evidential material 47
198........ When search warrants can be issued ................................................. 47
199........ The things that are authorised by a search warrant ............................ 49
200........ Use of equipment to examine or process things ................................ 50
201........ Use of electronic equipment on or in premises .................................. 51
201A..... Person with knowledge of a computer or a computer system to assist access etc. 53
201B..... Accessing data held on other premises--notification to occupier of that premises 54
202........ Compensation for damage to equipment or data ................................ 55
202A..... Copies of seized things to be provided .............................................. 55
Subdivision D--Seizure of goods believed to be forfeited goods 56
203........ When seizure warrants for forfeited goods can be issued ................. 56
203A..... The things that are authorised by seizure warrants for forfeited goods 58
203B..... Seizure without warrant of special forfeited goods, or of evidential material relating to special forfeited goods, at a Customs place ................................................................................... 60
203C..... Seizure without warrant of narcotic goods or of evidential material relating to narcotic goods at other places 62
203CA.. Seizure without warrant of certain goods on ship or aircraft in the Protected Zone 63
203CB... Seizure without warrant of certain other goods in the Protected Zone 64
203D..... How an authorised person is to exercise certain powers ................... 65
Subdivision DA--Seizure of certain goods in transit 66
203DA.. When seizure warrants for goods in transit can be issued ................. 66
203DB.. The things that are authorised by seizure warrants for goods in transit 67
Subdivision E--Provisions applicable both to search and seizure warrants 68
203E...... Conduct of ordinary searches and frisk searches .............................. 68
203F...... Announcement before entry .............................................................. 68
203G..... Details of warrant to be given to occupier ......................................... 69
203H..... Occupier entitled to be present during search or seizure .................... 69
203HA.. Requirement to provide name or address etc. .................................... 70
203J...... Availability of assistance and use of force in executing a warrant ..... 71
203K..... Specific powers available to executing officers ................................. 71
203L...... Use of animals in executing a warrant ............................................... 72
203M.... Warrants by telephone or other electronic means .............................. 72
203N..... Receipts for things seized under warrant ........................................... 74
203P...... Offence for making false statements in warrants ............................... 74
203Q..... Offences relating to telephone warrants ............................................ 74
Subdivision F--Dealing with things seized as evidential material 75
203R..... Retention of things seized as evidential material ................................ 75
203S...... Magistrate may permit a thing seized as evidential material to be retained 76
Subdivision G--Dealing with goods seized as forfeited goods 77
203SA... Subdivision does not apply to seized transit goods ........................... 77
203T...... Seizure of protected objects ............................................................... 77
204........ Seized goods to be secured ............................................................... 78
205........ Requirement to serve seizure notices ................................................. 78
205A..... Matters to be dealt with in seizure notices ......................................... 79
205B..... Claim for return of goods seized ....................................................... 80
205C..... Treatment of goods seized if no claim for return is made .................. 81
205D..... Treatment of goods seized if a claim for return is made .................... 81
205E...... Magistrate may permit goods seized to be retained ........................... 84
205F...... Right of compensation in certain circumstances for goods disposed of or destroyed 85
205G..... Effect of forfeiture ............................................................................. 85
206........ Immediate disposal of certain goods ................................................. 86
207........ Immediate disposal of narcotic goods ............................................... 88
208........ Release of goods on security ............................................................. 89
208C..... Service by post .................................................................................. 90
208D..... Disposal of forfeited goods ............................................................... 90
208DA.. Disposal of narcotic-related goods other than narcotic goods ........... 90
208E...... Sales subject to conditions ................................................................ 92
209........ Power to impound certain forfeited goods and release them on payment of duty and penalty 92
209A..... Destruction or concealment of evidential material or forfeited goods 94
Subdivision GA--Dealing with goods in transit seized under a section 203DA warrant 95
209B..... Subdivision applies to seized transit goods ....................................... 95
209C..... Seized goods to be secured ............................................................... 95
209D..... Requirement to serve seizure notices ................................................. 95
209E...... Matters to be dealt with in seizure notices ......................................... 96
209F...... Application for return of seized goods .............................................. 96
209G..... Status of goods seized if no application for return is made ............... 96
209H..... Right of compensation for certain goods disposed of or destroyed ... 97
209I....... Effect of forfeiture ............................................................................. 97
209J...... Immediate disposal of unsafe goods ................................................. 98
209K..... Disposal of forfeited goods ............................................................... 99
209L...... Service by post .................................................................................. 99
Subdivision GB--Surrender of prescribed prohibited imports 99
209M.... Application of Subdivision ............................................................... 99
209N..... Surrender of goods ......................................................................... 100
209P...... Effect of surrender .......................................................................... 100
209Q..... Right of compensation in certain circumstances for goods disposed of or destroyed 100
209R..... Disposal of surrendered goods ....................................................... 101
Subdivision GC--Post-importation permission 101
