A tariff concession order (TCO 0315708) covering metal spectacle frames is to be revoked, causing more pain for frame distributors, the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) has warned.
“While this news is not entirely unexpected, it is very frustrating and I feel for frames suppliers that are already facing many rising costs,” ODMA CEO Amanda Trotman said.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) last year revoked the TCO for plastic spectacle frames that had been in place since 2003. This decision was made following an application from a small Australian eyewear manufacturer that, according to ODMA, has a production capacity in the low thousands.
ODMA said the effect of revoking the TCO means the AU$4 billion optical dispensing and eyewear industry, which is estimated to sell more than five million frames each year, is now faced with a 5% tariff on millions of frames imported annually.
“It is ODMA’s view that the reimposition of these tariffs does little to nothing to assist Australian industry and is to the detriment of Australian consumers.”
ODMA said it continues to work on the European Union Free Trade Agreement (EU-FTA) to help ensure this agreement will nullify any tariffs imposed by Border Force.
ODMA said its primary interest regarding a potential EU-FTA concerns the 5% tariff that Australia applies to imports of multiple categories of frames and mountings for spectacles, and complete spectacles such as sunglasses. Most optical frames sold in Australia are imported, with most of these from the EU.
