What this does: This order cancels a previous tax break that allowed specific imported conveyor belts to enter Australia without paying full customs duty.
What it affects: It revokes Tariff Concession Order TC 0708865, which covered steel cord conveyor belts at least 950mm wide (customs classification 4010.11.00).
Why it matters:
- Importers can no longer use concession item 5005.02.08 (from Schedule 4 of the Customs Tariff) to claim reduced duty rates on these goods
- From 6 February 2008, standard import duties apply to these specific heavy-duty rubber belts (typically used in mining and bulk materials handling)
- This ends the duty-free or reduced-duty treatment that had been in place since 12 June 2007
Who is affected: Companies importing industrial steel-cord conveyor belts, particularly suppliers to mining, construction, or agricultural industries.