209S...... Definitions ...................................................................................... 101
209T...... Application of Subdivision ............................................................. 102
209U..... Power to detain goods ..................................................................... 102
209V..... Detained goods to be secured .......................................................... 103
209W.... Requirement to serve detention notice ............................................. 103
209X..... Matters to be dealt with in detention notices .................................... 103
209Y..... Effect of detaining goods ................................................................ 105
209Z...... Evidence not provided or permission not granted or given ............. 105
209ZA... Evidence provided and permission granted or given ....................... 106
209ZB... Service by post ................................................................................ 107
209ZC... Liability for detention of goods ....................................................... 107
Subdivision H--Arrest and related matters 107
210........ Power of arrest without warrant ...................................................... 107
210A..... Use of force in making arrest .......................................................... 109
210B..... Person to be informed of grounds of arrest ..................................... 109
211........ Power to conduct a frisk search of an arrested person .................... 110
211A..... Power to conduct an ordinary search of an arrested person ............ 110
212........ How arrested person to be dealt with .............................................. 110
213........ Requirement to provide name etc. ................................................... 110
Subdivision HA--Information about people working in restricted areas or issued with security identification cards 111
213A..... Providing Customs with information about people working in restricted areas 111
213B..... Providing Customs with information about people issued with security identification cards 113
Subdivision J--General powers to monitor and audit 114
214AA.. Occupier of premises ...................................................................... 114
214AB.. What are monitoring powers ? ......................................................... 114
214AC.. Monitoring officers ......................................................................... 116
214ACA Monitoring officer to notify occupier of premises of the occupier's rights and obligations 117
214AD.. Notice of proposal to exercise monitoring powers .......................... 117
214AE... Exercise of monitoring powers with consent .................................. 118
214AF... Exercise of monitoring powers under a warrant .............................. 119
214AG.. Warrants may be granted by telephone or other electronic means ... 120
214AH.. Monitoring officer may ask questions ............................................. 121
214AI.... Monitoring officer may ask for assistance ...................................... 121
214AJ... Compensation for damage to electronic equipment ......................... 122
214B..... Powers of officers for purposes of Customs Tariff (Anti-Dumping) Act 1975 123
Subdivision JA--Powers to monitor and audit--Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement 125
214BAA Simplified outline .......................................................................... 125
214BAB Definitions ...................................................................................... 125
214BAC AUSFTA verification powers ......................................................... 126
214BAD Appointment of verification officers .............................................. 127
214BAE Verification officers may enter premises and exercise AUSFTA verification powers with consent 128
214BAF US customs officials may accompany verification officers ............. 130
214BAG Availability of assistance in exercising AUSFTA verification powers 130
214BAH Verification officer may ask questions .......................................... 131
214BAI. Verification officer may ask for assistance ...................................... 131
214BAJ. Verification officer may disclose information to US ....................... 131
214BAK Operation of electronic equipment at premises ................................ 131
214BAL Compensation for damage to electronic equipment ......................... 131
Subdivision K--Miscellaneous 132
214BA.. Nature of functions of magistrate under sections 203S and 205E ... 132
215........ Collector may impound documents ................................................. 133
217........ Translations of foreign invoices ...................................................... 133
218........ Customs samples ............................................................................ 133
218A..... Disposal of certain abandoned goods .............................................. 134
219........ General power of Collector ............................................................. 134
Division 1B--Detention and search of suspects 135
Subdivision A--Detention and frisk search of suspects 135
219L...... Detention for frisk search ................................................................ 135
219M.... Frisk search ..................................................................................... 136
219N..... Power to require the production of things ....................................... 137
219P...... Persons to whom section 219R applies ........................................... 137
Subdivision B--Detention and external search of suspects 137
219Q..... Detention for external search ........................................................... 137
219R..... External search ................................................................................ 138
219RAA Videotape record may be made of external search ......................... 141
Subdivision C--Detention and internal search of persons suspected of internally concealing substances etc. 142
219RA.. Certain Judges and Magistrates eligible to give orders under this Subdivision 142
219S...... Initial detention ................................................................................ 142
219SA... Internal non-medical scan using prescribed equipment ................... 143
219SB... Seeking detention order following invitation to consent to internal non-medical scan 144
219T...... Initial order for detention ................................................................. 144
219U..... Renewal of order for detention ........................................................ 145
219V..... Arrangement for internal medical search ......................................... 146
219W.... Detention under this Subdivision .................................................... 149
219X..... Detainee becoming in need of protection ......................................... 150
219Y..... Applications for orders under this Subdivision ............................... 151
219Z...... Internal medical search by medical practitioner ............................... 152
