The GATT environment has led to other conventions and uniform application of Government activities by member nations. The Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), now known as the World Customs Organisation (WCO), based in Brussels, addresses the technical aspects and proposes practical means for implementing Customs matters in relation to imports and exports to or from a country, respectively.

Australia (like so many other nations) has adopted the CCC Nomenclature for the Classification of Goods in Customs Tariffs and the Valuation of Goods for Customs purposes. In this way, the movement of goods across international boundaries can be identified through the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System - that is, goods are subject to a tariff classification that in essence, has uniformity around the world, subject to additional local or domestic characteristics.

Australia's local trading laws are the responsibility of the (current) federal Department of Industry, Science, and Resources. Within that Department or in others closely related thereto, exists various portfolios of Government that administer the laws relating to import procedures.