{"id":"C2004A00857","name":"Import Processing Charges Act 2001","slug":"import-processing-charges-act-2001","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"90 of 2001","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":24962,"registerId":"commonwealth-C2004A00857-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"#### 1 Short title\n\n  This Act may be cited as the Import Processing Charges Act 2001.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n  (1) Section 1 and this section commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.\n  (2) The remaining sections commence on the day fixed by Proclamation under subsection 2(3) of the Customs Legislation Amendment and Repeal (International Trade Modernisation) Act 2001.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n  (1) In this Act:\n\n> Customs Act means the Customs Act 1901.\n\n> import processing charge means any of the following:\n\n    (c) import declaration processing charge;\n    (f) warehouse declaration processing charge.\n\n> prescribed means prescribed by the regulations.\n\n  (2) Expressions used in this Act have the same meanings as in the Customs Act.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Act does not extend to Norfolk Island","content":"#### 3A Act does not extend to Norfolk Island\n\n  This Act does not extend to Norfolk Island.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Imposition of import processing charges","content":"#### 4 Imposition of import processing charges\n\n  (3) Import declaration processing charge payable as set out in section 71B of the Customs Act is imposed.\n  (6) Warehouse declaration processing charge payable as set out in section 71DI of the Customs Act is imposed.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amounts of import processing charges","content":"#### 5 Amounts of import processing charges\n\n  Import declaration processing charge\n  (1) The amount of an import declaration processing charge is:\n    (a) for an electronic import declaration in respect of goods:\n    (i) if the value of the goods is at least $10,000—$152.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $228.00) as is prescribed; or\n    (ii) otherwise—$50.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $75.00) as is prescribed; or\n    (b) for a documentary import declaration in respect of goods:\n    (i) if the value of the goods is at least $10,000—$192.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $288.00) as is prescribed; or\n    (ii) otherwise—$90.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $135.00) as is prescribed.\n  Warehouse declaration processing charge\n  (2) The amount of a warehouse declaration processing charge is:\n    (a) for an electronic warehouse declaration in respect of goods:\n    (i) if the value of the goods is at least $10,000—$152.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $228.00) as is prescribed; or\n    (ii) otherwise—$50.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $75.00) as is prescribed; or\n    (b) for a documentary warehouse declaration in respect of goods:\n    (i) if the value of the goods is at least $10,000—$192.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $288.00) as is prescribed; or\n    (ii) otherwise—$90.00 or such other amount (not exceeding $135.00) as is prescribed.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 6 Regulations\n\n  The Governor‑General may make regulations for the purposes of section 5.","sortOrder":6}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act narrowly establishes and quantifies processing charges for import and warehouse declarations as defined by the Customs Act and excludes Norfolk Island (ss 3, 3A, 4–5). It does not expand the types of activities subject to charges beyond those declarations, though it allows the executive to vary fee amounts within statutory caps by regulation (s 6)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to the Customs Act for defined terms and collection mechanics (s 3; s 4 references ss 71B and 71DI of the Customs Act).","Multiple fee categories and thresholds (import vs warehouse; electronic vs documentary; >= $10,000 vs < $10,000) creating a small matrix of rates (s 5).","Regulatory discretion to set alternative amounts within statutory caps, which requires monitoring of delegated instruments (s 5; s 6).","Commencement linkage to another Act's proclamation date introduces timing dependence (s 2).","Geographic exclusion of Norfolk Island limits application in a specific jurisdiction (s 3A).","Fixed caps and prescribed variability mean compliance burden is predictable but administratively adjustable by regulation (s 5; s 6)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act imposes processing charges on import and warehouse declarations and sets fee levels that differ for electronic versus documentary lodgements and for consignments above or below a $10,000 value threshold. It also lets regulations vary those amounts within specified caps.\n\nImporters and their agents pay the charges (ss 4–5). The Act uses Customs Act definitions, excludes Norfolk Island, and gives the executive power to adjust fees within limits (ss 3, 3A, 5–6), creating an administrative lever and an incentive to use electronic filings."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The definition of 'import processing charge' in section 3(1) lists only paragraphs (c) and (f), with no paragraphs (a), (b), (d), or (e) present. This strongly suggests the original Act imposed a broader range of charges (likely covering additional declaration types such as self-assessed clearances or other customs entry categories) that were subsequently repealed, narrowing the Act's scope to just import declaration processing charges and warehouse declaration processing charges."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to the Customs Act 1901 for definitions and operative provisions (sections 71B and 71DI), requiring readers to consult another Act for full context","Tiered fee structure with multiple variables (declaration type, submission method, and goods value threshold) creates a small matrix of outcomes","Delegated legislative power allows fees to be varied by regulation up to statutory caps, meaning the actual current fee may differ from the base amounts listed","Staggered commencement provisions (some sections starting on Royal Assent, others by separate Proclamation) add minor technical complexity","Definition of 'import processing charge' in section 3 appears to use paragraph letters (c) and (f) suggesting earlier versions contained more charge types, which may cause confusion"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act sets the processing fees importers must pay when lodging import or warehouse declarations in Australia. It applies to businesses and individuals bringing goods in, with lower fees for electronic lodgement and higher fees for paper forms, and different amounts depending on whether goods are under or over $10,000. Fees can be raised by regulation up to statutory caps, the Act excludes Norfolk Island, and operates alongside the Customs Act 1901."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: imposing and setting amounts for import processing charges. It has not expanded beyond this narrow fiscal function."},"complexity_factors":["Very short statute (6 sections, approximately 1 page)","Only 3 defined terms in the interpretation section","Simple conditional structure: two types of charges × two lodgement methods × two value thresholds","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing—only refers to the Customs Act 1901 for procedural details","Regulation-making power is straightforward and limited to setting fee amounts within prescribed caps"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates fees for importing goods into Australia. If you bring goods into the country, you must pay a processing charge when you lodge an import declaration (telling Customs what you're bringing in) or a warehouse declaration (storing goods in a customs warehouse before they're cleared).\n\n**Who pays:** Anyone importing goods into Australia.\n\n**How much:** The fee depends on:\n- **How you lodge your declaration:** Electronic (online) is cheaper than paper (documentary).\n- **Value of the goods:** Higher fees for goods worth $10,000 or more; lower fees for cheaper goods.\n\n**Current fees (as set in the Act):**\n- Electronic declaration, goods under $10,000: **$50**\n- Electronic declaration, goods $10,000+: **$152**\n- Paper declaration, goods under $10,000: **$90**\n- Paper declaration, goods $10,000+: **$192**\n\nThe regulations can adjust these amounts within set caps (for example, the $50 electronic fee for cheaper goods can be raised up to $75).\n\n**Why it matters:** This law ensures the government can recover costs for processing import paperwork. It also encourages electronic lodgement by making it cheaper than paper-based processes."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/import-processing-charges-act-2001","history":"/api/acts/import-processing-charges-act-2001/history","analysis":"/api/acts/import-processing-charges-act-2001/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/import-processing-charges-act-2001/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/import-processing-charges-act-2001/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/import-processing-charges-act-2001/documents"}}