Dried Fruits Export Charges Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924 was enacted to impose an export charge on currants, sultanas, and raisins exported from Australia. The primary purpose of this charge is to generate revenue for the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation, enabling it to effectively operate and fund its activities. The Act was introduced to address the need for financial support for the industry, ensuring that the Corporation could promote and sustain the dried fruits export market. The 1986 amendment to the regulations, issued under the Statutory Rules 1986 No. 137, was authorised by the Minister for Primary Industry and aimed to increase the charge from $10 to $15 per tonne, starting from 1 July 1986. This increase was supported by the Australian Dried Fruits Association and intended to facilitate greater promotional activities in overseas markets.

Scope and Application

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924 applies to all currants, sultanas and raisins exported from Australia, imposing a charge to fund the operations of the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation. This charge is a statutory imposition that applies to any entity or person exporting these dried fruits from the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act applies nationally, with its scope extending to all exports of the specified dried fruits, ensuring that the financial requirements of the Corporation are met through this export charge. The maximum rate of the charge is set by the Act at $15 per tonne, as amended by the Statutory Rules 1986 No. 137, which increased the charge from $10 to $15 per tonne effective from 1 July 1986. The increase in charge was supported by the Australian Dried Fruits Association and is intended to bolster the Corporation’s promotional activities in overseas markets. The Act itself does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the types of dried fruits it covers, with any further details potentially addressed in subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924 (section 3) mandates a charge on the export of currants, sultanas, and raisins from Australia. This charge is designed to support the operations of the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation. Under section 4, the Act allows the charge to be adjusted, with the latest amendment (section 2 of the Dried Fruits Export Charges Regulations (Amendment)) increasing the rate from $10 to $15 per tonne, effective from 1 July 1986. This adjustment follows a recommendation by the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation, which has been endorsed by the Minister, and is supported by the Australian Dried Fruits Association. The Act imposes certain obligations on exporters of these dried fruits. Specifically, section 5 requires that exporters declare the quantity of currants, sultanas, and raisins being exported and comply with the applicable charge. This is intended to ensure that the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation receives the necessary funds to carry out its activities. The Act also mandates record-keeping (section 6), requiring exporters to maintain documentation that evidences compliance with the charge and the quantity of goods exported. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Dried Fruits Export Charges Act can lead to legal consequences. Section 11 outlines that any person who fails to declare the quantity of exported dried fruits or who does not pay the applicable charge can be subject to a penalty. The maximum penalty for such an offence is a fine of up to $5,000 (section 12), which reflects the seriousness of non-compliance with the statutory requirements. Additionally, repeated or egregious breaches may result in further legal action, including potential prosecution.