Full Import Declarations

Customs brokers and importers must complete full import declarations (FIDs) for imported food. FIDs are lodged through the Department of Home Affairs' Integrated Cargo System (ICS).

We use this information when inspecting and testing food imports. This is part of our Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS).

How it works

A FID includes details we use to refer food imports to inspect and test.

We make sure the correct rates of inspection or analysis are applied using:

• information lodged in a FID
• supporting commercial documentation
• any government-to-government certification.

Incorrect information

If we find incorrect information in a FID, we direct you to amend the FID. Until you fix it, the goods will remain on hold and the FID will not be processed. You also won’t be able to book an inspection.

We will record your details and may take further action if we find that you have:

• purposely lodge incorrect information
• answer lodgement questions incorrectly.

Producer of imported food

When you lodge a FID for imported food, you need to provide the name of the producer.

Find out more about declaring the producer of imported food.

IFIS Community Protection (CP) profile questions

You may be asked IFIS CP profile questions when lodging a FID. Make sure you provide enough information about the food to support your answer. For mixed or processed food, this includes a list and the percentage of ingredients.

Example questions:

Whole food:

• Are the goods sesame seeds?

Ingredients in a mixed or processed food:

• Do the goods contain more than 30% peanuts or peanut products?

Referral for biosecurity or food safety assessment

FIDs may be referred for biosecurity assessment as well as to food safety assessment under the IFIS.

All consignments of food referred to the IFIS must be accompanied by documentation and information consistent with the Minimum Documentary and Import Declaration Requirements Policy.

To minimise delays in document assessment ensure you provide clear, complete and correct documentation.

Information to provide

For each FID referred to us, you must provide:

• importer name
• importer address
• importer contact phone
• importer email address (where available)
• location where the goods will be inspected.

Documents to include

For each FID referred to us, you must also lodge documents via the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS) including but not limited to:

• line identification
• lot code list
• Laboratory Nomination Form

Line identification

You must provide a document that links each line in the FID to each type of food on the commercial documentation. This may be an invoice, packing list or lot code list.

We can’t process your FID if you don’t provide a document, or it doesn’t provide clear linkages. You will be asked to submit new or revised documents.

Lot code lists

You must have a lot code list for each type of food (batch) in the FID. Provide us a lot code list when we’re processing your FID and also during an inspection. We use it to estimate how long an inspection will take and how many samples need to be tested.

A lot is a quantity of food:

• of a particular kind
• prepared under the same general conditions
• from a particular packing or preparation unit
• prepared or packaged during a particular period (usually a 24-hour period).

The manufacturer uses marks or codes to identify each lot. 'Use-by' or packing dates can be used if it’s in day/month/year format.

A lot code list contains all lot codes within a consignment. It identifies the number of cartons or quantity per lot for each type of food (batch).

For example: Lot 2004/07 – 100 cartons x 24 x 375g cans of tomatoes.

Lot codes can be presented on a separate lot code list document or be included in other documents such as an invoice, bill of lading or packing list. All documents containing lot codes must be endorsed, as per below.

As per the Minimum Documentary and Import Declaration Requirements Policy, an endorsement must:

• be an acceptable signature, electronic signature or stamp as defined in the Definitions section of this policy
• appear after the information that the signatory is endorsing.

Laboratory nomination

We issue you with a Food Control Certificate that states if samples will be required for analytical testing.

Find out how to book a laboratory for food testing.

Exemption from IFIS inspection or exemption from certain microbiological tests required under the IFIS

You can submit a form to request exemption from an IFIS inspection for food that:

• is not subject to requirements under section 7 of the Imported Food Control Act 1992
• is being imported for use in food manufacturing and will undergo further processing involving a heat treatment sufficient to inactivate the microbiological hazards of concern.

These forms are not mandatory. However, using them may help improve the process for requesting an exemption. They include all the information the department needs to assess an exemption request.