Cat and dog fur products
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/AUS/16
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 27/11/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
The importation of cat and dog fur and goods made from or using cat or dog fur is prohibited under provisions of the Customs Act 1901 (Customs Act) and the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (PI Regulations) unless the permission of the Minister for Home Affairs, or an authorised person, has been obtained.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
The goods covered by this control include raw, tanned or processed furs or pelts, and goods that may contain such fur, that are derived from the cat and dog species listed below. These species are more commonly referred to as domestic cat and dog breeds.
• cat fur - the pelt or hair of an animal of the species Felis catus;
• dog fur - the pelt or hair of an animal of the species Canis familiaris; and
• cat or dog fur product - a product or other thing that consists, wholly or partly, of cat or dog fur.
The relevant Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System tariff numbers include various lines, but are not limited to; 4103.90, 4301.80, 4301.90, 4302.19, 4302.20, 4302.30, 4303.10 and 4303.90.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system applies to importations from all countries.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
The PI Regulations are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The importation of cat and dog fur products is regulated in response to animal welfare concerns.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The control on the specified goods is a statutory requirement under Regulation 4W of the PI Regulations made under the Customs Act. The control cannot be abolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Application should be made in advance of arrival of the goods. Import permission can be considered for goods which have inadvertently arrived in Australia.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
No.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
No.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Permissions are granted by the Minister for Home Affairs or an authorised person. Importers may also need to approach the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) for permission to import cat or dog fur or products thereof.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Apart from statutory or ordinary requirements there are no other criteria. Reasons for refusal are given to applicants. Applicants refused permission to import may appeal on the merits of the decision to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Alternatively, an appeal may be made on the
decision-making process itself under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Applications must be made in writing to the Minister for Home Affairs or an authorised person. The application should include the following information: importer's name and address; and details of the goods to be imported.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
The original permission from the Minister for Home Affairs or authorised person is required to be produced upon importation.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
There is no licensing fee or administrative charge.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
The Minister for Home Affairs may specify a time period for the validity of the permission.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of a licence or a portion of a licence.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Permits/licences are not transferable between importers.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
Conditions may be imposed on the permit. Quantitative limits, where appropriate, are specified as conditions.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.