Excise guidelines for the alcohol industry

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5 MOVEMENT PERMISSIONS

5.1 PURPOSE

This Chapter deals with:

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why you need a movement permission

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different movement permission types

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whether you can get a movement permission

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what is included in a movement permission

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whether the receiving premises have to be covered by a licence

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whether you will need to pay a security

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what happens when your movement permission is granted

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your responsibilities

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what happens if your application for a movement permission is not approved

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when and how a movement permission can be revoked or cancelled

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how to apply for a movement permission

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how to amend a continuing movement permission, and

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penalties that can apply to offences in relation to movement permissions.

5.2 INTRODUCTION

Under the excise system, control of goods from the time of creation to the point of authorised delivery of the goods into the Australian domestic market, or export, lies with the Commissioner. To maintain this control, the Excise Act requires that excisable goods are not to be moved without permission. ^[116]

We refer to this form of permission as a movement permission. It is a permission we provide in writing that authorises you to move specified goods from a specified place to another. ^[117] This permission may be subject to conditions.

The permission holder retains responsibility for any excise liability arising on the ' excisable alcohol products ' until they are taken up into the stock of the new premises.

5.3 POLICY AND PRACTICE

5.3.1 PERMISSION TYPES

Depending on your circumstances, you may apply for a permission to move excisable alcohol products once (single permission) or excisable alcohol products of a particular kind on a continuing basis (continuing permission). Continuing permissions are used where you have a need to move excisable alcohol products in a regular pattern (for example, a delivery each week to the same premises). A single permission is used when movements are not on a continuing or regular pattern to the same premises.

There are 5 types of movement permission:

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single movement permission (non-export) – a permission to move excisable alcohol products from one specified place to another specified place (effective for one movement)

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continuing movement permission (non-export) – a permission to move excisable alcohol products of a kind specified from one specified place to another specified place on a continuing basis

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general movement permission – a permission to move excisable alcohol products of a kind from any premises covered by your licence to any other premises covered by a licence which are authorised to keep those goods, on a continuing basis

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single movement permission (export) – a permission to move excisable alcohol products only to a place of export (effective for one movement), or

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continuing movement permission (export) – a permission to move excisable alcohol products only of a kind specified to a place of export on a continuing basis.

An export movement permission is not an authority to export. You must obtain this separately from the Department of Home Affairs.

5.3.2 OBTAINING A MOVEMENT PERMISSION

You can be granted a movement permission if you are the licence holder of:

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the place covered by a licence from where the goods are despatched or

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the place covered by a licence where the goods are received.

You can also be granted a movement permission if you are the owner of the excisable alcohol products even if you do not hold an excise licence.

A general movement permission can only be granted to the holder of an excise licence, which will allow the licence holder to despatch excisable alcohol products from any premises covered by that licence. If you are granted a licence that covers more than one premises, you may also receive a general movement permission by default.

5.3.3 WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A MOVEMENT PERMISSION

Each movement permission we approve contains 3 parts:

1. The permission

This specifies the:

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permission holder

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goods by tariff item or general description that can be moved under the permission.

The type of goods may be expressed generally (for example, 'excisable goods', 'excisable alcohol products') or specifically, by tariff item number or description.

A single movement permission will specify the kind and quantity of the goods that can be moved, for example, 12 (cartons) × 24 (cans) × 375 ml rum and cola @ 5% alcohol by volume = 5.4 litres of alcohol (LALs) classified to excise tariff item 2.

2. The conditions

Movement permissions can be subject to conditions that are necessary to protect the revenue or ensure compliance with the Excise Act. In general, the conditions listed below are considered necessary to do that.

As a standard condition, you must provide to both the despatching and receiving premises a consecutively numbered document with each movement of goods that specifies:

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the despatching premises and destination

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the date of despatch

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the number and type of packages

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a description of the goods

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a statement that the goods are ' underbond ', and

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any other information necessary to permit the goods to be dealt with at the destination.

A condition can also have a restriction limiting the volume of goods that can be moved within a specific period of time, or at any one time.

A copy of the movement document is to be sent separately to the specified destination place. It should be sent within 24 hours of the dispatch of the goods. Note that this condition does not apply to export movement permissions.

3. The schedule

This specifies:

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the premises from which the goods can be removed

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the premises to which the goods can be moved

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the goods by tariff item that can be moved under the permission, and

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for single movement permissions, the period or dates when the goods may be moved.

