In recent Updates and e-alerts, we have referred to the actions
by the Minister for Home Affairs and the Australian Customs and
Border Protection Service ("Customs") in
response to perceived problems with crime, corruption and security
at ports and airports and within the private supply chain.
The response has included the adoption of "Integrity
Testing" for various Commonwealth officials and employees,
increased Customs intervention and additional conditions being
imposed in the licences to be issued shortly to licensed customs
brokers.
Customs has now turned its attention to those operating licensed
depots and warehouses (including duty free premises). To this
effect, Customs issued Australian Customs and Border Protection
Notice No. 2012/35 ("Notice") yesterday
afternoon which sets out new conditions to be imposed upon such
licence holders. The ability to impose such new conditions was
flagged by amendments to the Customs Act 1901
("Act") last year which
