Customs Act 1901

The master of a ship or the pilot of an aircraft must not depart with the ship or aircraft from any port, airport or other place in Australia without receiving from the Collector a Certificate of Clearance in respect of the ship or aircraft.

An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

A Certificate of Clearance in respect of a ship or aircraft may only be granted on application under subsection (2) or (5).

The master of a ship or the pilot of an aircraft may apply to the Collector for a Certificate of Clearance in respect of the ship or aircraft.

See subsection (8) for application requirements.

Section 118A sets out the requirements for granting a Certificate of Clearance in respect of certain ships or aircraft.

The master and the owner of a ship, or the pilot and the owner of an aircraft, that is at a port, airport or other place in Australia must:

severally answer questions asked by an officer relating to the ship or aircraft and its cargo, stores and voyage; and

severally produce documents requested by an officer that relate to the ship or aircraft and its cargo; and

comply with such requirements (if any) as are prescribed by the regulations.

If a Certificate of Clearance has not been given to the master of a ship or the pilot of an aircraft within 24 hours after an application is made by the master or pilot under subsection (2), the master or pilot may apply to the Comptroller‑General of Customs for a Certificate of Clearance. The decision of the Comptroller‑General of Customs on the application is final.

See subsection (8) for application requirements.

Section 118A sets out the requirements for granting a Certificate of Clearance in respect of certain ships or aircraft.

If, after an application to the Comptroller‑General of Customs for a Certificate of Clearance is made under subsection (5), the Comptroller‑General of Customs does not grant, or delays granting, the Certificate of Clearance, the owner of the ship or aircraft is entitled, in a court of competent jurisdiction, to recover damages against the Commonwealth in respect of the failure to grant, or the delay in granting, the Certificate, if the court is satisfied that the failure or delay was without reasonable and probable cause.

Except as provided in subsection (6), an action or other proceeding cannot be brought against the Commonwealth, or an officer of the Commonwealth, because of the failure to grant, or because of a delay in granting, a Certificate of Clearance.

An application under subsection (2) or (5) must:

be in writing; and

be in an approved form; and

contain such information as the form requires; and

be signed in the manner indicated in the form.

The Comptroller‑General of Customs may approve different forms for applications to be made under subsection (2) or (5) in different circumstances, by different kinds of masters of ships or pilots of aircraft or in respect of different kinds of ships or aircraft.