If both premises between which goods are being moved are covered by your licence, the schedule may not specify all these details but only that any movement of goods between premises is approved.

Note that general movement permissions will not contain a schedule, as the permission allows the permission holder to move excisable alcohol products of a kind from any premises covered by their licence to any other premises covered by a licence that are authorised to keep those kinds of goods.

5.3.4 RECEIVING PREMISES AND LICENCES

Generally, the receiving premises should be covered by a licence. However, we may authorise underbond movement of goods to a 'specified place' not covered by a licence, for example, a waste destruction facility.

For a general movement permission the receiving premises must be covered by a licence that authorises those kinds of goods may be kept there.

5.3.5 PAYING A SECURITY

Prior to granting a movement permission, we may also require you to provide a security to protect the revenue or ensure compliance with the Excise Act. Even if we don't require a security prior to the granting of the movement permission, we may ask for a security at a later time. We can also ask you to increase the value of any security you may already have given. ^[118]

A security can be a bond, guarantee, cash deposit or similar financial product for an amount of money which may be forfeited if there is a failure to comply with the Excise Act. It is not necessary for a liability to arise as a result of the failure to comply, for the security to be forfeited. There is no statutory limit to the amount of a security but the amount is generally set by reference to the level of revenue at risk.

As part of assessing your application for a movement permission, we will decide whether you must provide a security. We will take into account:

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whether you currently hold an excise licence

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whether the despatching and receiving premises are covered by a licence

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the type of goods involved

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the amount of the liability on the goods

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the tax compliance record of

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the applicant for the permission

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the owner of the despatching premises

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the owner of the receiving premises, and

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the susceptibility of the goods to be lost or diverted into the Australian domestic market without the payment of duty.

We review securities linked to continuous movement permissions every 3 years, at which time they may be extended, revised or cancelled. Compliance with a single movement permission is assessed on completion of the movement of the excisable goods covered by the permission.

The decision to require a security is not a reviewable decision under the objection process. However, there may be other avenues for review, for example, you may seek an informal review of our decision.

For more information about your review rights, refer to Chapter 8 Reviews and objections.

5.3.6 ONCE A MOVEMENT PERMISSION IS GRANTED

When your movement permission is granted, it will be sent to you. You can then move your goods in accordance with the permission or the schedule attached to the permission. You will need to keep appropriate records to track the movement of your goods.

5.3.7 YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Where you have had possession, custody or control of goods we may request you (the permission holder) to account for the goods. If you are able to demonstrate that the goods have been lawfully moved under a movement permission, this will be considered a satisfactory accounting. It is important that you keep satisfactory records of any movements of goods from your premises.

If you cannot satisfactorily account for the goods or have failed to keep them safe, we may demand an amount equal to the duty that would have been payable on the goods. ^[119]

The permission holder is accountable for the goods:

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from the time they are removed from the despatching premises, and

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until they are delivered to the receiving premises.

Accountability then transfers to the receiving premises. If the permission holder is the owner of the receiving premises, transfer of accountability occurs when the goods leave the despatching premises. If the permission holder owns the goods but is not licensed, they would generally be accountable for the goods from the time they are removed from the despatching premises until they are delivered to the receiving premises and taken up into stock.

If you transfer goods to another premises and there is a discrepancy between the quantity shown in the delivery documentation and the physical quantity received you should contact us.

In the exceptional case where the goods are moved to premises not covered by a licence, this explanation alone will be insufficient to satisfactorily account for the goods.

5.3.8 IF AN APPLICATION IS NOT APPROVED

If we do not approve your application for a movement permission, or to amend your existing movement permission, we will notify you in writing. You will not be able to move the goods to the place nominated in the application. If you are not satisfied with our decision, you can ask us to review it.

For more information about your review rights, refer to Chapter 8 Reviews and objections.

5.3.9 REVOCATION OR CANCELLATION OF A MOVEMENT PERMISSION

Continuing and general movement permissions remain in effect until they are cancelled. ^[120]

We can cancel your movement permission if:

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you ask us to do so

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we consider that there is a risk to the revenue, or

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we have cancelled the licence of the receiving or despatching premises (in the case of a continuing movement permission).

If we decide to cancel your movement permission, we will notify you in writing. The cancellation will take effect from the time:

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you are served with the cancellation notice, or

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specified on the cancellation notice.

