Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1956

Legislation au C1956A00060 Not in force Act

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CUSTOMS TARIFF (CANADIAN PREFERENCE).

 

No. 60 of 1956.

An Act to amend the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1954.

[Assented to 13th September, 1956.]

BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows :—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1956.

(2.) The Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1954, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1956.

Amendment of Tariff.

2. The Schedule to the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1954 is amended as set out in the Schedule to this Act and duties of Customs are imposed in accordance with the first-mentioned Schedule as amended by the last-mentioned Schedule.

Time of imposition of duties.

3. The time of the imposition of the duties of Customs imposed by this Act is the seventeenth day of May, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-six, at nine o’clock in the forenoon, reckoned according to standard time in the Australian Capital Territory, and this Act shall be deemed to have come into operation at that time.


THE SCHEDULE. Section 2.

 

Amendments of the Schedule to the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1954.

Tariff Item.

Tariff on goods the produce or manufacture of Canada.

DIVISION XII.—HIDES, LEATHER, AND RUBBER.

328. By omitting—

 

“328. Goloshes, rubber sand boots and shoes and plimsolls----------------per pair

1s. 5d.

or ad val.

22½per cent.

whichever rate returns the higher duty.”

 

and inserting in its stead the following :—

 

“328. (a) Goloshes, rubber sand boots and shoes and plimsolls—

 

(1) Children’s------------------------------------per pair

3s. 6d.

and ad val.

5 per cent.

(2) Other---------------------------------------per pair

5s. 6d.

and ad val.

5 per cent.

(b) Waterproof rubber boots shoes and footwear not included under sub-item (a)—

 

(1) Children’s-----------------------------------------

Intermediate Tariff

(2) Other--------------------------------------------

Intermediate Tariff”

DIVISION XIV.—VEHICLES.

Ex. 359. By omitting—

 

“(4) Chassis, including lamps but not including rubber tyres and tubes, storage batteries, shock absorbers (excepting steering dampers), bumper bars, radiator assemblies, sparking plugs, springs and goods covered by Tariff Item 359 (f) (3)—

 

(a) Unassembled, viz. :—Car, and car type capable of use for commercial vehicles per lb.

3d.

(b) Unassembled, viz. :—Truck omnibus or other commercial vehicle  per lb.

2¾d.

(c) Assembled-------------------------------------per lb.

4½d.

Provided that for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) the classification shall be as determined by the Minister and the Minister’s decision shall be final.”

 

and inserting in its stead the following :—

 

“(4) Chassis, including lamps but not including rubber tyres and tubes, storage batteries, shock absorbers (excepting steering dampers), bumper bars, radiator assemblies, sparking plugs, springs and goods covered by Tariff Item 359 (f) (3) and Tariff Item 359 (k)—

 

(a) Unassembled, viz. :—Car, and car type capable of use for commercial vehicles per lb.

3d.

(b) Unassembled, viz. :—Truck omnibus or other commercial vehicle-per lb.

2¾d.

(c) Assembled.....................................per lb.

4½d.

Provided that for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) the classification shall be as determined by the Minister and the Minister’s decision shall be final.”

 

By adding a new sub-item (k) as follows :—

 

“(k) Parts of axle assemblies of the ‘I’ beam type, viz., axle beams, stub axles and steering arms for operating stub axles, for vehicles with self-contained power (except vehicles covered by Item 360), whether imported separately or otherwise—

 

(1) As prescribed by Departmental By-laws--------------------per lb.

3d.

(2) Other-------------------------------------------ad val.

57½per cent.”


The Schedule—continued.

Tariff Item.

Tariff on goods the produce or manufacture of Canada.

Division XIV.—Vehicles—continued.

Ex. 360. By omitting—

 

“(a) Trucks, propelled by self-contained power, designed principally for loading unloading stacking or tiering of goods, and counterweighted or designed to be counterweighted at the steering axle end to enable loads to be handled on forks or other attachments to elevating masts at the driving axle end, including any of the following equipment or attachments imported with and for use with such trucks, viz., special forks, crane attachment, boom attachment, scoop attachment, roll-over or revolving head attachment, drum carrying attachment, side shifting attachment, squeeze gripping attachment, steady attachment or clamp lift, brick forks, bale carrying attachment, platform attachment, drum handling attachment, coal grab attachment, push pull attachment, pusher attachment, case grab attachment, and end or side dumping skip—

 

(1) Of lifting capacities up to and including 10,000 lb. weight

 

ad val.

