22 April 2020
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) provides further guidance to industry on the business continuity arrangements for plant export certificates due to the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary of changes and key points
- Exporters are encouraged to provide a scanned copy of the original paper phytosanitary certificate to their importer to assist with the clearance of their consignment.
- If the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) has concerns with the authenticity of the scanned or paper copies of the phytosanitary certificate they can request verification directly from the department’s Assessment Services Group.
- An official request or letter is not required in order to obtain additional verification, an email to the above listed email address from the NPPO is sufficient.
Background
The department is continuing to liaise with NPPOs on ways to provide additional assurance or verification for plant exports during this difficult time.
This includes negotiating the acceptance of scanned copies of phytosanitary certificates.
Exporters responsibilities
- Exporters should maintain current process as per the information previously provided in IAN 2020-15.
- Exporters should continue to courier original paper based export certificates to their importers in advance of the arrival of the goods. Where this is not possible or likely to be delayed, the original paper based certificates should accompany the consignment.
- Exporters should provide a scanned copy of the original paper phytosanitary certificate to their importer to assist with the clearance of their consignment.
- Where additional verification is required from the department, exporters should ensure this is requested by the NPPO through the department’s Assessment Services Group with ‘Client Query’ in the subject line.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email EXDOC Plant Programs.
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch