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This instrument is the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Regulations 2024.
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Commonwealth legislation
This law imposes export and import charges on a wide range of Australian primary products, affecting exporters (and in some cases animal owners) and largely taking effect from 1 July 2025. Charges fund industry bodies, marketing, research & development, biosecurity and residue surveys. Numerous exemptions and thresholds apply, and some charges are structured with multiple components or sliding scales. If you export or import primary products, it determines who pays and what levies fund.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Regulations 2024.
This instrument is the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Regulations 2024.
This instrument is made under the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 2024.
This instrument complements the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 2024 by imposing charges on the export or import of animal products, plant products, fungus products or algal products that are produce of a primary industry.
Each set of provisions imposing a charge also deals with:
(a) any exemptions from the charge; and
(b) the rate of the charge; and
(c) the person who is liable to pay the charge (the charge payer).
Some products have multiple charges.
In this instrument:
Act means the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 2024.
almond has the meaning given by clause 37‑1 of Schedule 2.
apple has the meaning given by clause 38‑1 of Schedule 2.
Australia:
(a) when used in a geographical sense in a provision of this instrument, does not include the external Territories, unless paragraph (b) applies; or
(b) when used in a geographical sense in a provision of this instrument that extends to an external Territory, includes that external Territory.
Note: Section 6 of the Act allows this instrument to extend any provisions of this instrument to an external Territory.
avocado has the meaning given by clause 39‑1 of Schedule 2.
bovine animal means an animal of the genus Bos.
buffalo has the meaning given by clause 8‑1 of Schedule 1.
cattle means bovine animals other than buffalo.
cherry has the meaning given by clause 41‑1 of Schedule 2.
chestnut has the meaning given by clause 42‑1 of Schedule 2.
citrus has the meaning given by clause 43‑1 of Schedule 2.
citrus box has the meaning given by clause 43‑3 of Schedule 2.
cotton plant has the meaning given by clause 25‑1 of Schedule 2.
custard apple has the meaning given by clause 44‑1 of Schedule 2.
custard apple box has the meaning given by clause 44‑3 of Schedule 2.
custard apple tray has the meaning given by clause 44‑3 of Schedule 2.
dairy cattle means cattle held for use for the production of milk, or for purposes incidental to the production of milk, and includes:
(a) dairy cows; and
(b) dairy heifers; and
(c) calves that are the progeny of dairy cows; and
(d) bulls used, or held for use, for the purpose of fertilising dairy cows or dairy heifers.
designated export period:
(a) for cattle—has the meaning given by clause 9‑5 of Schedule 1; and
(b) for goats—has the meaning given by clause 11‑5 of Schedule 1; and
(c) for sheep or lambs—has the meaning given by clause 14‑5 of Schedule 1.
export bobby calf has the meaning given by clause 9‑7 of Schedule 1.
farmed prawns has the meaning given by clause 20‑1 of Schedule 1.
fodder has the meaning given by clause 72‑1 of Schedule 2.
forest products has the meaning given by clause 34‑1 of Schedule 2.
goat means an animal of the genus Capra.
grape means a fruit of the genus Vitis.
lamb means an animal of the species Ovis aries that:
(a) is under 12 months of age; or
(b) does not have any permanent incisor teeth in wear.
lychee has the meaning given by clause 47‑1 of Schedule 2.
macadamia dried kernel has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
macadamia in shell has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
macadamia nut has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
mango has the meaning given by clause 49‑1 of Schedule 2.
melon has the meaning given by clause 50‑1 of Schedule 2.
nashi has the meaning given by clause 51‑1 of Schedule 2.
onion has the meaning given by clause 53‑1 of Schedule 2.
orange has the meaning given by clause 43‑3 of Schedule 2.
papaya has the meaning given by clause 54‑1 of Schedule 2.
passionfruit has the meaning given by clause 55‑1 of Schedule 2.
passionfruit carton has the meaning given by clause 55‑3 of Schedule 2.
pear has the meaning given by clause 38‑1 of Schedule 2.
persimmon has the meaning given by clause 56‑1 of Schedule 2.
pineapple has the meaning given by clause 57‑1 of Schedule 2.
potato has the meaning given by clause 58‑1 of Schedule 2.
quarter means a period of 3 months beginning on 1 July, 1 October, 1 January or 1 April.
queen bee has the meaning given by clause 2‑1 of Schedule 1.
representative sample, of macadamias in shell, has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
rubus has the meaning given by clause 60‑1 of Schedule 2.
seed cotton has the meaning given by clause 25‑1 of Schedule 2.
sheep means an animal of the species Ovis aries, but does not include lambs.
stone fruit has the meaning given by clause 61‑1 of Schedule 2.
sweet potato has the meaning given by clause 63‑1 of Schedule 2.
tea tree oil has the meaning given by clause 74‑1 of Schedule 2.
turf has the meaning given by clause 75‑1 of Schedule 2.
value, per head of sheep or lambs being exported, has the meaning given by clause 14‑7 of Schedule 1.
wine has the meaning given by clause 70‑1 of Schedule 2.
