Module 3.1 - Warehouse Release Notices - Cargo Support

3.1 

WAREHOUSE RELEASE 

NOTICES 

Australian Customs Service 

5 Constitution Avenue 

Canberra ACT 2601 

Telephone: 1300 558 099 

Facsimile: 02 6122 5534 

© Commonwealth of Australia 2004 

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may 

be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Australian Customs 

Service. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction rights should be addressed to the 

Director, Corporate Communication, Australian Customs Service, 5 Constitution Avenue, Canberra, 

ACT, 2601. 

INDUSTRY EXPORTS MANUAL – V1.0 04/03/2008 3.1.1

WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICES 

CONTENTS 

Warehouse Release Notices overview ..........................................................3 

When is a warehouse release notice used? .............................................3 

What is a warehouse release notice?........................................................3 

What information is in a warehouse release notice? .............................5 

Legislation.......................................................................................................5 

Lodging a Warehouse Release Notice .......................................................6 

Searching for a Warehouse Release Notice.................................................8 

Amending a Warehouse Release Notice.....................................................12 

Adding a Line ...............................................................................................15 

Deleting a Line.............................................................................................16 

Withdrawing a Warehouse Release Notice ................................................16 

Related Topics .................................................................................................17 

Further Assistance ..........................................................................................17 

3.1.2 INDUSTRY EXPORTS MANUAL – V1.0 04/03/2008


WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICES OVERVIEW 

WHEN IS A WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICE USED? 

When certain prescribed goods are released from a warehouse for 

export, a warehouse release notice is reported to Customs. 

Customs provides a response to the warehouse release notice that 

includes a movement status for the goods specified in the notice. The 

warehouse operator may only release the goods to a depot or wharf or 

airport for export if the cargo has a status of ‘match’. 

WHAT IS A WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICE? 

A warehouse release notice is a statement made by a warehouse 

operator to Customs advising that prescribed warehoused goods are to 

be released by the warehouse and providing information concerning the 

goods. 

The warehouse release notice must be made electronically. This is done 

by lodging a warehouse release notice in the Integrated Cargo System 

(ICS). 

What are prescribed warehoused goods for export? 

Prescribed warehoused goods for export are goods classified to specific 

AHECC codes listed in Schedule 1AAA of the Customs Regulations for 

the purposes of sections 99(3), 102A and 117AA of the Customs Act 

1901. Prescribed warehoused goods are currently restricted to cigarette 

and tobacco products (chapter 24) and certain spirits (chapter 22). 

The current list of goods prescribed under Section 102A include: 

AHECC Code 

Description 

Spirits 

22071000 Undenatured Ethyl Alcohol >80% 

22072000 Ethyl Alcohol and other spirits 

22082010 Brandy (grape) 

22082090 Other 

22083000 Whiskies 

22084000 Rum and Tafia 

22085000 Gin and Geneva 

22086000 Vodka 

22087000 Liqueurs and cordials 



AHECC Code 

Description 

Cigarettes and Tobacco 

24011000 Un-manufactured tobacco, not 

stemmed/stripped 

24012000 Un-manufactured tobacco stemmed 

24013000 Un-manufactured tobacco refuse 

24021001 Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos containing 

tobacco (not exceeding .8 grams per stick) 

24021002 Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos containing 

tobacco (exceeding .8 grams per stick) 

24022001 Cigarettes containing tobacco (not exceeding 

.8 grams per stick) 

24022002 Cigarettes containing tobacco (exceeding .8 

grams per stick) 

24029000 Other cigars and cigarettes not classified 

above 

24031010 Smoking tobacco 

24031090 Cut Tobacco 

24039100 Homogenised or reconstituted 

24039900 Other manufactured tobacco or tobacco 

substitutes 

Status 

The possible document statuses for a warehouse release notice are: 

• CLEAR – indicates that there are no validation errors 

if the status is clear, then there can be movement status of: 

o 

o 

MATCH – indicates that the export declaration number (EDN) 

is a valid authority, and that the AHECCs and quantities on the 

notice are consistent with the corresponding export 

declaration 

NO MATCH – indicates that an AHECC on the warehouse 

release does not appear on the corresponding export 

declaration, or the net quantity on the warehouse release is 

not the same as that on the corresponding export declaration. 

