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 This is the notice that Customs
expected you to know about.
 The minister for Customs is quoted as stating the “96 hour” rule is, “widely publicised and .. the internet site is regarded as the best way Customs can communicate their requirements” This was questioned by TCP and the notice below that does NOT mention yachts or private/pleasure craft was the response from Customs. Outside of their own web site, this information was not published anywhere that we know of or that Customs itself could report.
 To find this and other ACS notices or ACN’s, you must have web access. Go to their web site at www.customs.gov.au That will open the home page, then on the right hand side of the page you will find a list of “quick links”. Click on the one that says “media room”. At that page you will see a list of about 30 small buttons on the left side of the page, click on the one that says “customs notices”. On this page you can look on the left side again or in the centre of the page to find the phrase, “Australian Customs notices”. Click there. On that page you will find a list of years. This particular ACN was issued in 2005 so click on that year. Now you will find a list of all notices issued in that year. The one relevant to this report is 2005/31 which, for your convenience is duplicated below. ACN 2005/47 mentioned in the customs response is also interesting reading and can be found on the customs web site. This is as of 27 July 07 but is subject to change at any time.
 AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS NOTICE NO. 2005/31
Commencement of 96 hour Pre-Arrival Reporting

On 26 April 2005 Customs advised industry that from July 2005 vessel pre-arrival and passenger and crew reporting would be required 96 hours in advance of a vessel's arrival. It was also the intention that shorter periods would be prescribed depending on the length of the voyage.
Since the date of that advice the Minister for Justice and Customs has agreed with industry to seek a longer transitional period for the purposes of the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). The cut-over to the ICS is now planned to be 12 October.
In examining the legislative implications of this transitional period it is now apparent that requiring 96 hour pre-arrival reporting from July 2005 would need a series of amendments to be made to the Customs Regulations. In view of this Customs believes that matters will be simplified for industry if 96 hour pre-arrival reporting becomes effective from 12 October 2005.
A fact sheet on the ICS transitional arrangements is available at www.customs.gov.au, following the links to the CMR pages.
Customs is examining the forms currently used to supply vessel and crew pre-arrival information. Some rationalisation is necessary to ensure Customs continues to receive reports, on vessels in particular, required by it and other Government Departments. You will appreciate that information required on a vessel (such as ISPS and levy information) is substantially different from the information being collected through the (ICS) Sea Impending Arrival Report and the (ICS) Sea Actual Arrival Report. A further Australian Customs Notice will be issued giving details of a national simplified requirement. Until then the current Impending Arrival Report must still be lodged.
It is important to note that the Sea Impending Arrival report cannot be lodged in the ICS any earlier than 10 days before the expected arrival of the vessel.
For those companies reporting the Sea Actual Arrival Report on or after the cut-over date, the current arrival report, Form 5 Part One, will no longer be required to be lodged manually. From 12 October the manual lodgement of this form will cease.
The contact for these matters is Manager, Enforcement Operations on 02 6245 5431 or jennifer.robinson@customs.gov.au.
Brian Hurrell
National Manager
Enforcement Operations
CANBERRA ACT