Date of Issue: 9 December 2016
Date of Effect: Immediately
Attention
Industries:
- Exporters of imported food requiring certificate M418 Declaration of Imported Goods
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources:
- Central and regional offices
- Assessment Services Group
Overseas Market: All
Further Information:
- Email: NPG Exports
- Email: Food Export Documentation
Manufacturer information no longer required
The Non Prescribed Goods (NPG) program has reviewed the requirement for the overseas manufacturer details on the M418 certificate ‘Declaration of Imported Goods’. This review concluded that manufacturer information is not required to be included on M418 export certificates. As a result, the department will amend the M418 certificate template early in 2017 to remove the ‘Manufacturer’ field.
Until the amended certificate template is finalised, industry are advised that Manufacturer details are not a mandatory requirement.
During the interim period, the Manufacturer field is to be left blank.
Where Manufacturer details have been provided on the certificate, officers will require evidence, such as photographs, import permits, health certification, etc, to verify the information provided is correct.
The department urges exporters to advise their importers of this change.
If you are aware that Manufacturer details are an importing country requirement, you must contact the Non Prescribed Goods Program at NPG Exports
A further Industry Advice Notice will be issued when the amended M418 certificate template becomes available.
Exporter declaration
Exporters are required to provide a declaration when submitting an M418.
A current signed exporter declaration must state:
“These goods have been imported into Australia and remain in their original packaging, with their original trade descriptions, and no further processing has taken place in Australia. I am in possession of documented evidence to support this claim”.