07 March 2025
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) updates IAN 2021-07 issued on 25 June 2021 which provided clarification to industries and exporters about the evidence required to apply for manual export certification for non-prescribed goods (NPGs) under the Export Control Act 2020 (the Act). This IAN clarifies that these evidence requirements also apply to certification for NPGs available in the Next Export Documentation (NEXDOC) system, and provides information on how to provide this evidence to the department.
Key points
In accordance with the Act, certification for NPG exports can occur to meet importing country requirements.
The department is responsible for Australia’s export regulatory system and maintaining international confidence in Australia’s agricultural and food exports.
Exporters are expected to make reasonable efforts to determine the requirements of the importing country, including whether certification is required.
If the importing country requires certification and requires the department to endorse that the goods being exported meet specific conditions, exporters are expected to provide evidence to the department that those conditions have been met.
If you are unable to source evidence that government-to-government certification is required, the department is able to issue an unendorsed certificate (for example, a certificate as to condition such as an EX188B/NX188B, or a M418/NX418 in the case of imported goods for re-export). Issuing of certification is contingent on all other application requirements being met.
Requirements
Exporters are encouraged to conduct due diligence by confirming with the overseas authority any importing country requirements and if certification is required for your goods. You should do so well in advance of exporting and confirm you have access to all required documentation when applying for an export certificate.
To confirm that export consignments meet importing country requirements, and to provide correct export certification, the department requests exporters provide evidence of the importing country requirements when applying for a certificate. Evidence types are not fixed, but do need to be official. They may include:
- a case from the department’s Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor)
- official documentation from an importing country authority, and if certification is required, what information the certificate must attest to (for example, an import permit, copy of import protocol/regulation with translation)
- a link to an overseas authority webpage where importing country requirements are outlined.
If applicable you may also need to provide evidence to demonstrate you meet the importing country requirements, for example:
- a manufacturer’s declaration attesting that the relevant goods have been manufactured/treated in the manner outlined in the certificate’s endorsement
- copies of import permits, certificates from State Authorities, HACCP certification, copies of laboratory test results
- any supporting documentation as listed in the Micor case
- any other evidence requested by a departmental assessing officer to assist with their assessment.
If you are seeking a more complex certificate with additional endorsements, and you have been unable to obtain evidence of the importing country requirements, please contact Assessment Services Group – Exports at foodexports@aff.gov.au or the Non-prescribed Goods Export Program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information. We ask that you do this well in advance of any planned shipments as determining importing country and certification requirements can take time.
Unendorsed certificates
If you are unable to source evidence that certification is required, but believe you still need a certificate, the department can issue an unendorsed certificate. An unendorsed certificate is one without additional attestations specific to the product beyond it being fit for human consumption (if applicable). Your application will need to include why you couldn’t obtain the importing country requirements and why you need a certificate, in addition to all other application requirements being met.
How to provide evidence
The department is transitioning NPG certification to the Next Export Documentation (NEXDOC) system. NEXDOC is already in place for export certification for honey, wool, skins, hides and feathers. Other Goods began transitioning to NEXDOC on 10 February 2025. See 2025-01: Transition to NEXDOC – Other Goods registration open.
Evidence requirements for manual certification and NEXDOC certification are the same.
For manual certification, evidence must be provided in email with your Application for a government export certificate for non-prescribed goods.
For NEXDOC certification, evidence must be submitted with your Request for Export (REX) via the NEXDOC portal.
Failure to provide appropriate evidence will result in requests for additional information that will delay the assessment of your application or REX.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email NPGExports@aff.gov.au
Joffrid Mackett
Assistant Secretary
Residues and Food Exports Branch
Exports and Veterinary Services Division
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry