In a bid to promote local manufacturing, the Australian Border Force has revoked the 5% tariff concession on imports of acetate optical frames, reported Australian media. The move, initiated by New South Wales eyewear manufacturer Optex Australia, was challenged by the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA), which was instrumental in securing the concession for optical frames importers in 2003.
ODMA is very concerned about the effect of the revocation of Tariff Concession Order 0315725, especially given the current economic climate and the continued importance of the import market in Australia for the supply of optical frames, said Amanda Trotman, ODMA acting CEO. The speed with which the tariff was overturned and the lack of value placed on the volume capacity of the manufacturer making the application for a revocation was also of concern, she said.
Mark Wymond, Eyes Right Optical’s managing director agreed, saying it was “ridiculous” there wasn’t a minimum requirement on the manufacturer’s ability to service the market factored into such a decision. “I’m hoping sanity will prevail and this tariff will be scrapped.”
ODMA had been in private negotiations with Optex to resolve the situation since June, said Trotman. “We acknowledge this outcome will have been a shock to many ODMA and industry members and it places further pressure on importers from areas such as Europe, where, unlike China, there is currently no free-trade agreement.” ODMA is now engaging with numerous industry members to gain feedback and reviewing alternative courses of action, she said.
The revocation is backdated to 13 May 2022, with provisions in place for goods already in transit to Australia by that date. In New Zealand, where there has been no eyewear manufacturing for decades, there are no tariffs or duties on eyewear imports.
