Last updated February 2024

1. Overview

1.1 By making an application for a Carnet with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ABN 37 650 959 904 (“VCCI, we, us”), You acknowledge and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (Terms), together with our Privacy Policy (https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/legal/privacy-policy).

1.2 If You are an Authorised Third Party who is managing the Carnet on behalf of the Holder, whether that be a company, partnership, unincorporated association or other legal body, You represent and warrant that You have the authority to act on behalf of the Holder.

1.3 Any act of an Authorised Third Party will be deemed to be an act of the Holder.

2. Application

2.1 VCCI is an authorised issuer of Carnets.

2.2 You are responsible for the correct use of the Carnet once VCCI has issued the Carnet to You. This includes special conditions or regulations that may apply in other countries or territories.

2.3 VCCI will not be liable for Taxes and Duties caused by any process of disputes with foreign and/or Australian Customs authorities if You fail to take notice of the exportation and re-importation procedures and incur liabilities.

2.4 You must submit the Carnet application to VCCI and obtain the Carnet prior to exportation of the Goods from Australia.

2.5 The value of Goods stated on the Carnet application is the commercial value in Australia (AUD), unless stated differently.

2.6 You agree that all Information provided on the Carnet application is true and correct, including but not limited to, Holder details and Goods details such as weight, value and quantity.

2.7 By submitting the Carnet application, You acknowledge and agree that You intend to re-import all Goods into Australia. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder is at all times responsible for the Goods, including the importation and exportation of the Goods.

2.8 Any items not listed on the Carnet will not be covered by the Carnet.

2.9 Each Carnet may only include entry and/or transit to up to three (3) countries. Additional Carnet Fees apply for additional countries, trips or transit vouchers.

3. Obtaining Your Carnet

3.1 VCCI will endeavour to process the Carnet within three (3) business days from the application submission date, with the exception of Clause 4.2(c). If you require the Carnet earlier, You will be subject to High Priority Fees per Clause 4.1.

3.2 Carnets must be obtained on the Collection Date via either:

        (a) collection from Our office: Level 2, 150 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 between the hours of 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in Melbourne; or

        (b)express pre-paid postage with Australia Post.

3.3 For Carnets obtained by express postage in accordance with Clause 3.2(b), You will be charged the full amount of the Australia Post express postage fee and VCCI will provide You with an Australia Post issued tracking number.

3.4 VCCI is not liable for any issues relating to the postage delivery of the Carnet, including but not limited to, delivery delays, lost and/or undelivered post.

4. Fees

4.1 In consideration of issuing a Carnet, You will pay VCCI a Fee. Our Fees are subject to change without notice.

4.2 In issuing You a Carnet, an Additional Fee may be payable.

4.3 Upon submission of Your Carnet application, VCCI will issue You a Valid Invoice for the Fee.

4.4 VCCI will not release the Carnet to You until payment of a Valid Invoice is received in full.

5. Cancellation

5.1 You may provide a written request to VCCI to cancel a Carnet application.

5.2 Cancellation requests must be made at least one (1) business day prior to the Carnet Collection Date (Cancellation Date).

5.3 Cancellations are not permitted after the Cancellation Date.

5.4 Subject to clause 5.5, Cancellation Fees apply to all cancelled Carnet applications.

5.5 VCCI will waive the Cancellation Fee if the Carnet application is cancelled prior to 5pm on the same day You submitted the Carnet application.

5.6 Where the Fees have already been paid to VCCI and You request to cancel the Carnet application, You will be refunded the total Fee paid minus the applicable Cancellation Fee.

6. Security Options

6.1 You must elect one of the following Security Options for Your Carnet:

        (a) Security Deposit:

                (i) VCCI will collect a Security Deposit of fifty (50) per cent of the total commercial value of the Goods at the time of the Carnet application. The Security Deposit may be another amount at VCCI’s sole discretion as evidenced in writing.

                (ii) VCCI reserves the right to request a copy of Your payment remittance.

                (iii) If the Goods are not re-imported to Australia, for any reason, Your Security Deposit may be used by VCCI to pay any Taxes and Duties.  

                (iv) Your Security Deposit is refundable upon satisfactory evidence that the Goods have been re-imported into Australia within the valid Carnet period.

        (b) Indemnity Premium Scheme:

                (i) VCCI will collect a non-refundable Indemnity Premium Payment based on fifty (50) per cent of the total commercial value of the Goods at the time of Carnet application and the required duration of importation in accordance with VCCI’s applicable insurance requirements. VCCI will notify You of the Indemnity Premium Payment required for the Carnet.  The Indemnity Premium Payment may be another amount at VCCI’s sole discretion as evidenced in writing.  

                (ii) The Indemnity Premium Payment charge will be included on the Valid Invoice.

                (iii) For the avoidance of doubt, the Indemnity Premium Payment does not cover Fees, Cancellation Fees or Taxes and Duties. These will be separately payable to VCCI by You.

6.2 Nothing in Clause 6.1, prevents VCCI from agreeing to alternative forms of security, at VCCI’s sole discretion.

7. Return of Carnet

7.1 The Carnet must be returned to VCCI within thirty (30) days after the expiry date of the Carnet.

7.2 Carnets returned to VCCI will be deemed complete and no longer required by You.

7.3 If the Carnet is not returned to VCCI, VCCI is entitled to hold the Security Deposit until such time that the Carnet is returned with the relevant approvals as evidenced on the counterfoils of the Carnet.

7.4 In the event the Carnet is returned incompletely, You must provide satisfactory evidence of re-importation of Goods into Australia, or evidence that You have paid the relevant Taxes and Duties.

8. Outstanding Taxes and Duties

8.1 Upon re-importation of the Goods to Australia, You may be liable to pay Taxes and Duties.

8.2 If any Goods covered by the Carnet are not re-imported into Australia, You are liable to pay any Taxes and Duties owing to the relevant country and provide Us with satisfactory evidence of payment from the relevant overseas customs authority.

8.3 VCCI reserves the right to contact You regarding outstanding Taxes and Duties.

8.4 You are liable for any regularisation fees incurred in the event of a dispute relating to Carnet documents not being properly validated at the time of entry to or exit from a country.

8.5 VCCI will not be liable for any payments incurred by You relating to the Carnet.

9. Indemnity

9.1 You agree to indemnify VCCI on demand for all direct expenses, costs, damages and losses that are suffered or incurred by VCCI arising directly from Your use of the Carnet and or failure to re-import the Goods.

10. Replacement Carnet

10.1 You must contact VCCI at least six (6) weeks prior to the expiry of the original Carnet if a Replacement Carnet is required.

10.2 VCCI may issue a Replacement Carnet in the event the Goods cannot be re-imported to Australia before the expiry date of the original Carnet.

10.3 A Replacement Carnet is subject to approval from customs in the country of importation.

10.4 VCCI makes no guarantee that the request for a Replacement Carnet will be granted.

10.5 The issuing of a Replacement Carnet will incur a Fee and You are required to elect another Security Option.

11. Duplicate Carnet

11.1 In the event the Carnet is lost, destroyed, misplaced or otherwise unrecoverable while the Goods are overseas, You must notify VCCI immediately.

11.2 A Duplicate Carnet may be issued depending on the country of import.

11.3 A Duplicate Carnet is a re-print of the original Carnet and is not an extension of the Carnet.

11.4 You acknowledge and agree that a request for a Duplicate Carnet means the Goods cannot be amended or otherwise changed. You must apply for a new Carnet if the Goods are amended or changed.

11.5 The issuing a of a Duplicate Carnet will be subject to Fees and Cancellation Fees as outlined in Clause 4.1 and 5.

11.6 You are not required to elect an additional Security Option for a Duplicate Carnet, as the Security Option for the original Carnet remains valid.

