Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905

No. 16, 1905

Compilation No. 15

Compilation date: 14 October 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 39, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 October 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part I—Preliminary 1

1 Short title and commencement 1

1A General administration of Act in relation to imports 1

2 Incorporation 1

3 Interpretation 1

4 Application of trade description 2

Part II—Inspection of imports and exports 4

5 Inspection of imports and exports 4

6 Notice of intention to export 5

Part III—Imports 6

7 Prohibition of imports not bearing prescribed trade description 6

8 Imported goods found in Australia without prescribed trade description 7

9 Importation of falsely marked goods 7

9A Imported goods found in Australia with false trade description 7

10 Forfeiture of falsely marked goods 7

10AA Country of origin representations do not contravene certain provisions 8

Part IV—Exports 9

10A Application of Part 9

11 Prohibition of exports not bearing the prescribed trade description 9

12 Penalty for applying false trade description to exports 10

13 Exportation of falsely marked goods 10

14 Marking of goods for export 11

Part V—Miscellaneous 12

15 Review of decisions 12

16 Trade description disclosing trade secrets 12

17 Regulations 12

Endnotes 13

Endnote 1—About the endnotes 13

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 15

Endnote 3—Legislation history 16

Endnote 4—Amendment history 19

An Act relating to Commerce with other Countries

 I Preliminary
1 Short title and commencement

This Act may be cited as the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905 and shall commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation not being earlier than six months after the passing of this Act.
1A General administration of Act in relation to imports

The Comptroller-General of Customs has the general administration of this Act in so far as it relates to imports.
2 Incorporation

This Act shall be incorporated and read as one with the Customs Act 1901.

Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to this Act in the way described in section 5AA of the Customs Act 1901.
3 Interpretation

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

Comptroller-General of Customs means the person who is the Comptroller-General of Customs in accordance with subsection 11(3) or 14(2) of the Australian Border Force Act 2015.

Officer means an officer of Customs.

Trade description means any description, statement, indication, or suggestion, direct or indirect: as to the nature, number, quantity, quality, purity, class, grade, measure, gauge, size, or weight of the goods; or as to the country or place in or at which the goods were made or produced; or as to the manufacturer or producer of the goods or the person by whom they were selected, packed, or in any way prepared for the market; or as to the mode of manufacturing, producing, selecting, packing, or otherwise preparing the goods; or as to the material or ingredients of which the goods are composed, or from which they are derived; or as to the goods being the subject of an existing patent, privilege, or copyright;

 a

as to the nature, number, quantity, quality, purity, class, grade, measure, gauge, size, or weight of the goods; or

 b

as to the country or place in or at which the goods were made or produced; or

 c

as to the manufacturer or producer of the goods or the person by whom they were selected, packed, or in any way prepared for the market; or

 d

as to the mode of manufacturing, producing, selecting, packing, or otherwise preparing the goods; or

 e

as to the material or ingredients of which the goods are composed, or from which they are derived; or

 f

as to the goods being the subject of an existing patent, privilege, or copyright;

and includes an import entry relating to goods; and any mark which according to the custom of the trade or common repute is commonly taken to be an indication of any of the above matters shall be deemed to be a trade description within the meaning of this Act.

False trade description means a trade description which, by reason of anything contained therein or omitted therefrom, is false or likely to mislead in a material respect as regards the goods to which it is applied, and includes every alteration of a trade description, whether by way of addition, effacement, or otherwise, which makes the description false or likely to mislead in a material respect.
4 Application of trade description 1

A false trade description shall be deemed to be applied to goods if:

 a

it is applied to the goods themselves; or

 b

it is applied to any covering, label, reel, or thing used in connexion with the goods; or

 c

it is used in any manner likely to lead to the belief that it describes or designates the goods.

 1A

A trade description which is required by the regulations to be applied to any goods shall be deemed to be applied to the goods if:

 a

it is applied to the goods themselves; or

 b

it is used in relation to the goods in the manner prescribed.

 2

(2) Covering includes any stopper, glass, bottle, vessel, box, capsule, case, frame, or wrapper; and label includes any band or ticket.
II Inspection of imports and exports
5 Inspection of imports and exports 1

An officer may inspect and examine goods that are, or that the officer reasonably believes are, goods prescribed by the regulations which are imported, or which are entered for export or brought for export to any wharf or place or are in course of manufacture or preparation for export.

 2

The officer may where practicable take samples of any goods inspected by him or her pursuant to this section, and the samples so taken shall be dealt with as prescribed.

 3

For the purposes of this section an officer may enter any ship, wharf or place, and may open any packages, and may do all things necessary to enable him or her to carry out his or her powers and duties under this section.

 4

The Comptroller-General of Customs may, by writing, give directions concerning:

 a

the circumstances in which the powers under this section may be exercised; and

 b

the officers of Customs who are entitled to exercise those powers; and

 c

the manner and frequency of reporting to the Comptroller-General of Customs concerning the exercise of those powers.

 5

A direction given for the purposes of subsection (4) is a legislative instrument.
6 Notice of intention to export 1

Every person who intends to export any goods of a kind or class required under this Act to be inspected or examined by an officer, shall, if required to do so by regulation, before the goods are shipped, give notice, in accordance with the regulations, to an officer of his or her intention to export the goods and of the place where the goods may be inspected.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

 2

For the purposes of an offence against subsection (1), strict liability applies to the physical element of circumstance of the offence, that the notice required to be given is notice in accordance with the regulations.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
III Imports
7 Prohibition of imports not bearing prescribed trade description 1

The regulations may prohibit the importation or introduction into Australia of any goods unless there is applied to them a trade description of such character, relating to such matters, and applied in such manner, as is prescribed.

 2

Subject to subsection (3), goods imported in contravention of any regulation made for the purposes of subsection (1) are forfeited to the Crown.

 3

If the Comptroller-General of Customs is satisfied that the contravention was not intentional or reckless:

 a

the Comptroller-General of Customs may, by notice in writing given to the owner or importer of the goods concerned, require the owner or importer:

 i

to apply the prescribed trade description; or

 ii

to export the goods;

within a period specified in the notice; and

 b

if the owner or importer complies with the notice, subsection (2) does not apply in respect of the goods.

 3A

(3A) Despite subsection 14(2) of the Legislation Act 2003, regulations made for the purposes of this section may make provision in relation to a matter by applying, adopting or incorporating, with or without modification, any matter contained in an information standard as in force or existing from time to time.

 3B

(3B) For the purposes of subsection (3A), an information standard is an information standard made under section 134, or declared under section 135, of Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

 4

(4) No regulations made for the purposes of this section shall take effect until after the expiration of not less than three months from notification in the Gazette.
8 Imported goods found in Australia without prescribed trade description

All imported goods to which a trade description is by the regulations required to be applied, and which are found in Australia without the prescribed trade description, shall until the contrary is proved be deemed, subject to the regulations, to have been imported in contravention of the regulations.
9 Importation of falsely marked goods 1

A person shall not import any goods to which a false trade description is applied.

Penalty: 100 penalty units.

 2

In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) it is a defence if the defendant proves that he or she did not intentionally import the goods in contravention of that subsection.

Note: For rules about representations as to the country of origin of goods, see section 10AA.
9A Imported goods found in Australia with false trade description

All imported goods found in Australia which bear a false trade description shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been imported in contravention of this Act.

Note: For rules about representations as to the country of origin of goods, see section 10AA.
10 Forfeiture of falsely marked goods 1

Goods to which a false trade description is applied are prohibited to be imported.

Note: For rules about representations as to the country of origin of goods, see section 10AA.

 2

Subject to subsection (3), goods imported in contravention of subsection (1) are forfeited to the Crown.

 3

If the Comptroller-General of Customs is satisfied that the contravention was not intentional or reckless:

 a

the Comptroller-General of Customs may, by notice in writing given to the owner or importer of the goods concerned, require the owner or importer to correct the false trade description within a period specified in the notice; and

 b

if the owner or importer complies with the notice, subsection (2) does not apply in respect of the goods.
10AA Country of origin representations do not contravene certain provisions 1

For the purposes of sections 9, 9A and 10, goods:

 a

do not have a false trade description applied to them; and

 b

do not bear a false trade description;

only by the making of a representation of a kind referred to in an item in the first column of the table in subsection 255(1) of Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, if the requirements of the corresponding item in the second column are met.

 2

(2) Subsections 255(2), (5), (7), (8) and (9) of Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 apply in relation to subsection (1) of this section in a way corresponding to the way in which they apply in relation to subsection 255(1) of that Schedule.

 3

(3) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection 255(3) of Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 apply in relation to subsection 255(2) of that Schedule (as applied by subsection (2) of this section) in a way corresponding to the way in which they apply in relation to subsection 255(2) of that Schedule.
IV Exports
10A Application of Part

This Part does not apply in relation to goods that are prescribed goods within the meaning of the Export Control Act 2020.
11 Prohibition of exports not bearing the prescribed trade description 1

The regulations may prohibit the exportation of any goods, unless there is applied to them a trade description of such character, relating to such matters, and applied in such manner, as is prescribed.

 2

Subject to subsection (3), goods to which the prescribed trade description has not been applied that are entered for export, put on board any ship for export or brought to any wharf or place for export, are forfeited to the Crown.

 3

If the Comptroller-General of Customs is satisfied that the entry for export, putting on board a ship for export, or bringing to a wharf or place for export, of goods to which the prescribed trade description had not been applied was not intentional or reckless:

 a

the Comptroller-General of Customs may, by notice in writing given to the owner or exporter of the goods concerned, require the owner or exporter:

 i

to apply the prescribed trade description to the goods before the exportation of the goods and within a period specified in the notice; or

 ii

to withdraw that entry, to remove the goods from that ship, or to remove the goods from that wharf or place, as the case requires, within the period so specified; and

 b

if the owner or exporter complies with the notice, subsection (2) does not apply in respect of the goods.
12 Penalty for applying false trade description to exports 1

No person shall:

 a

intentionally apply any false trade description to any goods intended or entered for export or put on any ship or boat for export, or brought to any wharf or place for the purpose of export; or

 b

intentionally export or enter for export or put on any ship or boat for export any goods to which a false trade description is applied.

 2

A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units.
13 Exportation of falsely marked goods 1

Goods to which any false trade description is applied are prohibited to be exported.

 2

Subject to subsection (3), goods to which a false trade description has been applied that are entered for export, put on board any ship for export or brought to any wharf or place for export, are forfeited to the Crown.

 3

If the Comptroller-General of Customs is satisfied that entry for export, putting on board a ship for export or bringing to a wharf or place for export, of goods to which a false trade description has been applied was not intentional or reckless:

 a

the Comptroller-General of Customs may, by notice in writing given to the owner or exporter of the goods concerned, require the owner or exporter:

 i

to correct the false trade description before the exportation of those goods and within a period specified in the notice; or

 ii

to withdraw that entry, to remove the goods from that ship, or to remove the goods from that wharf or place, as the case requires, within the period so specified; and

 b

if the owner or exporter complies with the notice, subsection (2) does not apply in respect of the goods.
14 Marking of goods for export

Any goods intended for export which have been inspected in pursuance of this Act may in manner prescribed be marked with the prescribed trade description.
V Miscellaneous
15 Review of decisions 1

Applications can be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of decisions of the Comptroller-General of Customs under subsection 7(3), 10(3), 11(3) or 13(3).

 2

In this section:

decision has the same meaning as in the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024.
16 Trade description disclosing trade secrets

The regulations under sections seven and eleven of this Act shall not prescribe a trade description which discloses trade secrets of manufacture or preparation, unless in the opinion of the Minister the disclosure is necessary for the protection of the health or welfare of the public.
17 Regulations 1

The Governor-General may make regulations not inconsistent with this Act prescribing all matters and things required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or which are necessary and convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act, and particularly for the analysis of samples taken under this Act, and the extent to which certificates of analysis shall be prima facie evidence in proceedings under this Act of the facts therein stated.

 2

Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may prescribe penalties, not exceeding 50 penalty units, for offences against the regulations.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key— E ndnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history— E ndnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under Legislation Act 2003.section 15V of the

