West Australian manufacturing company, Cyber Technology Pty Ltd, has been fined $16,000 for attempting to export goods controlled under the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) without a permit.
The sentence was handed down on Tuesday 28 June in the Perth Magistrates Court. It follows an earlier conviction for a similar offence.
On 29 August 2014 the company was found guilty of attempting to export a prohibited export. The company was ordered to forfeit the goods, worth $80,000, and received a 12 month good behaviour bond with a $5,000 surety.
On 9 January 2015 a Cyber Technology Pty Ltd export was examined and was found to contain an unmanned aerial vehicle, a controlled item on the DSGL. No permit had been sought for the export, as is required.
On 10 August 2015 a further Cyber Technology Pty Ltd export was examined and was found to contain two forward looking infrared cameras, also a controlled item for which no export permit had been obtained.
The company was charged with two counts of attempting to export prohibited exports, contrary to section 233(1)(c) of the Customs Act 1901, which carries a maximum penalty of three times the value of the goods or 1000 penalty units.
Commander National Security, Don Smith, said the sentencing sent a strong message to companies about the requirement for the appropriate export permits.
"The hard work of our officers in detecting and seizing these prohibited exports has resulted in another conviction for this company," Commander Smith said.
"This case should serve as a warning to Australian companies seeking to export controlled goods."
Goods on the Defence and Strategic Goods List require export permission, otherwise they are a prohibited export under Regulation 13E of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 (Cth).
Information on goods on the Defence and Strategic Goods List can be found on the Department's Prohibited and Restricted Exports webpage.
Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244