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Administrative penalties

Administrative penalties will apply to exporters, importers licensees and agents who make errors or omissions on their entries and do not voluntarily disclose it to Customs.


What do you need to know?

  • It is important that entries are accurate so Customs can identify risky goods, ensure the right revenue is collected and that our Government has the right information to implement and monitor government policy. It also provides assurance to our international trading partners on the goods they are receiving.
  • The administrative penalty system encourages people to take reasonable care in completing export, import and excise entries. It also encourages people to voluntarily let Customs know when errors or omissions happen
  • Previously, administrative penalties only applied to import, excise and export drawback entries – but they now apply to all export entries
  • This means that anyone, including agents, who makes an error or omission on an entry, and who does not voluntarily disclose this to Customs, will be subject to an administrative penalty
  • Penalty amounts will be capped at $20,000 for errors or omissions due to a lack of reasonable care; $35,000 for cases of gross carelessness; and $50,000 for an error made knowingly
  • In all cases the minimum penalty is $200
  • Administrative penalties need to be paid within 20 working days.

Who does this impact?

  • Exporters
  • Importers
  • Excise Manufacturers.

What is the impact?

  • Export entries are now covered by the administrative penalty system, as well as import and excise entries
  • This means that anyone, including agents, who makes an error or omission on an entry, and who does not voluntarily disclose this to Customs, will be liable for an administrative penalty.

More information