Review of the policy framework & legislative requirements for the importation and exportation of Temperature Controlled Container Units (TCCUs)

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received advice from Australian Border Force (ABF) Of A "Review of the policy framework & legislative requirements for the importation and exportation of Temperature Controlled Container Units (TCCUs)"

The Australian Border Force (ABF), as Australia's Customs Service, seeks to facilitate trade while managing risk at the border and protecting the Australian community.
The ABF has previously advised of updated arrangements to manage the growing use of Temperature Controlled Container Units (TCCUs) – for example:

• goods-compliance-update-december-2018 article on TCCUs (page 9); and
• Australian Customs Cargo Advice 2012/11.

In light of a range of queries regarding TCCUs and their treatment, the ABF is reviewing its internal arrangements and the requirements of the Customs Act 1901 for the import and export of TCCUs.
Specifically, the review will consider:

• the consistency of definitions of 'container' within customs legislation;
• pre-arrival cargo reporting and export reporting and processes for TCCUs, either loaded or empty;
• temporary importation process for TCCUs, either loaded or empty, and including monetary security requirements and the tariff classification or preferential tariff treatment of temporarily imported TCCUs; and
• novel business models for TCCU usage that are unsupported by current policy, or the legislative requirements of the Customs Act 1901.