Unilateral measures relating to the covid-19 pandemic:
extension of measures to facilitate the importation
of vital medical supplies

Communication from AustrALia

Addendum

The following communication, dated 16 September 2021, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Australia.

_______________

1.  Australia wishes to notify World Trade Organization Members of a further extension of a unilateral trade-facilitative measure introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. On 1 May 2020, Australia introduced a temporary tariff concession measure to facilitate the importation of certain goods required to manage the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. The measure was first published in Australian Customs Notice Number 2020/20, with refunds available for customs duty paid on prescribed goods imported from 1 February 2020. The measure has been extended on three occasions; and is currently extended through to 30 June 2022.

4. Australian Customs Notice Number 2021/26 provides further details, including the type of products covered by the measure. The notice can be accessed at: https://www.abf.gov.au/help-and-support-subsite/CustomsNotices/2021-26.pdf

5. Australia encourages other Members to adopt similar trade-facilitative measures to support the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.