Certain Inputs to Manufacture Evaluation

Overview

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, as part of its commitment to the continuous improvement of Australian industry policies and programmes, is conducting an evaluation of the following tariff concession items that relate to inputs to manufacturing:

• 46 (raw materials)
• 47 (metal materials)
• 48 (other inputs - chemicals, plastics and paper) and
• 49 (aluminium can sheet)

Items 46 and 47 refer to the Certain Inputs to Manufacture (CIM) programme whilst items 48 and 49 are standalone by-law concessions targeting similar industries. All four items are enabled under Schedule 4 of the Customs Tariff Act 1995.

The CIM programme and items 48 and 49 were introduced for two primary purposes:

1. To enhance the competitiveness of Australian industry (by lowering input costs and allowing industry duty free access to superior inputs to production); and
2. To increase the export potential of Australian industry.

As such, the Department is seeking the views of stakeholders of the concession items to evaluate performance and viability and to determine whether industry is accessing and utilising the concessions to benefit competition and manufacturing in Australia. The stakeholder groups are:

• Applicants – importers and/or end users of imported goods under items 46, 47, 48 and/or 49
• Local manufacturers – local suppliers of manufacturing inputs who may or may not have raised an objection under items 46, 47, 48 and/or 49
• Third parties – customs brokers, consultants etc who facilitate an application process under items 46, 47, 48 and/or 49
• Government/ public service – staff involved in delivery and/or policy aspects in relation to items 46, 47, 48 and/or 49 applications

The evaluation is focussing on usage over the previous six (6) financial years from 2009-10 to 2014-15.

The survey should take between 5 to 15 minutes to complete.