12. Authorised Third Party Agents

12.1 An Authorised Third Party Agent may make an application for a Carnet on behalf of the Holder.

12.2 Third Party Agents will be liable to VCCI for any outstanding Taxes and Duties owed to Us by the Holder.

13. Restrictions

13.1 We will not issue Carnets for live-stock exportation.

13.2 Other items that are not eligible for Carnets include:

        (a) items that will not be re-imported to Australia, such as items for sale, brochures or business cards;

        (b) Explosives, disposables, consumables and perishables;

        (c) items to be serviced, upgraded, repaired or maintained; and

        (d) Motor vehicles for personal use.

13.3 If You apply for a Carnet that is for any of the above restrictions in this clause 13, VCCI will reject the Carnet application.

14. General

14.1 VCCI will handle any Personal Information collected in connection with the Carnets in accordance with its Privacy Policy, available at https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/legal/privacy-policy.

14.2 VCCI may vary these Terms from time to time by posting an updated version on the VCCI website or by notifying You, or both. Your continued submission of Carnet applications constitutes Your agreement to these Terms.

14.3 VCCI will not vary these Terms in a manner that applies retrospectively to any existing application that You have made using these Terms prior to Us posting an updated version or notifying You of an updated version, that is detrimental to You, unless We are required to do so to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

14.4 If You have any questions or complaints, please call Our general enquiries line on 03 8662 5333 between 9am to 5pm Monday – Friday (excluding public holidays in Melbourne) or contact us via email, customerservice@victorianchamber.com.au.

14.5 These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria. The parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of courts exercising jurisdiction in the State of Victoria and courts of appeal from them in respect of any proceedings arising out of or in connection with these Terms.

15. Definitions

Additional Fee means any additional Fee that may be applicable to Your Carnet application as outlined in the fee scheduled available at: Apply for a Carnet | Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Authorised Third Party Agent means any third party authorised by the Holder to act as their agent or representative in the Carnet application, including but not limited to, freight forwarders and specialists.

Cancellation Fee means the amount payable to VCCI in the event of a cancellation of the Carnet application, in accordance with the fee schedule available at: Apply for a Carnet | Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Carnet means an international customs and temporary export-import document issued by an authorised body and includes ATA Carnet and TAITRA Carnet.

Collection Date means the date elected by You to collect the Carnet from VCCI’s office or, date of dispatch for express postage.

Duplicate Carnet means a re-printed copy of the original Carnet.  

Fee means the amount payable to VCCI for the Carnet application. VCCI’s current fee schedule available at: Apply for a Carnet | Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Goods means any items listed on the Carnet which are to be temporarily exported from Australia.

High Priority Fee means the Fee charged to You for Carnet applications required earlier than three business days from the date of submission of the Carnet application, as outlined in VCCI’s current fee scheduled available at: Apply for a Carnet | Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Holder means the owner of the Goods described in the Carnet.

Indemnity Premium Payment means the amount payable by You to VCCI as calculated by VCCI’s Insurance Rates.

Information means documents, descriptions and approvals relevant to the Carnet application.  

Replacement Carnet means a new Carnet provided for Goods that have been exported to another country and the applicable Carnet as expired.

Security Deposit means the amount payable by You to VCCI as a deposit for the Carnet, in accordance with Clause 7.1(a).

Security Options means either the Security Deposit or Indemnity Premium Payment.

Taxes and Duties means the relevant customs duties, penalties and/or losses payable on Goods which fail to be re-imported into Australia.

You and Your (and derivatives) means the party applying for the Carnet. This may be the Holder or Authorised Third Party Agent.

Valid Invoice means an invoice which:

        (a) is for Your Carnet application;

        (b) conforms to the requirements for a tax invoice, as that term is defined in the New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth); and

        (c) enables VCCI to claim any applicable GST input credits in relation to the issuing of the Carnet.

VCCI, Us, We and Our (and derivatives) means the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.