International Trade Remedies Advisory Service for SMEs

The International Trade Remedies Advisory Service is a federal government funded program that helps small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to Australia’s anti-dumping and countervailing system.

The program is available to Australian SMEs at no charge and provides SMEs with access to an experienced advisor on trade remedies available to combat the dumping and subsidisation of goods exported to Australia, where those exports are causing material economic injury to the Australian industry producing similar or comparable goods. The service is also available to importers and end-users of the goods the subject of anti-dumping action or duties.

The Advisory Service is lead by the International Trade Remedies Advisor, an anti-dumping specialist with several years experience working for Australia’s anti-dumping administration. As an employee of Ai Group, the Advisor is independent of government.

What is dumping? What are subsidies?
Dumping occurs when goods are sold to importers in Australia at prices that are lower than the selling price of comparable goods in the country of export, or when goods are sold to Australia at unprofitable prices.

The rules around subsidies, specifically countervailable subsidies, can be complex. However, subsidisation (capable of trade remedies), generally occurs when goods imported into Australia benefit from foreign government financial assistance. Examples of subsidies include loans at preferential rates, grants and tax incentives.

What services are available?
Subject to confidentiality and conflict of interest considerations, the International Trade Remedies Advisor is available to provide advice, assistance and support to Australian SME businesses involved in the Australian anti-dumping system. Services include: 

• evaluating the strengths and weakness of an anti-dumping or countervailing application for investigation, review or continuation inquiry
• advice on the preparation of an application 
• facilitating cooperation between industry members to achieve the threshold levels of industry "support" required for initiation of an investigation 
• preparation of an application and lodgment with Customs and Border Protection for consideration
• advice during the screening/consideration process 
• advice and support during the Customs and Border Protection investigation process 
• preparation of submissions during the investigation 
• advice to SME stakeholders following imposition of measures

Who qualifies for the service?
The International Trade Remedies Advisory Service is free to eligible Australian SME businesses.

To qualify as an SME, your business must have less than 200 full-time employees.

Industry and agricultural associations representing the interests of a particular industry or sector comprising SMEs may also qualify for assistance on behalf of their members.

Resources available
Resources specific to your interest in the anti-dumping system have been created. The following categories of SME stakeholders have been identified as users of the Advisory Service. To access resources specific to your interest in the anti-dumping system, click on the links below: 

• Australian producers/manufacturers
• Australian primary producers 
• Australian importers of good subject to anti-dumping action or remedies 
• Australian downstream producers using goods subject to anti-dumping action or remedies 
• Industry or sectoral representative associations or grower groups

An Australian Government initiative
The International Trade Remedies Advisory Service is an independent but Australian Government funded position employed by the Australian Industry Group.