Australian Customs: A Leader in Combating Counterfeit & Transnational Crime

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has taken a leading role in combating counterfeit goods and transnational crime, serving as the primary agency responsible for enforcing customs and trade laws. Through various initiatives, ABF aims to prevent counterfeit goods and facilitate legitimate trade, with a focus on transparency and accountability. The agency has established an informative website, launched an online portal for customs declarations, and ran public awareness campaigns to educate the public about counterfeit risks and customs compliance.

ABF has strengthened international cooperation by collaborating with neighboring countries like New Zealand and participating in global workshops organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Recent legal reforms, such as the Customs Amendment (Counterfeit Goods) Act, have enhanced ABF’s capacity to tackle transnational crime. Additionally, ABF has embraced sustainable development practices, implementing paperless systems and renewable energy projects. To improve trade facilitation, ABF has introduced a risk-based approach to clearance and a blockchain-based system to track the origin of goods. ABF’s efforts to combat counterfeit goods have resulted in substantial seizures, contributing to a safer global trade environment.