Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has lodged a submission in response to Treasury's consultation on the removal of further nuisance tariffs. FTA supports the Government's objective of reducing unnecessary regulatory burden and modernising Australia's tariff framework, noting that many low-value tariff lines impose compliance costs that far exceed any revenue or policy benefit.
The submission endorses the proposed abolition of identified nuisance tariffs from 1 July 2026 and highlights how even minimal tariff rates trigger full classification, documentation and systems compliance requirements across the supply chain.
In addition, the submission draws attention to the continued use of multiple legacy statistical codes which no longer serve a meaningful statistical or policy purpose. Examples provided illustrate how redundant statistical distinctions increase administrative complexity without improving border risk management or trade data outcomes.
FTA recommends that, alongside the current tariff abolition process, a further targeted review be undertaken to assess whether redundant statistical codes can be consolidated as part of a genuine effort to reduce administrative burden and improve trade facilitation outcomes.