• WITHDRAWN - will only apply if the warehouse release notice is 

withdrawn, and no listed cargo was actually released by the 

warehouse. If the goods were released and returned, then the 



warehouse release notice should not be withdrawn, and a warehouse 

return notice submitted. 

WHAT INFORMATION IS IN A WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICE? 

The warehouse release notice requires information about: 

• the reporting party and a unique reference number assigned by the 

reporting party for the receival 

• what – the EDN for the goods, the AHECC and net quantity of each 

line of goods 

• where – the establishment IDs of the warehouse and the destination 

depot or wharf/airport. 

LEGISLATION 

Customs Act 1901 

Section 99(3) states that a warehouse operator must not allow 

prescribed warehoused goods to be taken from the warehouse for 

export unless they have been entered for export and an authority to 

deal with them is in force. It is an obligation that the warehouse 

operator checks this information. 

Section 102A(2) requires that if goods are released from a warehouse 

for export, the warehouse operator must give notice to Customs 

electronically, within the prescribed period, stating that the goods have 

been released and providing details about the release of the goods as 

are required. 

Customs Regulations 1926 

Regulation 95AA states that Schedule 1AAA specifies the goods that 

are subject to paragraph 99(3)(c) of the Act. 

Regulation 95AB states that Schedule 1AAA specifies the goods that 

are subject to subsection 102A(1) of the Act. 

Regulation 95AB(2) states that the prescribed period for subsection 

102A(2) is from 24 hours prior to the time that Customs estimates that 

the goods will be released and ends immediately before the goods are 

released. 

Schedule 1AAA lists the Australian Harmonized Export Commodity 

Classification codes of the goods that are prescribed warehoused goods. 

Offences 

Section 99 - An offence against subsection s99(3) – information not 

ascertained prior to release of prescribed warehoused goods from a 

warehouse – is an offence of strict liability, with a maximum penalty of 

60 penalty units. The Infringement Notice Scheme (INS) applies to 



offences against subsection 99(3), with a penalty of twelve penalty 

units. A penalty unit is defined within the Crimes Act 1914. 

Section 102A - An offence against subsection s102A(2) - Failure of a 

holder of a warehouse license to notify Customs of release of prescribed 

goods - it is an offence of strict liability, with a maximum penalty of 60 

penalty units. The Infringement Notice Scheme (INS) applies to offences 

against subsection 102A with a penalty of twelve penalty units. 

A penalty unit means $110 as defined in s4AA of the Crimes Act.1914. 

LODGING A WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICE 

The Warehouse Release Notice Lodge screen enables users with the 

appropriate access to lodge a warehouse release notice to Customs. 

Tip: Before attempting to lodge a warehouse release notice, ensure that 

you have all required information and codes. It is NOT possible to use 

the reference search function and lodge a warehouse release notice 

simultaneously. 

To lodge a warehouse release notice: 

Step 1. From the main menu, click on Exports, click on Warehouse 

Release Notice, then click on Lodge. 

The Warehouse Release Notice Lodge screen displays. 

The Warehouse Release Notice Lodge screen enables users to lodge 

details about prescribed warehoused goods being released from a 

warehouse. 



Note: the Reporting Party Id field will default to the ABN/CCID 

(Australian Business Number/Customs Client Identifier) of the reporting 

party and is read-only. 

Step 2. In the Senders Ref field, enter the sender’s unique reference 

for the notice. 

Step 3. In the Warehouse Estab field, enter the warehouse 

establishment identifier for the warehouse releasing the goods. 

Step 4. In the Destination Estab field, enter the destination 

establishment identifier for the destination of the goods. This must be 

an s77G depot (for consolidation) or a wharf or airport (for export). 

Step 5. In the Export Declaration No field, enter the export 

declaration number for the goods being released. The goods being 

released must have an authority to deal prior to release. 

Step 6. In the Release Date field, enter the date the goods are due to 

be released. 

Step 7. In the Release Time field, enter the time the goods are due to 

be released. 

Step 8. In the AHECC Code field, enter the AHECC code for the goods 

to be released. 

Step 9. In the Goods Description field, enter a text description of the 

goods to be released. 

Step 10. In the Net Quantity field, enter the quantity of goods 

being released. 

Step 11. In the Net Quantity Unit field, enter the quantity unit of 

measurement for the goods to be released. 

Note: to add a line, click on the Add Line button. 

Note: to exit this screen without saving, click on the Cancel button. 

Step 12. 

