CUSTOMS TARIFF (NEW ZEALAND PREFERENCE).
No. 55 of 1957.
An Act to amend the Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference)1933–1954.
[Assented to 20th November, 1957.]
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 (New Zealand Preference) 1957.
(2.) The Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1933–1954, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1933–1957.
Amendment of Tariff.
2. The Schedule to the Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1933–1954 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 twenty-third day of May, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven, 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.
——
Amendment of the Schedule to the Customs Tariff
(New Zealand Preference) 1933–1954.
Consecutive No. | Tariff Item. | Tariff Rates on Goods the Produce or Manufacture of New Zealand. |
23. By omitting the whole item and inserting in its stead the following item:— | |
“23 | Ex 105 Textile piece goods of wool or containing wool to which— | |
| (a) paragraph (4) of sub-item (e) of Item 105, except in respect of cut pile moquettes; | |
| (b) paragraph (1), paragraph (2) or paragraph (6) of sub-item (f) of Item 105; or | |
| (c) sub-item (l) of Item 105, in the Schedule to the Customs Tariff 1933–1957, or that Act as amended from time to time, or as proposed to be amended from time to time by a Customs Tariff alteration proposed in the Parliament, applies | 22½ per cent. |
| | ad val.” |
Overview
The Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1957 was enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to amend the existing Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1933–1954, addressing the need for updated tariff rates on goods originating from New Zealand. This legislation was assented to on 20th November 1957 and is aimed at facilitating trade between Australia and New Zealand by adjusting customs duties. The Act imposes new duties on specified goods from New Zealand, effective from 23rd May 1957, and includes changes to the tariff rates for certain textile piece goods, amongst others, as outlined in the Schedule. The overarching policy objective of this Act is to refine and modernise the trade relationship between Australia and New Zealand through tariff adjustments.
Scope and Application
The Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1957 applies to the amendment of the Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1933–1954, specifically modifying the tariff rates on goods originating from or manufactured in New Zealand. This Act imposes duties of Customs on certain goods, altering the previously established rates in the Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1933–1954. The Act imposes these duties on the specified date of the twenty-third day of May, 1957, and applies across the Commonwealth of Australia. It includes amendments to the tariff schedule, which details the specific tariff rates on goods such as textile piece goods of wool or containing wool. The Act extends its application through the subordinate instrument, the Schedule, which provides the specifics of the tariff amendments. This legislative measure does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it is intended to regulate the importation of specified goods from New Zealand within the Australian market.
Key Provisions
The Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1957 amends the existing Customs Tariff (New Zealand Preference) 1933–1954. Section 2 of the Act outlines the specific amendments to the Schedule of the earlier tariff, altering the rates of duty on certain goods originating from or manufactured in New Zealand. For example, the tariff on textile piece goods of wool or containing wool, subject to certain conditions, is set at 22½ percent ad valorem. The imposition of these duties takes effect from the twenty-third day of May, 1957, at nine o’clock in the morning, as stated in Section 3.
Entities and individuals involved in the importation of the affected goods must comply with the amended tariff rates as stipulated in Section 2. Importers must ensure that the correct duty is paid on goods that meet the specified conditions, such as textile piece goods of wool or containing wool that are subject to the outlined sub-items and paragraphs within Item 105 of the amended Schedule. Customs officials are responsible for enforcing these tariff changes, ensuring that the appropriate duties are collected at the border.
Breaches of the provisions outlined in this Act could lead to legal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly detail offences or penalties, the non-payment of duties or incorrect classification of goods could result in financial penalties and potential legal action under existing customs legislation. Importers who fail to comply with the tariff amendments may face financial penalties, and in severe cases, criminal charges for fraud or evasion of duties. The specific penalties would be in accordance with the broader Customs Act 1901 and associated regulations, which can include fines and imprisonment for serious violations.