Lower tax for imported craft beer kegs

Craft beer imported in smaller kegs will be subject to a lower customs tax rate under changes introduced to federal parliament.

Customs tax for smaller kegs typically used by craft brewers will be reduced under proposed laws introduced to federal parliament.

Beer in kegs bigger than 48 litres is taxed at lower rates compared with beer in smaller kegs, making it harder for craft breweries to be competitive against larger companies.

The draft laws, which were introduced to the lower house on Thursday, match proposed changes to the excise tax for domestically produced beer that were put to parliament on Wednesday.