For the purposes of Parts 2, 4 and 5 of the Act, the Schedules have effect.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
This instrument is the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Regulations 2024.
This instrument is made under the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 2024.
This instrument complements the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 2024 by imposing charges on the export or import of animal products, plant products, fungus products or algal products that are produce of a primary industry.
Each set of provisions imposing a charge also deals with:
(a) any exemptions from the charge; and
(b) the rate of the charge; and
(c) the person who is liable to pay the charge (the charge payer).
Some products have multiple charges.
In this instrument:
Act means the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 2024.
almond has the meaning given by clause 37‑1 of Schedule 2.
apple has the meaning given by clause 38‑1 of Schedule 2.
Australia:
(a) when used in a geographical sense in a provision of this instrument, does not include the external Territories, unless paragraph (b) applies; or
(b) when used in a geographical sense in a provision of this instrument that extends to an external Territory, includes that external Territory.
Note: Section 6 of the Act allows this instrument to extend any provisions of this instrument to an external Territory.
avocado has the meaning given by clause 39‑1 of Schedule 2.
bovine animal means an animal of the genus Bos.
buffalo has the meaning given by clause 8‑1 of Schedule 1.
cattle means bovine animals other than buffalo.
cherry has the meaning given by clause 41‑1 of Schedule 2.
chestnut has the meaning given by clause 42‑1 of Schedule 2.
citrus has the meaning given by clause 43‑1 of Schedule 2.
citrus box has the meaning given by clause 43‑3 of Schedule 2.
cotton plant has the meaning given by clause 25‑1 of Schedule 2.
custard apple has the meaning given by clause 44‑1 of Schedule 2.
custard apple box has the meaning given by clause 44‑3 of Schedule 2.
custard apple tray has the meaning given by clause 44‑3 of Schedule 2.
dairy cattle means cattle held for use for the production of milk, or for purposes incidental to the production of milk, and includes:
(a) dairy cows; and
(b) dairy heifers; and
(c) calves that are the progeny of dairy cows; and
(d) bulls used, or held for use, for the purpose of fertilising dairy cows or dairy heifers.
designated export period:
(a) for cattle—has the meaning given by clause 9‑5 of Schedule 1; and
(b) for goats—has the meaning given by clause 11‑5 of Schedule 1; and
(c) for sheep or lambs—has the meaning given by clause 14‑5 of Schedule 1.
export bobby calf has the meaning given by clause 9‑7 of Schedule 1.
farmed prawns has the meaning given by clause 20‑1 of Schedule 1.
fodder has the meaning given by clause 72‑1 of Schedule 2.
forest products has the meaning given by clause 34‑1 of Schedule 2.
goat means an animal of the genus Capra.
grape means a fruit of the genus Vitis.
lamb means an animal of the species Ovis aries that:
(a) is under 12 months of age; or
(b) does not have any permanent incisor teeth in wear.
lychee has the meaning given by clause 47‑1 of Schedule 2.
macadamia dried kernel has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
macadamia in shell has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
macadamia nut has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
mango has the meaning given by clause 49‑1 of Schedule 2.
melon has the meaning given by clause 50‑1 of Schedule 2.
nashi has the meaning given by clause 51‑1 of Schedule 2.
onion has the meaning given by clause 53‑1 of Schedule 2.
orange has the meaning given by clause 43‑3 of Schedule 2.
papaya has the meaning given by clause 54‑1 of Schedule 2.
passionfruit has the meaning given by clause 55‑1 of Schedule 2.
passionfruit carton has the meaning given by clause 55‑3 of Schedule 2.
pear has the meaning given by clause 38‑1 of Schedule 2.
persimmon has the meaning given by clause 56‑1 of Schedule 2.
pineapple has the meaning given by clause 57‑1 of Schedule 2.
potato has the meaning given by clause 58‑1 of Schedule 2.
quarter means a period of 3 months beginning on 1 July, 1 October, 1 January or 1 April.
queen bee has the meaning given by clause 2‑1 of Schedule 1.
representative sample, of macadamias in shell, has the meaning given by clause 48‑1 of Schedule 2.
rubus has the meaning given by clause 60‑1 of Schedule 2.
seed cotton has the meaning given by clause 25‑1 of Schedule 2.
sheep means an animal of the species Ovis aries, but does not include lambs.
stone fruit has the meaning given by clause 61‑1 of Schedule 2.
sweet potato has the meaning given by clause 63‑1 of Schedule 2.
tea tree oil has the meaning given by clause 74‑1 of Schedule 2.
turf has the meaning given by clause 75‑1 of Schedule 2.
value, per head of sheep or lambs being exported, has the meaning given by clause 14‑7 of Schedule 1.
wine has the meaning given by clause 70‑1 of Schedule 2.
For the purposes of Parts 2, 4 and 5 of the Act, the Schedules have effect.
Schedule 1—Animals and animal products
Note: See section 6.
Queen bees
Queen bee export charge is imposed on queen bees that are bred in Australia and exported from Australia. However, the rate is nil so no charge is currently payable.
