Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) continue to work with the Department of Home Affairs ('the department') and the Australian Border Force (ABF) on strengthening benefits available to importers, exporters and logistics service providers under the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) programme.
Earlier this week, FTA lodged a submission with the department requesting the consideration of service provider benefits. This submission was entirely based on input received by members.
Since its inception, ATT has seen significant growth in the participation of logistics service providers. While these businesses have been rewarded with use of the ATT branding, access to account managers and other advantages, feedback from FTA members is that they believe an opportunity exists for more tangible direct benefits.
FTA members have recommended:
- That the department considers extending the duty deferral benefit to accredited service providers;
- That the department considers extending deferral of fees, levies and Import Processing Charges (IPC) to accredited service providers;
- ATT Policy must provide formal guidance on differentiated compliance approaches, including the application of the Infringement Notice Scheme, for ATT accredited entities. This differentiated compliance approach must also apply to accredited logistics service providers;
- Align sea freight cargo reporting screening times to airfreight cargo reporting screening times for ATT accredited entities;
- Introduce a specific ATT application for logistics service providers;
- Improved reporting functionality for ATT accredited service providers;
- A differentiated process for advising minor variations of s.77G licenses;
- That the department consider a broad Community Protection declaration, similar to the Modern Slavery declaration, on a client-by-client basis. This benefit would be made available to ATT accredited cargo owners and their service providers;
- That exemption letters for non-road vehicles should not be required on a transactional basis, if the service provider, as the declarant, is accredited under the ATT programme;
- That Account Managers of ATT accredited service providers should be available to assist certain issues even when the cargo owner is not accredited under the scheme;
- That the department issues a self-assessment template for the CoO waiver requirement; and
- That the department commence engagement on potential operational reforms in managing Border Holds and interaction with ATT service providers.
FTA would like to thank the extensive input provided by members in the development of this submission.
We would also like to thank the department for their close engagement and look forward to participation at the ATT Peak Industry Body meeting in Sydney on 25 September 2019 to pursue ongoing reforms.
If you have any further ideas on service provider benefits, please email myself on tbrooks-garrett@ftalliance.com.au or our Head of Border and Biosecurity, Andrew Crawford, at acrawford@ftalliance.com.au
Parallel to this work, FTA & APSA will continue to work with the department on strengthening benefits for our importer and exporter members.
Travis Brooks-Garrett – FTA/APSA