Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025

Strategic Insights -

The Australian government has recently issued an amendment to the Export Control Act 2020, through the Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025. This amendment makes significant changes to several rules governing the export of certain agricultural products, including feed grain, cotton, and sheepmeat. The changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the export process, while also addressing issues related to quota allocation and application provisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025 amends several rules related to the export of feed grain, cotton, and sheepmeat.
  • The changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the export process by emphasizing the importance of providing facilities and assistance to auditors.
  • The rules now require exporters to comply with requests made by auditors under paragraph 272(1)(a) of the Act, and to provide facilities and assistance to auditors as required by section 271 of the Act.
  • The quota allocation for cotton export to India has been reduced from 500 tonnes to 100 tonnes, effective from the quota year beginning on 1 January 2026.
  • The amendments made by Schedule 1 to the Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025 apply in relation to failures or requests made on or after the commencement of that Part.
  • The application provisions have been updated to include new divisions and sections related to the Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025.

Statistics:

  • The Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025 amends 21 sections and makes 16 amendments to existing rules.
  • The changes affect the export of feed grain, cotton, and sheepmeat, with a focus on enhancing transparency and accountability in the export process.
  • The quota allocation for cotton export to India has been reduced to 100 tonnes, effective from the quota year beginning on 1 January 2026.
  • The amendments made by Schedule 1 to the Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025 apply in relation to failures or requests made on or after the commencement of that Part.

Sources:

  • Export Control Act 2020
  • Export Control Legislation Amendment (Tariff Rate Quotas) Rules 2025 [SMILE000001]
  • Australian Government – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (no date) – Export Control (Tariff Rate Quotas—Feed Grain Export to Indonesia) Rules 2021 [AXION-7373]
  • Australian Government – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (no date) – Export Control (Tariff Rate Quotas—General) Rules 2021 [AXION-7374]
  • Australian Government – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (no date) – Export Control (Tariff Rate Quotas—Sheepmeat and Goatmeat Export to the European Union and United Kingdom) Rules 2021 [AXION-7375]