PCE Gas Licence required for Personal Import Cars from the 1st of August 2010
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act) controls the manufacture, import and export of a range of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) in Australia. The Act stipulates that a pre-charged equipment licence is required to import into Australia refrigeration and/or air conditioning equipment that contains a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant unless the equipment being imported is covered by paragraph 68(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1901.
Paragraph 68(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1901 covers goods that are accompanied or unaccompanied personal or household effects of a passenger, or a member of a crew, of a ship or aircraft. Personal or household effects DO NOT include motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, commercial goods and bequeathed items or items that have been purchased over the internet.
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has aligned its policy with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and from 1 August 2010, all vehicles currently being imported as ‘personal effect’ will require a pre-charged equipment licence.
Further information specifying the legislative requirements for importing any equipment that may be charged with refrigerant gas will be posted on the Department’s website soon. For information on how to apply to a PCE licence go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/publications/pre-charged.html
More information about Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPEs) can be found on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5889.asp
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Ozone and Synthetic Gas Team on ozone@environment.gov.au