Honey
Honey export charge is imposed on honey that is produced in Australia and exported from Australia. There is no charge if levy has already been imposed on the honey under the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Regulations 2024. There are other exemptions.
(1) Charge is imposed on queen bees that are bred in Australia and exported from Australia. (2) Queen bee means a fertile female bee of the species Apis mellifera (commonly known as the European honeybee).
Levy already imposed (1) Charge is not imposed on queen bees if levy has already been imposed on the queen bees under Division 2 of Part 1‑1 of Schedule 1 to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Regulations 2024. Threshold exemption (2) Charge is not imposed on queen bees that a person exports from Australia in a financial year if the sum of the following amounts that the person would otherwise be liable to pay in relation to that year is less than $50: (a) charge under this Division; (b) levy under Division 2 of Part 1‑1 of Schedule 1 to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Regulations 2024 (queen bee levy).
The rate of the charge on queen bees is worked out using this table.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Queen bee export charge</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:8.58%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Item</span></p></td><td style="width:91.42%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Rate of charge</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:8.58%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:91.42%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Nil (the research and development component)</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
The charge on queen bees is payable by the person who exports the queen bees from Australia.
Clause 2‑1 applies in relation to queen bees that are exported on or after 1 July 2025, whether the queen bees are bred before, on or after that day.
Charge is imposed on honey that is: (a) produced in Australia by a bee of the species Apis mellifera; and (b) exported from Australia.
Levy already imposed (1) Charge is not imposed on honey if levy has already been imposed on the honey under subclause 3‑1(1) of Schedule 1 to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Regulations 2024. Threshold exemption (2) Charge is not imposed on honey that a person exports from Australia in a calendar month if the total quantity of honey the person exports from Australia in that month is 50 kilograms or less. (3) Subclause (2) does not apply to honey covered by subclause (1).
The rate of the charge on honey is worked out using this table.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Honey export charge</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:8.58%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Item</span></p></td><td style="width:91.42%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Rate of charge</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:8.58%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:91.42%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The sum of the following components:</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(a) 1.5 cents per kilogram of the honey (the research and development component);</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(b) 2.8 cents per kilogram of the honey (the biosecurity activity component);</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(c) 1 cent per kilogram of the honey (the biosecurity response component);</span></p><p class="Tablea"><span>(d) 0.3 cents per kilogram of the honey (the National Residue Survey component)</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
The charge on honey is payable by the person who exports the honey from Australia.
Original provisions (1) Clause 3‑1 applies in relation to honey that is exported on or after 1 January 2025, whether the honey is produced before, on or after that day. Amendments made by Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Almonds, Avocados and Honey) Regulations 2025 (2) Clause 3‑3, as amended by Schedule 1 to the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Almonds, Avocados and Honey) Regulations 2025, applies in relation to honey that is exported on or after 1 July 2025, whether the honey is produced before, on or after that day.
General
Charges are imposed on the export of various livestock. There are livestock exporter charges and livestock owner charges. There are also slaughter levies and transaction levies imposed on livestock under the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Regulations 2024.
Multiple charges and levies may apply over the course of an animal’s life, including at the same point in time. There are different charge payers and levy payers.
The charges consist of various components. Amounts equal to charges collected are disbursed to the declared meat industry body, the declared livestock export body, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Animal Health Australia or the National Residue Survey Special Account for spending on different activities.
Buffaloes
Buffalo export charge is imposed on buffaloes exported from Australia.
Cattle
There are 2 charges on cattle.
First, cattle exporter charge is imposed on cattle exported from Australia.
Second, cattle owner charges are imposed on cattle exported from Australia. There are charge exemptions.
Goats
There are 2 charges on goats.
First, goat exporter charge is imposed on goats exported from Australia.
Second, goat owner charges are imposed on goats exported from Australia. There are charge exemptions.
Sheep and lambs
There are 2 charges on sheep and lambs.
First, sheep and lambs exporter charge is imposed on sheep or lambs exported from Australia.
Second, sheep and lambs owner charges are imposed on sheep or lambs exported from Australia. There are charge exemptions.
(1) Charge is imposed on buffaloes exported from Australia. (2) Buffalo means an animal of the species Bubalus bubalis.
The rate of the charge on buffaloes is worked out using this table.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Buffalo export charge</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:8.58%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Item</span></p></td><td style="width:91.42%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Rate of charge</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:8.58%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:91.42%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>$4.60 per head (the research and development component)</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
The charge on buffaloes is payable by the person who owns the buffaloes immediately before they are loaded on the ship or aircraft in which they are exported from Australia.
Clause 8‑1 applies in relation to buffaloes that are exported on or after 1 July 2025.
Charge is imposed on cattle exported from Australia.
Note: Amounts equal to the proceeds of the charge are paid to the declared livestock export body for spending on marketing and research and development activities for the benefit of live animal exporters.
(1) The rate of the charge imposed by clause 9‑1 on cattle is worked out using this table.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="2" sty
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.