PROTECTED
Baggage
examination at the
border (s186
Customs Act)
Procedural Instruction
This procedural instruction applies to baggage examinations conducted by Australian Border Force
(ABF) officers at the border.
Approval Date
21 May 2018
Date of Review
21 May 2019
Contact
s. 47E(d)
Document ID (PPN)
BC-699
TRIM Reference
OPD2017/201124
PROTECTED
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
PROTECTED
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
4.11. Copying of documents during a baggage examination
Section 186A of the Customs Act, provides ABF officers with the power to copy documents found during an
examination of goods subject to Customs control in certain circumstances.
A ‘document’ is defined in section 4 of the Customs Act and includes but is not restricted to mobile and other
phones, sim cards for such phones, all forms of personal electronic recording apparatus, computers of all
kinds, as well as written material and photographic images.
To copy a document, the ABF officer must be satisfied that the document, or part of it, may contain
information relevant to:
an importation or exportation, or a proposed importation or exportation, of prohibited goods; or
the commission or attempted commission of any other offence against the Customs Act or any
offence against a prescribed Act; or
the performance of functions under section 6 of the Intelligence Services Act 2001; or
the performance of functions under section 17 of the Australian Security Intelligence
Organisation Act; or
security (within the meaning of section 4 of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
Act).
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
Baggage examination at the border (s186 Customs Act)
PROTECTED
Page
15 of
27
PROTECTED
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
Baggage examination at the border (s186 Customs Act)
PROTECTED
Page
16 of
27
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
PROTECTED
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii), s. 47E(d)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
Baggage examination at the border (s186 Customs Act)
PROTECTED
Page
20 of
27
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
s. 22(1)(a)(ii)
