PART 2
-
DUTIES OF CUSTOMS
SECTION 18
CALCULATION OF CONCESSIONAL DUTY
18(1)
Subject to sections
18A
,
20
and
22
, if an item in Schedule
4
prima facie applies to goods, that item only applies to those goods if the duty payable in respect of those goods under that item is less than the duty that, apart from this section, would be payable:
(a)
under the tariff classification in Schedule
3
that applies to the goods; or
(aa)
under an item in the table in Schedule
4A
that applies to the goods; or
(b)
under an item in the table in Schedule
5
that applies to the goods; or
(c)
under an item in the table in Schedule
6
that applies to the goods; or
(ca)
under an item in the table in Schedule
6A
that applies to the goods; or
(d)
under an item in the table in Schedule
7
that applies to the goods; or
(e)
under an item in the table in Schedule
8
that applies to the goods; or
(ea)
under an item in the table in Schedule
8A
that applies to the goods; or
(eb)
under an item in the table in Schedule
8B
that applies to the goods; or
(f)
under an item in the table in Schedule
9
that applies to the goods; or
(fa)
under an item in the table in Schedule
9A
that applies to the goods; or
(g)
under an item in the table in Schedule
10
that applies to the goods; or
(ga)
under an item in the table in Schedule
10A
that applies to the goods; or
(h)
under an item in the table in Schedule
11
that applies to the goods; or
(i)
under an item in the table in Schedule
12
that applies to the goods; or
(j)
under an item in the table in Schedule
13
that applies to the goods; or
(k)
under an item in the table in Schedule
14
that applies to the goods; or
(l)
under an item in the table in Schedule
15
that applies to the goods; or
(m)
under an item in the table in Schedule
16
that applies to the goods.
History
S 18(1) amended by No 33 of 2025, s 3 and Sch 1 item 11, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 October 2025; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 October 2025, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 October 2025. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 34 of 2023, s 3 and Sch 1 item 2, effective 25 April 2022.
S 18(1) amended by No 58 of 2022, s 3 and Sch 1 item 13, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 31 May 2023; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 31 May 2023, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 31 May 2023. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 56 of 2022, s 3 and Sch 1 item 10, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 29 December 2022; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 29 December 2022, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 29 December 2022. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 113 of 2021, s 3 and Sch 1 item 10, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 January 2022; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 January 2022, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 January 2022. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 113 of 2018, s 3 and Sch 1 item 8, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 13 December 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 13 December 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 13 December 2020. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 109 of 2019, s 3 and Sch 2 item 8, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 5 July 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 5 July 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 5 July 2020. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
9A
.
S 18(1) amended by No 109 of 2019, s 3 and Sch 1 item 10, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 11 February 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 11 February 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 11 February 2020. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 109 of 2019, s 3 and Sch 3 item 9, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 17 January 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 17 January 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 17 January 2020. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 128 of 2018, s 3 and Sch 1 item 10, effective 30 December 2018. For application and transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 121 of 2017, s 3 and Sch 1 item 9, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 December 2017; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 December 2017, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 December 2017.
S 18(1) amended by No 137 of 2015, s 3 and Sch 1 item 14, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after the commencement of this Schedule; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 20 December 2015, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 20 December 2015. For transitional provision, see note under Sch
12
.
S 18(1) amended by No 125 of 2014, s 3 and Sch 1 item 14, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 15 January 2015; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 15 January 2015, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 15 January 2015. For transitional provision see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(1) amended by No 114 of 2014, s 3 and Sch 1 item 13, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 12 December 2014; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 12 December 2014, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 12 December 2014.
S 18(1) amended by No 173 of 2012, s 3 and Sch 1 item 13, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 January 2013; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 January 2013, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 January 2013.
S 18(1) amended by No 98 of 2009, s 3, Sch 1, item 11, applicable in relation to (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 January 2010; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 January 2010, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 January 2010.
S 18(1) amended by No 128 of 2008, s 3, Sch 1 item 11, applicable in relation to goods imported into Australia on or after 6 March 2009 and goods imported into Australia before 6 March 2009 where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 6 March 2009.
