Tough new tobacco laws come into effect to combat cigarette smuggling after illegal imports quadrupled in just three years

New laws mean it’s an offence to bring tobacco into Australia without a permit

The law, introduced on July 1, has reclassified tobacco as a ‘prohibited import’

Changes have been introduced to crack down on the illegal tobacco trade

MARK BROOK
2 July 2019
DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

New changes to tobacco laws have come into effect, which mean it is an offence to bring certain products into Australia unless you hold a permit and pay a fee.

Under the tough new changes, which were introduced on July 1, many tobacco products are now deemed ‘prohibited imports’, which require authority to import.

Anyone who imports cigarettes, molasses tobacco, and loose-leaf tobacco people will now have to apply for a permit from the Department of Home Affairs.

Australian Border Force’s Neil Singh told 9News the changes have been introduced to crack down on the illegal tobacco trade, which is a multi-million-dollar business.

‘Everyday amazes you on what people bring through the mail,’ Mr Singh said.

But as the border patrol officer explained, in addition to drugs, weapons and wildlife, there has been a surge in illegal tobacco smuggling in the last three years.

More than 61,000 illegal tobacco products were confiscated three years ago, but in this year alone, close to 270,000 packages have been found – which equates to 400million cigarettes.

It has also been estimated the illegal tobacco trade equates to more than $600million in unpaid tobacco tax.

‘Criminal syndicates are using this, cause with the revenue and the prices of tobacco out there on the streets – obviously people will try any means to bring it through,’ Mr Singh said.

According to the Australian Border Force website, the illicit tobacco trade also ‘undermines public health measures’ and allows inferior products into the market.

Under the new laws, if you are caught travelling with a ‘prohibited import’ without a permit or having paid the fee, the product will be removed and destroyed.

‘You could also face financial penalties through an infringement notice or prosecution for importing a prohibited import,’ the ABF website stated. 

Travellers are still allowed to bring duty-free tobacco, including one unopen packet of up to 25 cigarettes or 25 grams of other tobacco, as well as one open packet.

Despite the massive volume of international mail that comes though Australia’s border patrol facility, Mr Singh said not one item goes unchecked.

‘You want to try and bring it through – we will stop it – we will catch it and you could be prosecuted and face penalties,’ he said.