Tradex Scheme

Grant Information

Tradex provides relief to exporting companies via an up-front exemption from Customs duty and GST on imported goods intended for re-export or to be used as inputs to exports.

The Tradex Scheme’s objective is to provide a more competitive customs regime thereby encouraging exports, economic growth and employment.

What benefits are provided?

Tradex provides relief to exporting companies via an up-front exemption from Customs duty and GST on imported goods intended for re-export or to be used as inputs to exports. The Scheme removes the need to ‘drawback’ these charges after export.

The Duty Drawback facility, administered by the Australian Customs Service (ACS), remains available for instances where, at the time of import, it is not known whether the goods are to be re-exported or used as inputs to exports.

Tradex replaces and improves on the Tariff Export Concession (TEXCO) Scheme and removes the TEXCO requirement that goods must undergo ‘industrial processing’ as a condition of eligibility.

Who and what goods are eligible?

Eligibility for entry into the Scheme extends to persons or organisations who intend to import goods, whether these are to undergo industrial processing or not, and which either:

In respect of these goods, they will be:

Holders of a Tradex Order can import only those goods nominated in the application and subsequent Order, if approved. Certain goods such as those intended for sale in an establishment that offers goods for sale free of duties, customs and other taxes, and goods which, if produced in Australia, would be subject to excise duties or another tax are NOT eligible.

Scheme-specific eligibilitycriteria/customer obligations

Customers are required to complete an application form for entrance into the Scheme. Upon approval, customers are required, for compliance purposes, to engage in active self-assessment, including the keeping of appropriate records.  Appropriate record keeping by customers is an essential requirement of holding a Tradex Order. Your records must be kept in Australia for a period of five years and they must contain full particulars of the nominated goods in respect of:

The source records of a third party may be required for verification if they are the ultimate exporters.  Notification must be provided if the nominated goods are diverted into home consumption or not exported within the approved period, and the appropriate amount of Tradex duty payable repaid voluntarily within 28 days. You may also be liable for any outstanding GST, which is payable within the normal settlement period.Tradex customers may be subject to compliance checks. Suspension from the Scheme and a penalty regime could be a consequence of misuse.

Full details of customer obligations are available from Pattens Group Pty Ltd on request.

Who decides if you are eligible?

Assessment of applications for acceptance into the Tradex Scheme will be made by the appropriate government representative.

Assessment Criteria

Our client service representative will check that:

Assessment Criteria

Our client service representative will check that:

When can an application be made?

At any time prior to the importation of the goods. It is not necessary to apply for a Tradex Order for each shipment of goods.

What is the turnaround time on applications?

The less complex applications can be assessed and approved within a matter of days in most instances however, the government has committed that it will not take longer than 40 days to obtain a decision.