This order removes a tax break for importing specific mining equipment parts into Australia.
What changes?
The government is cancelling Tariff Concession Order 0710050, which previously allowed duty-free or reduced-rate import of:
- Toolholders used in road headers and tunnelling machines (heavy machinery used in mining and underground construction)
- Classified under customs tariff code 8207.19.00
Who is affected?
Companies importing these specific machinery parts. From 12 December 2007, they must pay standard customs duties instead of benefiting from the concession.
Why does this matter?
This increases the cost of importing these toolholders, potentially affecting project costs for mining and infrastructure projects. The government typically revokes such concessions when it determines the goods are now manufactured locally in Australia or no longer meet the criteria for special import exemptions (such as being unavailable from domestic suppliers).