Subdivision CA--Prescribed equipment for external searches and internal non-medical scans 153
219ZAA Use of prescribed equipment for external search or internal non-medical scan 153
219ZAB Prescribing equipment for use in external searches and internal non-medical scans 154
219ZAC Authorising officers to use prescribed equipment for external search or internal non-medical scan 155
219ZAD Giving a record of invitation and consent, or a copy of order ......... 155
219ZAE Records of results of external search or internal non-medical scan . 156
Subdivision D--Detention generally 157
219ZA... Detention officers ............................................................................ 157
219ZB... Detention places .............................................................................. 158
219ZC... Detention under this Division ......................................................... 158
219ZD... Detainees not fluent in English ........................................................ 159
219ZE... Release from, or cessation of, detention .......................................... 159
Subdivision E--Medical practitioners 160
219ZF... Conduct of internal medical search .................................................. 160
219ZG... Medical practitioner may take action to preserve detainee's
life
...................................................................................................
161
219ZH... Medical practitioner to answer questions and prepare report ........... 161
219ZJ.... Proceedings against medical practitioners ....................................... 162
Division 1BA--Detention and search of persons for purposes of law enforcement co-operation 163
Subdivision A--Preliminary 163
219ZJA. Definitions ...................................................................................... 163
219ZJAA Prescribed State or Territory offences .......................................... 163
Subdivision B--Powers to detain 164
219ZJB. Detention of person suspected of committing serious Commonwealth offence or prescribed State or Territory offence ........................................................................................................ 164
219ZJC. Detention of person subject to warrant or bail condition ................. 165
Subdivision C--Matters affecting detention generally 166
219ZJD. Search of person detained under this Division ................................ 166
219ZJE.. CEO must give directions about detaining persons under this Division 167
219ZJF.. Detainees to be given reasons for detention and shown identification on request 167
219ZJG. Use of force in relation to detention ................................................ 167
219ZJH. Moving detained persons ................................................................ 168
219ZJI... Detainees not fluent in English ........................................................ 168
219ZJJ.. Detention of minors ........................................................................ 168
Division 1C--Judges and Magistrates 170
219ZK... Nature of functions of Judge or Magistrate ..................................... 170
219ZL... Protection of Judge or Magistrate ................................................... 170
Division 2--Protection to officers 171
220........ Reasonable cause for seizure a bar to action .................................... 171
221........ Notice of action to be given ............................................................. 171
222........ Defect in notice not to invalidate ..................................................... 171
223........ No evidence to be produced but that contained in notice ................. 172
224........ Officer may tender amends ............................................................. 172
225........ Commencement of proceedings against officers ............................. 172
226........ Time for commencing action ........................................................... 172
227........ Security may be required ................................................................. 173
227AA.. Evidence may be used in prosecutions etc. ...................................... 174
Part XIIA--Special provisions relating to prohibited items 175
227A..... Overview of Part ............................................................................. 175
227B..... Definitions ...................................................................................... 175
227C..... Ships and aircraft to which this Part applies .................................... 175
227D..... Items to which this Part applies ....................................................... 176
227E...... Approved storage for prohibited items ............................................ 177
227F...... Officer may take custody of items ................................................... 178
227G..... Compensation for damage etc. to items ........................................... 179
Part XIII--Penal Provisions 180
228........ Forfeited ships and aircraft .............................................................. 180
228A..... Forfeited resources installations ...................................................... 180
228B..... Forfeited sea installations ................................................................ 180
229........ Forfeited goods ............................................................................... 181
229A..... Proceeds of drug trafficking liable to forfeiture ............................... 182
230........ Forfeited packages and goods ......................................................... 185
231........ Assembly for unlawful purposes .................................................... 186
232A..... Rescuing goods and assaulting officers .......................................... 186
233........ Smuggling and unlawful importation and exportation ..................... 187
233A..... Master not to use or allow use of ship for smuggling etc. ............... 188
233AB.. Penalties for offences against sections 233 and 233A ..................... 188
233BAA Special offence relating to tier 1 goods .......................................... 189
233BAB Special offence relating to tier 2 goods ............................................ 191
233BABAA UN-sanctioned goods .............................................................. 194
233BABAB Special offences for importation of UN-sanctioned goods ....... 195
233BABAC Special offences for exportation of UN-sanctioned goods ....... 197
233BABA Protection from criminal responsibility ....................................... 199
233BAC Evidence relating to approval for import or export .......................... 200
233BA.. Evidence of Analyst ........................................................................ 200
233C..... Offence for giving false or misleading information in relation to UN-sanctioned goods 202
234........ Customs offences ............................................................................ 203
234AA.. Places set aside for purposes of Act ................................................ 206
234A..... Unauthorised entry to places and on ships, aircraft or
wharves
...........................................................................................
