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| Tuesday, 16 June 2009 |
| Customs to Conduct Compliance Exercise on Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) |
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The Australian Customs and Border protection Service (Customs) have notified us that they will be commencing a Compliance exercise during June and July. The exercise will focus on communicators of Short Form Self Assessed Clearance declarations (SAC's). The target period could be extended depending on the outcomes of the exercise. They have provided the following background information and advice: As you are aware, the Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) declaration is made to Customs and Border Protection Service to clear goods imported by air or sea that have a Customs value at or below the Full Import Declaration threshold. The threshold is currently at AUD$1000. The Short Format SAC declaration is communicated to Customs by an importer or anyone acting on the importers behalf. The Short Form SAC declaration information includes:
Initial research and assessment indicates there is a risk posed by inaccurate Short Format SAC declarations. Typically, Short Form SAC declaration errors occur in goods description and/or value. In many cases, the necessary declaration correction precludes the Short Format SAC as a reporting option. The Compliance exercise will measure the risk posed to revenue and community protection through deliberate or un-informed Short Form SAC declaration errors. It will also raise the awareness of communicators to the importance of providing more accurate information to Customs. Towards the completion of this exercise Customs and Border Protection Service will be holding forums for industry members. Further information on these forums will be provided shortly. In the meantime please advise all persons involved in this activity within your business. Regards Brian Lovell |