Customs supports and applies the core policies and principles of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines (CPG) through Customs Chief Executive Instructions. In line with the CPG, Customs makes no distinction between Consultancy services and other services in applying these policies. Customs has a devolved purchasing environment that relies on the concept of 'Simple' and 'Complex' purchasing.

Under $100,000, managers arrange purchases using straightforward processes and benchmarks. However, over $100,000, purchases tend to be more complex and Chief Executive Instructions require that the method of procurement be decided centrally.

Customs Accredited Purchasing Unit (APU) provides direct client area assistance with complex purchasing. The APU ensures that public 'Business Opportunities' are notified on appropriate websites.

The total number of consultants engaged by Customs during 1999-2000 was 52 and the total amount paid was approximately $3.5m. Detailed information regarding consultants engaged is available below:

a) Key Service Standard	b) Performance	c) Method of Measurement
Travellers arriving on an international flight We aim to help you complete initial Customs and Immigration formalities within 30 minutes of arrival at the processing lane.	Target: 95% Actual: 96.9%	Measurement for each passenger from transaction recording system
If you lodge an import entry electronically We aim to process a proportion of electronically lodged import entries within certain time intervals (ie. (97.4% within 15 minutes from receipt in Customs of a complete and accurate entry to transmission of advice that the entry is ready to pay). Entries that take longer than 15 minutes are usually those requiring documents to be lodged or a physical examination of the goods.	Target: 97.4% Actual: 98.3%	Count from standard reporting system of entries meeting criteria that ensures 15-minute requirement.
Availability of electronic systems for cargo reporting With the exception of scheduled computer maintenance downtime, we aim to provide access to electronic cargo systems (Air Cargo Automation and Sea Cargo Automation) 24 hours a day.	Air Cargo Target: 99.7% Actual: 99.82% Sea Cargo Target: 99.7% Actual: 99.76%	System availability figures from standard reporting system.
Availability of electronic systems for lodging import entries With the exception of scheduled computer maintenance downtime, we aim to provide access to COMPILE during the following hours: Monday - 0600 to 2330 (AEST); Tuesday to Friday - 0600 to 2300 (AEST); Saturday to Sunday - 0600 to 2200 (AEST).	Target: 99.0% Actual: 99.98%	System availability figures from standard reporting system.
If you lodge a refund application We aim to process completed refund applications within 30 days of receipt of all necessary documentation.	Target: 100% Actual: 100%	Exception reporting of failures.
If you lodge an export entry electronically We aim to transmit clearance within 10 minutes of receipt of a complete and accurate entry, provided there are no regulatory impediments. Entries lodged electronically will receive a higher priority than those lodged manually.	Target: 90% Actual:96.94%	Record of response times ("heartbeats") tracked by Telstra via the service provider.
Availability of electronic systems for cargo reporting With the exception of scheduled computer maintenance downtime, we aim to provide access to electronic cargo systems (EXIT 1 and 2) 24 hours a day.	Target: 99.7% Actual: 99.7%	System availability figures from standard reporting system.
If you lodge an Anti-Dumping or Countervailing application We will decide whether to initiate an investigation within 20 days of receipt of a complete application. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, we will produce a statement of essential facts within 110 days of initiation of an investigation. If appropriate we may impose provisional measures at any time after 60 days of initiation of an investigation and following the publication of a Preliminary Affirmative Determination. We will provide the Minister for Justice and Customs with a final report and recommendation within 45 days of publication of the statement of essential facts.	Target: 100% Actual: 47%* (8 out of 17)	Case by case results.
If we undertake a review of Anti-Dumping or Countervailing measures We will decide whether to initiate a review within 20 days of receipt of a complete application. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, we will produce a statement of essential facts within 110 days of initiation of a review of measures. We will provide the Minister for Justice and Customs with a final report and recommendation within 45 days of publication of the statement of essential facts.	Target: 100% Actual: 100% (9 out of 9)	Case by case results.
If you apply for a Tariff Concession Order (TCO) We will decide whether to accept your application within the statutory 28-day period from the date of receipt of a completed Application for a Tariff Concession Order.	Target: 100% Actual: 100%	Data obtained from the application tracking system.
If you apply for a TCO We will make a decision on your TCO application within the 150-day statutory period after the date of gazettal.	Target: 100% Actual: 100%	Data obtained from the application tracking system.
If you claim Duty Drawback We aim to process claims within 21 days of a completed Duty Drawback Claim.	Target: 100% Actual: 90%#	Sample of exception reporting results.

* 10% of Drawbacks are selected for field audit and are not normally processed within 21 days.

^# The Minister had granted an extension for the anti-dumping/countervailing cases that were not finalised within 155 days.

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