S 18(1) amended by No 131 of 2004 and substituted by No 121 of 2004.
18(2)
For the purposes of subsection
(1)
, the amount of duty payable in respect of goods under an item in Schedule
4
is an amount of duty worked out as follows:
(a)
if the goods:
(i)
are not the produce or manufacture of a Preference Country; and
(ia)
are not Singaporean originating goods; and
(ii)
are not US originating goods; and
(iii)
are not Thai originating goods; and
(iv)
are not New Zealand originating goods; and
(iva)
are not Peruvian originating goods; and
(v)
are not Chilean originating goods; and
(vi)
are not AANZ originating goods; and
(via)
are not Pacific Islands originating goods; and
(vib)
are not Trans-Pacific Partnership originating goods; and
(vii)
are not Malaysian originating goods; and
(viia)
are not Indonesian originating goods; and
(viii)
are not Korean originating goods; and
(viiia)
are not Indian originating goods; and
(ix)
are not Japanese originating goods; and
(x)
are not Chinese originating goods; and
(xi)
are not Hong Kong originating goods; and
(xii)
are not RCEP originating goods; and
(xiii)
are not UK originating goods; and
(xiv)
are not UAE originating goods;
by reference to the general rate set out in the third column of that item;
(b)
if the goods are New Zealand originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to New Zealand is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(c)
if the goods are the produce or manufacture of Papua New Guinea:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Papua New Guinea is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(d)
if the goods are the produce or manufacture of Canada:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Canada is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
by reference to the general rate of duty set out in the third column of that item;
(e)
if the goods are the produce or manufacture of a Forum Island Country:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Forum Island Countries is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(f)
if the goods are the produce or manufacture of a Developing Country or place specified in Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the regulations:
(i)
subject to subparagraphs (ii) and (iii)
-
by reference to the general rate of duty set out in the third column of that item; or
(ii)
subject to subparagraph (iii), if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Developing Countries specified in Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the regulationsis set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(iii)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to a Developing Country or place specified in Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the regulations is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty;
(g)
if the goods are the produce or manufacture of a Developing Country or Place specified in Part
4
of Schedule
1
to the regulations, (other than Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Singapore or Taiwan Province):
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to those Developing Countries is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
by reference to the general rate of duty set out in the third column of that item;
(h)
if the goods are the produce or manufacture of a Developing Country specified in Part
3
of Schedule
1
to the regulations:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to those Developing Countries is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(i)
if under section
153H
or
153NA
of the
Customs Act 1901
the goods are the produce or manufacture of a Least Developed Country:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Least Developed Countries is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(j)
(Repealed by No 121 of 2017)
(ja)
if the goods are Singaporean originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Singapore is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(k)
if the goods are US originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to the United States of America is set out in the third column of that item-by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(l)
if the goods are Thai originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Thailand is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(la)
if the goods are Peruvian originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Peru is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(m)
if the goods are Chilean originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Chile is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(n)
if the goods are AANZ originating goods:
(i)
if
"
AANZ
"
is specified in relation to a rate of duty set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(na)
if the goods are Pacific Islands originating goods:
(i)
if
"
PI
"
is specified in relation to a rate of duty set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(nb)
if the goods are Trans-Pacific Partnership originating goods:
(i)
if
"
TPP
"
is specified in relation to a rate of duty set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(o)
if the goods are Malaysian originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Malaysia is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(oa)
if the goods are Indonesian originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Indonesia is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(p)
if the goods are Korean originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to the Republic of Korea is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(pa)
if the goods are Indian originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to India is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(q)
if the goods are Japanese originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Japan is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(r)
if the goods are Chinese originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to the People
'
s Republic of China is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(s)
if the goods are Hong Kong originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to Hong Kong is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(t)
if the goods are RCEP originating goods:
(i)
if
"
RCEP
"
is specified in relation to a rate of duty set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(u)
if the goods are UK originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to the United Kingdom is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free;
(v)
if the goods are UAE originating goods:
(i)
if a rate of duty that applies in relation to the United Arab Emirates is set out in the third column of that item
-
by reference to that rate of duty; or
(ii)
otherwise
-
Free.
History
S 18(2) amended by No 33 of 2025, s 3 and Sch 1 items 12 and 13, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 October 2025; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 October 2025, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 October 2025. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 58 of 2022, s 3 and Sch 1 items 14 and 15, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 31 May 2023; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 31 May 2023, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 31 May 2023. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 56 og 2022, s 3 and Sch 1 items 11 and 12, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 29 December 2022; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 29 December 2022, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 29 December 2022. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 113 of 2021, s 3 and Sch 1 items 11 and 12, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 January 2022; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 January 2022, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 January 2022. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 113 of 2018, s 3 and Sch 1 items 9 and 10, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 13 December 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 13 December 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 13 December 2020. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 121 of 2017, s 3 and Sch 2 item 4, applicable on and after 1 December 2020 in relation to goods imported into Australia before 1 December 2020.
S 18(2) amended by No 109 of 2019, s 3 and Sch 2 items 9 and 10, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 5 July 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 5 July 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 5 July 2020. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
9A
.
S 18(2) amended by No 109 of 2019, s 3 and Sch 1 items 11 and 12, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 11 February 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 11 February 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 11 February 2020. For application and transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 109 of 2019, s 3 and Sch 3 items 10 and 11, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 17 January 2020; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 17 January 2020, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 17 January 2020. For transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 128 of 2018, s 3 and Sch 1 items 11 and 12, effective 30 December 2018. For application and transitional provisions, see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 121 of 2017, s 3 and Sch 1 items 10 and 11, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 December 2017; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 December 2017, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 December 2017.
S 18(2) amended by No 20 of 2017, s 3 and Sch 1 items 8
-
10, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 July 2017; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 July 2017, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 July 2017.
S 18(2) amended by No 137 of 2015, s 3 and Sch 1 items 15
-
17, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after the commencement of this Schedule; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 20 December 2015, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 20 December 2015. For transitional provision, see note under Sch
12
.
S 18(2) amended by No 125 of 2014, s 3 and Sch 1 items 15
-
17, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 15 January 2015; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 15 January 2015, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 15 January 2015. For transitional provision see note under Sch
4
.
S 18(2) amended by No 114 of 2014, s 3 and Sch 1 items 14
-
16, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 12 December 2014; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 12 December 2014, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 12 December 2014.
S 18(2) amended by No 173 of 2012, s 3 and Sch 1 items 14
-
16, applicable in relation to: (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 January 2013; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 January 2013, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 January 2013.
S 18(2) amended by No 98 of 2009, s 3, Sch 1, items 12, 13 and 14, applicable in relation to (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 January 2010; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 January 2010, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 January 2010.
S 18(2) amended by No 128 of 2008, Sch 1, items 12, 13 and 14, applicable in relation to goods imported into Australia on or after 6 March 2009 and goods imported into Australia before 6 March 2009 where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 6 March 2009.
S 18(2) amended by No 166 of 2006, Sch 1, items 14 and 15.
S 18(2) amended by No 131 of 2004, No 121 of 2004 and No 63 of 2003.
Least rate of duty
18(3)
If, apart from this subsection, more than one paragraph of subsection
(2)
would apply in relation to the goods, then the paragraph that does apply in relation to the goods is the paragraph in respect of which the least amount of duty would be payable in respect of the goods.
History
S 18(3) substituted by No 98 of 2009, s 3, Sch 1, item 15, applicable in relation to (a) goods imported into Australia on or after 1 January 2010; and (b) goods imported into Australia before 1 January 2010, where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 1 January 2010.
S 18(3) substituted by No 128 of 2008.
S 18(3) inserted by No 131 of 2004.
18(4)
(Repealed by No 128 of 2008)
History
S 18(4) repealed by No 128 of 2008, Sch 1, item 15, applicable in relation to goods imported into Australia on or after 6 March 2009 and goods imported into Australia before 6 March 2009 where the time for working out the rate of import duty on the goods had not occurred before 6 March 2009.
S 18(4) inserted by No 131 of 2004.