Is Your Company Overpaying Australian Customs Duties?

July 19, 2012 - PRLog -- “In today’s internationally competitive marketplace, it is important to understand how import and excise duties can affect your organisation’s bottom line.  Business owners, CEOs, CFOs, Operation Managers may be able to reduce a significant portion of their company’s Customs Tariff liabilities by conducting an Import File Audit”, says Tony Bell Director and Chief Customs Duty Refund Auditor at Curlett, Cannon & Galbell Pty Ltd (CCG).

“Without effective scrutiny”, says Tony “many importers overpay duty and/or fail to claim their duty refund entitlements.  Whilst most importers do routinely scrutinise their logistics costs, they do not conduct much analysis of their customs duty rates.  Curlett, Cannon & Galbell through our specialised Customs Duty Refund Audit service are able to offer a seismic shift in this regard.  We provide current, up-to date, and tangible leading-edge advice for implementing strategies to legally minimise import duty payments”.

Tony says, “That some important considerations that Australian importers should be aware off are:

1. The statute of limitations for claiming duty and excise refund entitlements is 4 years.
2. If your organisation has never conducted a review of your import data, you may not only be missing-out on potential refunds and prospective future savings, but also creating a contingent duty liability, and potential exposure in the event of an Australian Customs and Border Protection Service audit.
3. A lack of scrutiny of import tariffs, can adversely impact the business’s strategy decisions and bottom line.”

“Your first step in identifying savings opportunities”, informs Tony “is to invite Curlett, Cannon & Galbell to conduct a Duty Refund Audit of your imports.  It is an essential first step, in order to assess the opportunity or otherwise for duty savings.  The data can then be used to identify the types of products that should or should not attract duty.  The origins of goods and whether or not tariff concession orders or free trade agreements apply are some of the areas of Customs Tariff considered during an audit.”

“Besides being able to obtain refunds over the past 4 years from Australian Customs”, says Tony Bell, “The ongoing future benefits to the organisation can be significant”

If you want further information contact CCG on +613 9330 2122, www.ccgpl.com.au, or email us at info@ccgpl.com.au to request a copy of our explanation leaflets, or speak to us to identify potential opportunities for duty refunds and savings.