Customs Amendment (Banning Goods Produced By Forced Labour) 2021 [No. 2

# Customs Amendment (Banning Goods Produced By Forced Labour) Bill 2021 ## What it does Australia would ban imports of any goods made using forced labour. Customs officials would be able to stop these items at the border and prevent them from entering the country. The ban covers anything made "in whole or in part" through forced labour, meaning even partially made with forced labour would be blocked. ## Why it matters Millions of people globally are trapped in forced labour situations, often making cheap goods that end up in Australian shops. This law would prevent Australian consumers from unknowingly buying products tied to human trafficking and exploitation, and put pressure on international supply chains to clean up their practices. ## Key details - **When it starts**: The day after it gets Royal Assent (becomes law). It applies to goods arriving from that date onwards. - **What counts as forced labour**: The law uses the Criminal Code's definition, which covers situations where people are forced to work against their will through threats or coercion. - **How it works**: Customs officers can refuse to let goods through if they're produced by forced labour—there's no special exemption or appeal process built into this amendment (that would be handled elsewhere in customs law).

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament