101-2017 – Implementation of revised Minimum Documentary and Import Declaration Requirements and Non Commodity Information Requirements Policies

Definition

References to 'Scheme'

Approved Arrangement

Amended to align with Biosecurity Act

Consultation

Removed section of policy

Added Consultation section to end of the document under 9.5

This section was added to the last version to clarify that industry had been consulted on the large changes that were made. No longer needed

Definitions - Marks and Numbers

Batch numbers, serial numbers or other codes (may include company names and addresses) on the goods or packaging of goods, which enable them to be identified.

Batch numbers, serial numbers or other consignment specific codes on the goods or packaging of goods, which enable them to be identified.

Amended to clarify the requirement

4.3.1 - Electronic lodgement via the eCert system

Where the department has an agreed arrangement with a foreign government that allows for government certification to be received using a secure government-to-government system transfer such as eCert, the physical document is not required to be presented for processing

Where the department has an agreed arrangement with a foreign government that allows for government certification to be received using a secure government-to-government system transfer such as eCert, the physical document is not required to be presented to the department.

Amended to clarify that the department does not need to receive a physical copy of the certificate.

4.5.1 - Documentation requirement for a declaration/notice of intent to export

Addition of:                             •Product and variety    
• a declaration of compliance with Australia’s import conditions
• printed name and signature of biosecurity officer and date of inspection

Removal of: Departmental stamp requirements

Amended to align with Notice of Intention requirements outlined in 72-2016 - Cessation of departmental stamps from 1 August 2016

4.6.3 - Annual Packing Declaration requirements

Annual packing declarations are valid for 12 months from the date of issue by the packer and must be valid at the time the import declaration is assessed by a biosecurity officer or assessed and lodged by the customs broker.

Annual packing declarations are valid for 12 months from the date of issue by the packer/supplier and must be valid at the time the shipping container is exported.

Amended to allow Annual packing declarations to be used for goods packed and exported prior to the date of expiry

4.7.6 - Information requirements by treatment type

Addition of:
• duration/exposure period; for example, hours or minutes

Amended to align with import conditions

6.5 - Declaring the AQIS entity identifier (AEI)

The AQIS entity identifier must be declared for all FIDs that have an accompanying AFAS treatment certificate. This can be declared using the AEI field in the ICS or in the customs broker’s third party software by selecting the appropriate AEI or AEIs from the list provided, ensuring that the company name in the second column matches the company name on the certificate. Offshore Methyl Bromide treatment provider's list webpage.

The AQIS entity identifier must be declared for all FID/SCL consignments that:

• have an accompanying AFAS methyl bromide treatment certificate.
• have an accompanying non AFAS methyl bromide treatment certificate
• have an accompanying offshore irradiation treatment providers scheme treatment certificate
• are  required to enter data in the field by other departmental arrangements 

AEI details can be entered directly into the AEI field in the ICS or in the customs broker’s third party software by selecting the appropriate AEI or AEIs from the list provided, ensuring that the company name in the second column matches the company name on the certificate.

Complete details on how to enter AEI details can be found on the Offshore Methyl Bromide treatment provider's list webpage.

Amended to clarify AEI requirements and align with import conditions

6.7 – Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

N/A

VIN/unique identifiers must be entered in the VIN field of the ICS for the following commodities:
new and used non-passenger vehicles
used passenger vehicles

Added to align with Import conditions

8.1 – Answering IFIS Community protection (CP) profile questions

N/A

Where the department identifies that a customs broker or importer is lodging incorrect information in a FID or answering the Imported Food Inspection Scheme Lodgement Questions incorrectly, this will be viewed as a noncompliance and the details will be recorded. The customs broker, importer and consignment details may also be referred to the department's Enforcement area for further action. 

For further information about Imported Food Inspection Scheme lodgement questions please refer to the departments website - Lodging import declarations and documentation

Clarify the departments requirements for accurate information

9.1 Declaring the date of export

BICON stipulates that goods treated offshore are exported from the country of origin/manufacture within 21 days of treatment. In some instances BICON will state an alternate period (such as 90 days).

Import conditions for certain classes of goods stipulate that offshore treatments must have been conducted in the country of origin/manufacture within a specified time period prior to export

Allow the section to be used broadly across multiple BICON cases

9.1 Declaring the date of export

when a consignment is lodged with the freight forwarder, shipping company/airline, charter operator or an appointed agent in the country of origin, for ultimate destination in Australia either:

Addition of:
container tracking evidence from the shipping company’s website

Allow evidence such as screen shots from a shipping company’s website to be used as evidence of the date the container was shipped on board the vessel

Definition

References to 'Scheme'

Approved Arrangement

Amended to align with Biosecurity Act

Consultation

Removed section of policy

Added Consultation section to end of the document under section 5.5

This section was added to the last version to clarify that industry had been consulted on the large changes that were made. No longer needed

1 – Non- commodity concerns – Table 1

Addition of Ship Cleanliness certificate requirements

Amended to align with Import Conditions for Bulk Cargo

3.1 - Unpack destination—rural area

Note: Rural tailgate inspections generally require internal and external inspection, but dangerous goods only require an external inspection.

Note: Rural tailgate inspections generally require internal and external inspection, consignments containing dangerous or hard frozen goods require an external inspection only.

Amended to clarify requirements for hard frozen containers

4 - Non‐commodity concern statements (containers)

Headings restructured

This section was restructured to align the section of the policy with the order the statements appear on packing declarations.

4.1 Unacceptable packaging material statement

Various cargo types require a statement indicating whether unacceptable packaging material (for example, straw, bamboo peat, hay, chaff and used fruit and vegetable cartons) has been used in the packaging of the consignment. Each of these packaging materials are not permitted.

Various cargo types require a statement indicating whether unacceptable packaging material (for example, straw, peat, hay, chaff and used fruit and vegetable cartons) has been used in the packaging of the consignment. Each of these packaging materials are not permitted.

Reference to bamboo being considered an unacceptable packaging material has been removed to align with the departments import conditions for bamboo packaging.

Note: Annual and consignment specific packing declarations have also been amended to align with this change.

4.2 Timber/bamboo packaging/dunnage statement

 ‘Has timber packaging/dunnage been used in consignments covered by this document?’
Answer: Yes/No.

Has timber/bamboo packaging/dunnage been used in consignments covered by this document?’

Answers amended to:
Yes –Timber
Yes -Bamboo
No.

References to bamboo have been added to allow bamboo packaging to be identified.

Note: Annual and consignment specific packing declarations have also been amended to align with this change.

4.3  Timber statement and ISPM 15 statement or treatment certificate (if timber declared)

Heading:
Timber statement and ISPM 15 statement or treatment certificate (if timber declared)

The heading of this section has been split to two separate sections:
4.3.1 ISPM 15
4.3.2 Treatment certification

Split to clarify the difference between ISPM 15 and treatment requirements

4.3.1 ISPM 15

N/A

The following notes have been added under the revised heading:

Note: If timber packaging is declared and an acceptable ISPM15 statement is provided, no further action is required.
Note: Bamboo packaging/dunnage cannot be treated in accordance with ISPM 15.

Notes were added to clarify ISPM 15 requirements.