Click on the Submit button. 

A confirmation box displays. 

Step 13. 

Click on the OK button. 

An information box displays. 



Step 14. 

Click on the OK button. 

The Warehouse Release Notice View screen displays with the 

updated details. 

SEARCHING FOR A WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICE 

It is possible to search for a warehouse release notice that you or your 

company has previously lodged, by entering information into a selected 

search combination. 

To search for a warehouse release notice: 

Step 1. From the main menu, click on Exports, click on Warehouse 

Release Notice and then click on Search. 

The Warehouse Release Notice Search screen displays. 

The Warehouse Release Notice Search screen enables users to search 

for a warehouse release notice. The default search criteria in the Select 

a Search Combination field will be Reporting Party & Senders Ref. Fields 

for this Select a Search Combination are mandatory fields. All other 

fields are disabled. 

Note: the Reporting Party Id field will default to the ABN/CCID 

(Australian Business Number/Customs Client Identifier) of the reporting 

party and is read-only. 

Step 2. In the Select a Search Combination field, click on the drop 

down button and select one of the following options: 

• Reporting Party Id & Senders Ref (default) 

• Reporting Party Id & Export Declaration No 



• Reporting Party Id & Warehouse Estab Id & Release Date 

• Reporting Party Id & Warehouse Estab Id & Transaction Date 

• Reporting Party Id & Destination Estab Id & Release Date 

• Reporting Party Id & Destination Estab Id & Transaction Date 

• Reporting Party Id & Release Date 

• Reporting Party Id & Transaction Date. 

Tip: Choosing an appropriate search option will make searching more 

efficient. 

When a broad search option is used, a list will usually be returned. From 

this screen a specific document can be chosen. The broadest search 

options are the options involving Release Date or Transaction Date. The 

most specific search options are the Reporting Party Id & Senders Ref or 

Reporting Party Id & Export Declaration No options. 

Step 3. Enter the relevant values in the mandatory fields. 

Note: the release date and transaction date range must be no more 

than 30 days duration. 

Note: to clear the search criteria entered, click on the Clear button. 

Step 4. Click on the Search button. 

If one record is found, the Warehouse Release Notice View screen 

displays. Refer to page 3.10. 

If more than one record is found, the Warehouse Release Notice List 

screen displays. 



The Warehouse Release Notice List screen enables users to view a list of 

warehouse release notices found by a search. 

The list is sorted by transaction date and then by senders reference. 

The following table lists the options available on the Warehouse Release 

Notice List screen. 

Option Action Result 

To view a previous or 

next page of results. 

Note: only available 

if more than one page 

exists. 

To perform another 

search (with existing 

search values 

retained). 

Click on the Page 

Prev or Next 

button. 

Click on the Back 

hyperlink. 

The previous or next 

page of results displays. 

The Warehouse Release 

Notice Search screen 

displays with the 

previously entered search 

criteria. 

To perform another 

search (with default 

search values). 

Click on the New 

Search hyperlink. 

Step 5. Click on a hyperlink in the Senders Ref column. 

The Warehouse Release Notice View screen displays. 


Notice Search screen 

displays with the default 

search parameters. 



The Warehouse Release Notice View screen is divided into two sections. 

The header section at the top of the screen displays information that 

relates to the whole warehouse release notice. The lower section of the 

screen displays a list of line summary details by line number. 

Note: if the status is Withdrawn or Processing, the Amend and 

Withdraw buttons will be disabled. 

On entry from the Warehouse Return Notice View screen, the 

following screen functions are not available: 

• Amend button 

• Withdraw button 

• Prev and Next buttons 

• View Return hyperlink. 

The following table lists the options available on the Warehouse Release 

Notice View screen. 



Option Action Result 

To view the previous 

or next version of the 

warehouse release 

notice. 

Note: only available if 

more than one version 

exists. 

To navigate to the 

previous or next page 

of lines within the 

current warehouse 

release notice. 


more than one page 

exists. 

To navigate to the 

previous or next 


notice. 


your search found 

more than one record. 

To amend a 


notice. 

To withdraw a 


notice. 

To view the 

warehouse return 

notice details. 


a corresponding 

warehouse return 

notice exists. 

Click on the 

Version < or > 

button. 

Click on the Page 

Prev or Next 

button. 

Click on the Notice 

Prev or Next 

button. 

Click on the 

Amend button. 

