Date of issue: 31 October 2020
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA2020-17
Attention:
- Industries—Industry bodies - Seafood Export Consultative Committee
- Export establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment —Central and Regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) provides urgent information on significant delays in border clearance for consignments of rock lobster exported from Australia.
Summary of key points
- The department is aware of significant delays at several Chinese ports of entry for the clearance of consignments of rock lobsters.
- Information received indicates the rates of inspection for the usual import testing have been increased to 50% of consignments.
- The exact testing being applied has not been confirmed. The department is urgently seeking further information on this increased border activity.
- Exporters of rock lobster may wish to reconsider exporting for the immediate period.
- If your consignment fails or receives an adverse inspection outcome and is rejected, please email the department, including all details, at exportstandards@awe.gov.au.
- The department is not aware of increased inspection and testing being applied to exports of other seafood products.
- It is recommended that you keep working with your importer in China to stay informed of delays in border clearance.
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment encourages all exporters of all seafood to work with their importer to ensure you are informed of current border inspection activity and that product meets the current importing country requirements.
Further information
Contact exportstandards@awe.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.