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted o = order(s)
am = amended Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment orig = original
c = clause(s) par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x /sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s) pres = present
def = definition(s) prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary (prev…) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s) r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have renum = renumbered
effect rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003 Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s) commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act Number and year Assent Commencement Application, saving and transitional provisions
Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905 16, 1905 8 Dec 1905 8 June 1906 (s 1 and gaz 1906, p 131)
Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1926 37, 1926 11 Aug 1926 11 Aug 1926 —
Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1930 15, 1930 18 July 1930 18 July 1930 —
Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1933 13, 1933 24 July 1933 24 July 1933 —
Statute Law Revision Act 1950 80, 1950 16 Dec 1950 s 16, 17 and First Sch: 31 Dec 1950 (s 2) s 16 and 17
Statute Law Revision (Decimal Currency) Act 1966 93, 1966 29 Oct 1966 First Sch: 1 Dec 1966 (s 2(1)) —
Statute Law Revision Act 1973 216, 1973 19 Dec 1973 s 9(1), 10 and Sch 1: 31 Dec 1973 (s 2) s 9(1) and 10
Statute Law Revision Act 1981 61, 1981 12 June 1981 s 23: 12 June 1981 (s 2(1)) s 23(2)
Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Amendment Act 1981 151, 1981 26 Oct 1981 26 Oct 1981 (s 2) —
Export Control (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1982 48, 1982 9 June 1982 s 12–18: 1 Jan 1983 (s 2) —
Customs Administration (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1985 39, 1985 29 May 1985 s 4 and Sch: 10 June 1985 (s 2) s 4
Customs Administration (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1986 10, 1986 13 May 1986 s 4 and Sch: 13 May 1986 (s 2(1)) s 4
Industry, Technology and Commerce Legislation Amendment Act 1992 168, 1992 11 Dec 1992 s 11–13: 11 Dec 1992 (s 2(1)) —
Customs, Excise and Bounty Legislation Amendment Act 1995 85, 1995 1 July 1995 s 18, 20, Sch 3 and Sch 9 (items 48–50): 1 July 1995 (s 2(1), (5)) s 18 and 20
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 24, 2001 6 Apr 2001 s 4(1), (2) and Sch 7: 24 May 2001 (s 2(1)(a)) s 4(1) and (2)
Statute Law Revision Act 2008 73, 2008 3 July 2008 Sch 4 (items 160–164): 4 July 2008 (s 2(1) item 64) —
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) Act 2015 10, 2015 5 Mar 2015 Sch 3 (items 67, 348, 349): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 3 (items 348, 349)
Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Border Force) Act 2015 41, 2015 20 May 2015 Sch 2 (items 2, 3, 8), Sch 5 (items 24–26), Sch 6 (items 18–22) and Sch 9: 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) items 2, 7) Sch 2 (item 8), Sch 5 (item 26), Sch 6 (item 22) and Sch 9
as amended by
Australian Border Force Amendment (Protected Information) Act 2017 115, 2017 30 Oct 2017 Sch 1 (item 26): 1 July 2015 (s 2(1) item 3) —
Statute Update Act 2016 61, 2016 23 Sept 2016 Sch 1 (items 95–97): 21 Oct 2016 (s 2(1) item 1) —
Customs and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 19, 2017 4 Apr 2017 Sch 7 (items 1–5): 5 Apr 2017 (s 2(1) item 4) Sch 7 (item 5)
Statute Update (Winter 2017) Act 2017 93, 2017 23 Aug 2017 Sch 1 (item 6): 20 Sept 2017 (s 2(1) item 2) —
Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Amendment Act 2018 60, 2018 29 June 2018 Sch 1: 30 June 2018 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 2: 29 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) item 3) Sch 1 (item 5)
Export Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2020 13, 2020 6 Mar 2020 Sch 2 (item 7) and Sch 3 (items 1–91): 3 am (A.C.T.) 28 Mar 2021 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 3 (items 1–91)
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Act 2024 39, 2024 31 May 2024 Sch 10 (items 12–14): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) —

Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
Part I
Part I heading ad No 216, 1973
Heading preceding s 1 rep No 216, 1973
s 1A ad No 39, 1985
am No 85, 1995; No 41, 2015
s 2 am No 24, 2001
s 3 am No 15, 1930; No 13, 1933; No 80, 1950; No 216, 1973; No 48, 1982; No 85, 1995; No 41, 2015
s 4 am No 15, 1930
Part II
Part II heading ad No 216, 1973
Heading preceding s 5 rep No 216, 1973
s 5 am No 15, 1930; No 85, 1995; No 73, 2008; No 10, 2015; No 41, 2015; No 19, 2017
s 6 am No 15, 1930; No 13, 1933; No 80, 1950; No 93, 1966; No 216, 1973; No 48, 1982; No 168, 1992; No 24, 2001; No 73, 2008; No 41, 2015; No 61, 2016
Part III
Part III heading ad No 216, 1973
Heading preceding s 7 rep No 216, 1973
s 7 am No 15, 1930; No 216, 1973; No 10, 1986; No 85, 1995; No 41, 2015; No 60, 2018
s 8 am No 15, 1930
s 9 am No 93, 1966
rs No 216, 1973
am No 168, 1992; No 24, 2001; No 73, 2008; No 61, 2016; No 60, 2018
s 9A ad No 15, 1930
am No 60, 2018
s 10 am No 216, 1973; No 10, 1986; No 85, 1995
rs No 85, 1995
am No 41, 2015; No 60, 2018
s 10AA ad No 60, 2018
Part IV
Part IV heading ad No 216, 1973
s 10A ad No 48, 1982
am No 13, 2020
Heading preceding s 11 rep No 216, 1973
s 11 am No 15, 1930; No 13, 1933; No 80, 1950; No 216, 1973; No 48, 1982; No 85, 1995; No 41, 2015
s 12 am No 93, 1966; No 151, 1981; No 48, 1982; No 168, 1992; No 24, 2001; No 61, 2016; No 93, 2017
s 13 am No 15, 1930; No 13, 1933; No 80, 1950; No 216, 1973; No 48, 1982; No 85, 1995
rs No 85, 1995
am No 41, 2015
Part V
Part V heading ad No 216, 1973
s 15 am No 37, 1926
rep No 15, 1930
ad No 61, 1981
am No 48, 1982; No 10, 1986; No 85, 1995
rs No 85, 1995
am No 41, 2015; No 39, 2024
s 16 am No 19, 2017
Heading preceding s 17 rep No 216, 1973
s 17 am No 19, 2017
ed C10
s 18 rep No 80, 1950