22½ per cent.

(2) Of lifting capacities in excess of 1.0,000 lb. weight---------------ad val.

7½ per cent.”

and inserting in its stead the following :—

“(a) Trucks, propelled by self-contained power, designed principally for loading unloading stacking or tiering of goods by means of fork or other attachments to elevating masts, including any of the following equipment or attachments imported with and for use with such trucks, viz., special forks, crane attachment, boom attachment, scoop attachment, roll-over or revolving head attachment, drum carrying attachment, side shifting attachment, squeeze gripping attachment, steady attachment or clamp lift, brick forks, bale carrying attachment, platform attachment, drum handling attachment, coal grab attachment, push pull attachment, pusher attachment, case grab attachment, and end or side dumping skip—

 

(1) Of lifting capacities up to and including 10,000 lb. weight

 

ad val.

22½ per cent.

(2) Of lifting capacities in excess of 10,000 lb. weight----------------ad val.

7½ per cent.”

 

Overview

The Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1956, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, is an amendment to the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1954, introduced to adjust the tariffs on certain goods originating from Canada. This Act modifies specific tariff rates and classifications to align with the evolving trade dynamics between Australia and Canada, ensuring that the preferential treatment of Canadian goods continues to support and strengthen economic ties between the two nations. The amendments include changes to duties on items such as rubber footwear and vehicle chassis, reflecting updated commercial practices and the need to accurately reflect the value and classification of imported goods.

Scope and Application

The Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1956 is an Act that amends the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1954, imposing duties on goods originating from or manufactured in Canada. This legislation applies to specific goods, primarily in the hides, leather, rubber, and vehicle industries, as detailed in the amended tariff schedule. The Act impacts entities and individuals involved in the importation of these goods into Australia, including importers, exporters, and customs brokers. The Act has a national reach, being a Commonwealth Act, and applies to all states and territories within Australia. The specified amendments and impositions of duties take effect from the seventeenth day of May, 1956. While the Act itself does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, the detailed amendments in the Schedule provide specific criteria for the imposition of duties, such as differentiating between children’s and other categories for certain footwear items and setting out different tariffs based on the lifting capacities of trucks. The application of this Act may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or ministerial decisions, which may provide additional clarification or specific implementation details.

Key Provisions

The Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1956 (C1956A00060) amends the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1934–1954, specifically updating tariff rates for certain goods. Section 2 of the Act details the amendments, which include changes to tariffs on hides, leather, and rubber products, as well as vehicles. For example, tariff rates on rubber footwear have been differentiated based on whether they are children's or other types, with specific rates and ad valorem percentages provided. Additionally, the tariff on vehicle chassis has been updated, and new rates have been introduced for parts of axle assemblies of the 'I' beam type. The Act also modifies tariff rates for trucks designed for loading, unloading, stacking, or tiering of goods, distinguishing between lifting capacities up to and exceeding 10,000 lb. The Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1956 imposes obligations on importers, manufacturers, and other relevant parties to ensure that the correct tariff rates are applied to the goods they import or produce. Importers must correctly classify the goods they import according to the updated tariff rates, while manufacturers must declare the origin of the goods and ensure that they comply with the specified tariff classifications. The Minister’s decision on the classification of certain goods, such as vehicle chassis, is final and binding, thereby imposing a specific requirement on these parties to adhere to ministerial classifications. Under the Customs Tariff (Canadian Preference) 1956, there are potential civil and criminal consequences for non-compliance with the tariff provisions. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text provided, non-compliance generally could lead to fines or other civil penalties for incorrect tariff declarations, as well as potential criminal penalties for willful or repeated violations. In Australia, penalties for breaches of customs laws can include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific breach and the relevant customs and trade legislation in place at the time of the offence.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.