207
234AB.. Unauthorised use of cameras and sound recorders ......................... 208
234ABA Officers may direct unauthorised persons to leave restricted areas 209
236........ Aiders and abettors ......................................................................... 210
237........ Attempts .......................................................................................... 210
239........ Penalties in addition to forfeitures ................................................... 210
240........ Commercial documents to be kept ................................................... 210
240AA.. Authorised officer may require person to produce commercial documents 214
240AB.. Verifying communications to Customs ........................................... 214
240AC.. Authorised officer may require person to produce record ............... 216
Division 3--Recovery of pecuniary penalties for dealings in narcotic goods 217
243A..... Interpretation ................................................................................... 217
243AB.. Effective control of property ........................................................... 220
243B..... Pecuniary penalties .......................................................................... 220
243C..... Assessment of pecuniary penalty .................................................... 222
243CA.. Court may lift corporate veil etc. ..................................................... 224
243D..... Presumption of illegality of importation .......................................... 225
243E...... Court may make restraining order against property ......................... 226
243F...... Court may make further orders ....................................................... 229
243G..... Official Trustee to discharge pecuniary penalty ............................... 232
243H..... Revocation of order under section 243E ......................................... 236
243J...... Pecuniary penalty a charge on property ........................................... 237
243K..... Contravention of restraining orders ................................................. 238
243L...... Sale of property before bankruptcy ................................................. 239
243M.... Duties of the Official Trustee after receiving notice of presentation of creditor's petition etc. 239
243N..... Protection of Official Trustee from personal liability in certain cases 240
243NA.. Indemnification of Official Trustee ................................................. 241
243NB.. Indemnification of Official Receivers etc. ....................................... 242
243P...... Costs etc. payable to Official Trustee .............................................. 242
243Q..... Notices ............................................................................................ 243
243R..... Reduction of pecuniary penalty ....................................................... 243
243S...... Jurisdiction of the Court .................................................................. 244
Division 4--Provisions relating to certain strict liability offences 245
243SA... Failure to answer questions ............................................................. 245
243SB... Failure to produce documents or records ........................................ 245
243SC... Preservation of the privilege against self-incrimination ................... 246
243T...... False or misleading statements resulting in loss of duty .................. 246
243U..... False or misleading statements not resulting in loss of duty ............ 249
243V..... False or misleading statements in cargo reports or outturn reports .. 251
243W.... Electronic communications to Customs to be treated as statements to CEO 252
Division 5--Penalties in lieu of prosecution for certain offences 253
Subdivision A--Penalties in lieu of prosecution for offences relating to false statements, cargo reporting, movement of goods etc. 253
243X..... Application of Subdivision ............................................................. 253
243XA.. Guidelines for serving infringement notices .................................... 253
243Y..... When an infringement notice can be served .................................... 254
243Z...... Matters to be included in an infringement notice ............................. 254
243ZA... Withdrawal of infringement notice .................................................. 256
243ZB... What happens if unpaid duty or unrepaid refund or drawback and penalty are paid 257
243ZC... More than one infringement notice may not be served for the same offence 257
243ZD... Infringement notice not required to be served ................................. 257
243ZE... CEO may extend period for payment of penalty ............................. 258
Subdivision B--Penalties in lieu of prosecution for offences relating to prohibited imports, restricted areas etc. 258
243ZF... Application of Subdivision ............................................................. 258
243ZG... Guidelines for serving infringement notices .................................... 258
243ZH... When an infringement notice can be served .................................... 258
243ZI.... Matters to be included in an infringement notice ............................. 259
243ZJ.... Withdrawal of infringement notice .................................................. 260
243ZK... What happens if the infringement notice penalty is paid .................. 261
243ZL... More than one infringement notice may not be served for the same offence 262
243ZM.. Infringement notice not required to be served ................................. 262
243ZN... Right of compensation in certain circumstances for goods disposed of or destroyed 262
