Start of full compliance - 1st January 2018

The Australian Government has announced here the end of the "soft start" compliance period. This means that from 1st January 2018 the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has the option of fining importers that aren’t complying with the due diligence requirements in the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulations.

The size of any potential fines increased earlier this year. For not complying with the due diligence requirements an importer can be fined AUD$63,000 for each breach. Penalties for negligently importing regulated timber products that have been illegally logged are up to five years imprisonment and/or up to AUD$105,000 fine for an individual, and AUD$525,000 for a corporation.