Import troubles for Australian eyewear distributors are deepening with The Australian Border Force planning to expand its border tax to include metal frames.
The authority’s intention to revoke the tariff concession order covering metal frames is not surprising given its broad view on what constitutes producing substitutable goods, said Amanda Trotman, CEO of the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA). “Whilst this news is not entirely unexpected, it is very frustrating and I feel for frames suppliers already facing many rising costs.”
Trotman said ODMA is awaiting an update regarding an earlier decision to revoke the concession on acetate frames from the Department of Home Affairs’ office following multiple requests and has been advised Home Affairs has asked Border Force to explain its 2022 decision to revoke the 5% tariff concession. ODMA is continuing to encourage its members to write to the minister of home affairs’ office to appeal the decision directly, she said, and will be looking to appeal this latest move by the 21 June deadline. It will also be seeking advice on other avenues to pursue, including a broader consumer-focused media campaign, she said. “ODMA is concerned that these revocation decisions create significant additional red tape and uncertainty for our members, who are now faced with further administrative burdens when determining which products and countries the tariff applies to. It is ODMA’s view that the reimposition of these tariffs does little to nothing to assist Australian industry and is to the detriment of Australian consumers.”
ODMA is also keeping tabs on the looming Australian-EU Free Trade Agreement, said Trotman, as the agreement would nullify any tariffs imposed by Border Force on large quantities of frames imported from Europe.
