Why is there a levy/export charge on persimmons?
The Australian Government introduces levies and export charges at the request of industry. These levies variously fund research and development, marketing, residue testing, plant and animal biosecurity programs and emergency responses for industry.
The persimmons levy and export charge funds Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIAL) persimmons research and development (R&D) and marketing. To find out more, visit Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
What is the levy/export charge payable on?
Levy is payable on persimmons produced in Australia where the producer either sells the product or uses it in the production of other goods.
Export charge is payable on persimmons produced in and exported from Australia. No export charge is payable if domestic levy has already been paid on the product to be exported.
Who pays the levy/export charge? Who submits returns?
The producer (the person who owns the persimmons immediately after harvest) is liable to pay the levy. If the producer sells the persimmons other than by retail sale—for example, to restaurants or wholesale markets—the producer must pay levy quarterly and submit all return forms to the Department of Agriculture - Levies.
If the producer sells their produce through an intermediary, such as a first purchaser, buying agent, selling agent or merchant, the intermediary must pay levy and submit all return forms on behalf of the producer. The intermediary can recover from the producer the amount of levy paid, by offset or otherwise.
If the producer sells persimmons by retail sale—for example, direct to the consumer at roadside stalls or through shed or farm gate sales—they must pay levy and submit all return forms directly to the Department of Agriculture - Levies.
The producer—that is, the person who owns the product at the time of export from Australia—is liable to pay the export charge and submit return forms to the Department of Agriculture - Levies.
If the producer exports the product through an exporting agent, the agent must pay the charge and submit all return forms to the Department of Agriculture - Levies on behalf of the producer. The agent can recover from the producer the amount of charge paid from the producer (the owner of the product at the time of export).
Download a return form or contact your Department of Agriculture - Levies state office.
What is the levy/export charge rate on persimmons?
Persimmons: 6.25 cents per kilogram.
Rates are current from 1 October 2013.
Australian Government levies exclude GST.
Are there any exemptions from this levy/export charge?
Levy is not payable if a producer sells persimmons by retail sale—that is, direct to the consumer through roadside stalls or shed or farm gate sales—and sells less than 1600 kilograms ($100 levy equivalent) in a levy year*.
When is the payment due?
Quarterly returns
The return together with payment must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture - Levies within 28 days of the end of the quarters of March, June, September and December. For example, the return and payment for the quarter ending 30 September—that is, for the months of July, August and September—are due on or before 28 October.
Annual returns
Producers who sell persimmons by retail sale in a levy (financial) year must submit annual returns.
The return together with payment must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture - Levies on or before 28 August in the next levy (financial) year. For example, the return and payment for the 2012-13 levy (financial) year* are due on or before 28 August 2013.
Please contact your Department of Agriculture - Levies state office for more information on whether you qualify to submit returns annually.
General information and definitions
The levy/export charge rates are calculated per kilogram.
A 'retail sale' is a sale by the producer of the persimmons direct to the consumer—that is, at a roadside stall or by shed or farm gate sale—and not to a first purchaser, through an agent or at a wholesale produce market.
A levy year is a financial year—that is, 1 July to 30 June.
What legislation covers this levy/export charge?
A legislative framework of imposition, collection and disbursement legislation authorises and supports Australia’s primary industries levies system. These are the relevant Acts:
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999
Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991
Please note that, under section 27 of the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991, an authorised Department of Agriculture officer can release the names and addresses of levy payers to industry bodies and levy recipient organisations.
Download the legislation from ComLaw or call CanPrint Information Services on 02 6293 8383 to purchase a copy.
This information sheet is a guide only and does not substitute for the relevant legislation.