A decision to revoke or cancel a movement permission is not a reviewable decision.

For more information about your review rights, refer to Chapter 8 Reviews and objections.

5.4 PROCEDURES

5.4.1 APPLYING FOR A MOVEMENT PERMISSION

Relevant forms to apply for a movement permission are available at Permission to move excisable alcohol products .

If you wish to be granted a general movement permission, contact us on 1300 137 290 or via ATO Online Services to discuss. In the case of a continuing movement permission, if you do not have control of the proposed receiving premises (whether covered by a licence or not), we require you to obtain a letter from the operator of these premises stating that they will accept responsibility for the underbond goods when received. The instructions for the movement permission application forms contain details of the statement required from the operator of the receiving premises.

If you need to deliver goods to new premises within specified periods, ensure that you allow sufficient time for your application to be determined. Generally, we will make a decision on your application within 28 business days unless we need further information.

If you are granted a licence that covers more than one premises, or your existing licence is varied to cover more than one premises, you may also receive a general movement permission by default with your licence.

5.4.2 AMENDING A CONTINUING MOVEMENT PERMISSION

If you wish to amend your existing continuing movement permission (for example, change the schedule of receiving premises), you must send us either a:

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new application form with the amending details, or

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letter including the permission number and necessary changes.

If you wish to add new receiving premises to your existing permission, you must also provide us with a letter from the operator of the receiving premises accepting responsibility for the underbond goods when received. The instructions for the movement permission application form contain details of the statement required from an operator of the receiving premises.

We will consider your request and send you a new or amended permission if approved. In the meantime, you cannot move goods outside your current permission.

5.4.3 MORE INFORMATION

If you need more information on movement permissions, contact us via:

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ATO Online Services

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phone 1300 137 290 , or

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write to us at

Australian Taxation Office
PO Box 3514
ALBURY NSW 2640

We will ordinarily respond to electronic requests within 28 business days. We will ordinarily finalise private rulings within 28 days of receiving all necessary information. If we cannot respond within 28 days, we will contact you within 14 days to obtain more information or negotiate an extended response date.

5.5 PENALTIES THAT CAN APPLY IN RELATION TO MOVEMENT PERMISSIONS

The following are the penalties that may apply after conviction for an offence.

Move

If you move excisable alcohol products without a movement permission, the penalty is 2 years in prison or the greater of 500 ' penalty units ' and 5 times the amount of duty that would be payable if the goods had been entered for home consumption on the penalty day. ^[121]

If you move excisable alcohol products contrary to your movement permission, the penalty is 2 years in prison or the greater of 500 penalty units and 5 times the amount of duty that would be payable if the goods had been entered for home consumption on the penalty day. ^[122]

5.6 TERMS USED

Excisable alcohol products

Excisable goods are goods on which excise duty is imposed. Excise duty is imposed on goods that are listed in the Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act, or an excise tariff alteration, and manufactured in Australia.

As this Guide deals with alcohol products, we have used the term excisable alcohol products.

Excisable alcohol products include:

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beer

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spirits

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premixed drinks known as ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages

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brewed beverages that are not beer, and

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high strength spirit for non-beverage use, including denatured spirit.

Penalty units

The value of a penalty unit is contained in section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914 , and is indexed regularly. The dollar amount of a penalty unit is available at Penalties .

Underbond

This is an expression not found in excise legislation but it is widely used to describe goods that are subject to excise control. Excisable goods that are subject to the Commissioner's control are commonly referred to as 'underbond goods' or as being 'underbond'. This includes goods that have not yet been delivered into the Australian domestic market and goods moving between premises under a movement permission.

5.7 LEGISLATION (quick reference guide)

In this Chapter, we have referred to the following legislation:

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Excise Act 1901

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section 16 – right to require security

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section 17 – form of security

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section 18 – general security may be given

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section 19 – cancellation of bonds

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section 20 – new sureties

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section 21 – form of security

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section 22 – effect of security

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section 60 – persons to keep excisable goods safely etc.

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section 61A – permission to remove goods that are subject to the CEO's control

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section 117A – unlawfully moving excisable goods

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Excise Tariff Act 1921

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The Schedule

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Crimes Act 1914

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section 4AA – penalty units

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Acts Interpretation Act 1901

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section 33 – exercise of powers and duties

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Amendment history

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References