About the licence
The import, export and manufacture of methyl bromide has been controlled under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act) since 1996.
Persons may apply for a controlled substances licence for the import and/or export of methyl bromide. There is currently no manufacture of methyl bromide in Australia. A non-refundable application fee of $15,000 is payable. The licence sets a limit on the maximum amount of methyl bromide allowed to be imported and/or exported, by type of methyl bromide use (i.e., Quarantine and Pre-Shipment (QPS), non-Quarantine and Pre-Shipment (non-QPS), or feedstock).
The application must be accompanied by the correct application fee. The licence application fee is non-refundable.
There is no provision in the Act to refund the licence application fee. Please note: this includes situations where an applicant has lodged a licence application and then no longer requires a licence.
In deciding on an application, the Minister or delegate will consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person. Section 16 of the Act lists matters which the Minister must consider in making this decision.
A controlled substances licence comes into force on the date specified on the licence instrument and stays in force until the end of the licence period in which it is granted, unless otherwise notified by the Department. Licence periods run for two calendar years commencing on 1 January in even numbered years and ending on 31 December in odd numbered years. For example, 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019.
Reporting requirements
Holders of a controlled substances licence must provide twice yearly reports that include:
- the purity* and quantity of methyl bromide imported, including country of origin, and
- the purity* and quantity of methyl bromide exported, including country of destination
* the percentage of methyl bromide in a container when it contains other chemicals.
If no imports or exports were made during a reporting period, a report is not required.
An import levy is also payable at the end of each reporting period, based on the quantity of methyl bromide imported during that quarter. This import levy is currently set at $135 per metric tonne of methyl bromide. There is no levy on the export of methyl bromide.
Note: For reporting periods after 1 January 2018, if the total of the import levies payable by a licensee for a reporting period is less than or equal to $330, the levy will be waived. This amount is specified in the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 (the Regulations) and may change in the future. Any changes to this threshold will be amended in the Regulations and notified on the Department’s website.
Licensees need to pay levies by the 60th day following the end of the reporting period.
Reports may be lodged at any time before 11.59 pm on the 14th day following the end of each reporting period (including at any time during the relevant reporting period).
| Reporting Period | Reports Due | Levy payment due by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January – 30 June | 14 July | 29 August |
| 1 July – 31 December | 14 January | 1 March* |
NOTE: if the last day of the reporting period falls on a weekend or public holiday, the report is due by 11.59 pm on the next business/working day.
The Department cross-checks information provided on quarterly reports with data provided by Australian Border Force. Inaccurate reporting and late submissions are offences under the Act.
Feedstock permit application form
Feedstock is defined in the Act as 'an intermediate substance which is used to manufacture other chemicals'.
Anyone wishing to apply for a permit to use methyl bromide as a feedstock in the manufacture of other chemicals should read: Feedstock use of methyl bromide.