243ZO... Disposal of forfeited goods ............................................................. 263
Part XIV--Customs prosecutions 264
244........ Meaning of Customs prosecution ................................................... 264
245........ Institution of prosecutions ............................................................... 264
247........ Prosecutions in accordance with practice rules ................................ 264
248........ State Court practice ......................................................................... 265
249........ Commencement of prosecutions ..................................................... 265
250........ Information to be valid if in words of Act ....................................... 265
250A..... Property in goods subject to control of Customs ............................ 265
251........ No objection for informality ............................................................ 266
252........ Conviction not to be quashed .......................................................... 266
253........ Protection to witnesses .................................................................... 266
254........ Defendant competent witness .......................................................... 266
255........ Averment of prosecutor sufficient ................................................... 267
256........ Proof of proclamation etc. ............................................................... 267
257........ Conduct by directors, servants or agents ......................................... 267
259........ Collector may levy on goods in his or her possession .................... 269
261........ Imprisonment not to release penalty ................................................ 269
263........ Parties may recover costs ................................................................ 269
264........ Application of penalties ................................................................... 269
Part XV--Tenders for rights to enter goods for home consumption at concessional rates 270
265........ Interpretation ................................................................................... 270
266........ Tender schemes ............................................................................... 270
267........ Undertakings relating to tenders ...................................................... 271
268........ Transfers of rights to enter goods for home consumption at concessional rates of duty 272
269........ Revocation or variation of undertaking ........................................... 274
269A..... Recovery of penalties ...................................................................... 274
Part XVA--Tariff concession orders 275
269B..... Interpretation ................................................................................... 275
269C..... Interpretation--core criteria ............................................................. 277
269D..... Interpretation--goods produced in Australia .................................. 277
269E...... Interpretation--the ordinary course of business .............................. 278
Division 2--Making and processing TCO applications 280
269F...... Making a TCO application .............................................................. 280
269FA... The applicant's obligation ............................................................... 281
269G..... Withdrawing a TCO application ...................................................... 281
269H..... Screening the application ................................................................. 282
269HA.. CEO may reject a TCO application in relation to goods referred to in section 269SJ 282
269J...... Applications taken to be lodged in certain circumstances ................ 283
269K..... Processing a valid application ......................................................... 283
269L...... Amendment of TCO applications .................................................... 284
269M.... Customs may invite submissions or seek other information, documents or material 286
269N..... Reprocessing of TCO applications .................................................. 287
Division 3--Making and operation of TCOs 289
269P...... The making of a standard TCO ....................................................... 289
269Q..... The making of a TCO for goods requiring repair ............................ 290
269R..... Notification of TCO decisions ........................................................ 291
269S...... Operation of TCOs ......................................................................... 291
269SA... Consequence of commencement or cessation of production before TCO decision 291
Division 4--Revocation of TCOs 293
269SB... Request for revocation of TCOs ..................................................... 293
269SC... Processing requests for revocation of TCOs ................................... 293
269SD... Revocation at the initiative of Customs ........................................... 295
269SE... Notification of revocation decisions ................................................ 297
269SF... Customs may seek information, documents or material relating to revocation 297
269SG... Effect of revocation on goods in transit and capital equipment on order .. 298
269SH... Internal review ................................................................................ 300
269SHA Administrative Appeals Tribunal Review of reconsideration decisions 302
269SJ.... TCOs not to apply to goods described by reference to their end use or certain goods 304
269SK... TCOs not to contravene international agreements ........................... 304
269SL... TCOs not to be statutory rules ........................................................ 305