Click on the 

Withdraw 

button. 

Click on the View 

Return hyperlink. 


version of the warehouse 

release notice displays. 


page of lines displays. 


warehouse release notice 

displays. 


Notice Amend screen 

displays. 

A confirmation box 

displays. Refer to 

Withdrawing a 

Warehouse Release 

Notice on page 3.16. 

The Warehouse Return 

Notice View screen 

displays. 

AMENDING A WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICE 

The Warehouse Release Notice Amend screen enables users with the 

appropriate access to amend the details of a warehouse release notice 



in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). Only the reporter who lodged the 

notice can make subsequent changes to it. Significant amendments, 

particularly those involving goods subject to a permit may be subject to 

further investigation. 

Tip: Before attempting to amend a warehouse release notice, ensure 

that you have all required information and codes. It is NOT possible to 

use the reference search function and amend a warehouse release 

notice simultaneously. 

To amend a warehouse release notice: 

Step 1. From the Warehouse Release Notice View screen, click on the 

Amend button. 

The Warehouse Release Notice Amend screen displays. 

The Warehouse Release Notice Amend screen enables users to change 

certain details of a warehouse release notice. 

The following fields are read-only: 

• Reporting Party 

• Senders Ref 

• Warehouse Estab 

• Export Declaration No. 

The following fields can be amended if required: 



• Destination Estab 

• Release Date 

• Release Time 

• Line Action 

• AHECC Code 

• Goods Description 

• Net Quantity 

• Net Quantity Unit. 

Step 2. In the header details section, make the required changes. 

To amend the line details, refer to Step 3 or to save the changes, refer 

to Step 6. 

Step 3. Locate the line that requires amendment. 

Step 4. In the relevant Line Action field, press the ‘A’ key on the 

keyboard (to indicate amend). 

Step 5. In the line details section, make the required changes. 

Note: to amend other lines, refer to Step 3. 


Step 6. Click on the Submit button. 


Step 7. Click on the OK button. 







ADDING A LINE 

Lines of cargo can be added to a warehouse release notice if required. 

To add a line: 

Step 1. Ensure the Warehouse Release Notice Amend screen is 

displayed. 

Step 2. Click on the Add Line button. 

The line number will increase to the next available number and the 

entry fields will be displayed for population. 

Step 3. In the AHECC Code field, enter the AHECC code for the goods 

to be released. 

Step 4. In the Goods Description field, enter a text description of the 

goods. 

Step 5. In the Net Quantity field, enter the quantity of goods being 

released. 

Step 6. In the Net Quantity Unit field, enter the net quantity unit of 

measurement for the goods to be released. 











DELETING A LINE 

Lines of cargo can be deleted from a warehouse release notice if 

required. 

To delete a line: 

Step 1. Ensure the Warehouse Release Notice Amend screen is 

displayed. 

Step 2. Locate the line that requires deletion. 

Step 3. In the relevant Line Action field, press the ‘D’ key on the 

keyboard (to indicate delete). 









WITHDRAWING A WAREHOUSE RELEASE NOTICE 

Warehouse release notice withdraw functionality is found on the 

Warehouse Release Notice View screen and enables users with the 

appropriate access to withdraw a warehouse release notice in the 

Integrated Cargo System (ICS). 

A Warehouse Release Notice may only be withdrawn if the Export 

Declaration Number (EDN) that is quoted on it has not been further 

reported for example, on a depot receival notice or a CTO receival 

notice. 



To withdraw a warehouse release notice: 

Step 1. From the Warehouse Release Notice View screen, click on the 

Withdraw button. 



The Warehouse Release Notice View screen redisplays with the 

Withdrawn indicator in red text at the top of the screen. 

Note: if the EDN quoted on the warehouse release notice does not 

appear on a depot receival notice or a CTO release notice, the 

warehouse release notice will be withdrawn. 

RELATED TOPICS 

For more information on Export Declarations, refer to Module 2. 

For more information on Depot Receival and Release Notices, refer to 

Module 4. 

For more information on CTO Receival and Removal Notices, refer to 

Module 5. 

FURTHER ASSISTANCE 

The quick reference guides Warehouse Release Notices and 

Warehouse Return Notices are available from www.customs.gov.au. 

For technical support email cargosupport@customs.gov.au or phone 

1300 558 099.

Module 3.1 - Warehouse Release Notices - Cargo Support

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