16 June 2017
Who does this notice affect?
This notice applies to importers and customs agents of fresh produce, fresh cut flowers, plant products for human consumption, aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.
Importers are advised the Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-Prohibited Goods) Determination 2016 (Goods Determination) is currently under amendment. As a result, from 30 June 2017 certain commodities will have different import conditions. If you intend to import goods into Australia you must comply with the new legislation and read this notice.
What is changing?
Commodities that will no longer require an import permit
From 30 June 2017 selected commodities will no longer require an import permit when the alternative conditions in the Goods Determination are met. This includes:
- Chrysanthemum spp. as fresh cut flowers and foliage from all countries
- All species of bark, other than slippery elm bark powder (Ulmus spp.), for human consumption and human therapeutic use from all countries
- Fresh grapes for human consumption from China
- Fresh mango for human consumption from Vietnam and all regions of India
- Fresh apricots and interspecific stone fruit hybrids for human consumption from the United States of America
- Fresh Agrocybe cylindracea mushrooms for human consumption from all countries
- Dried Trametes versicolor mushrooms for human consumption from all countries
- Frozen Cantharellus cibarius and Craterellus cornucopioides mushrooms for human consumption from all countries
All goods entering Australia must continue to meet the import conditions published in BICON.
Commodities that will now require an import permit
From 30 June 2017 fresh strawberries from the United States of America will require an import permit prior to the goods being imported into Australia.
All goods entering Australia must continue to meet the import conditions published in BICON.
Amendment to the List of overseas authorities – aquatic animals
From 30 June 2017 the list of competent authorities for the certifying of aquatic animal and aquatic animal products will change for the countries of Japan and Peru. Certifying agencies are now:
Japan
- Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
- Japan Foods Inspection Corporation (JFIC)
Peru
- National Fisheries Health Organisation -SANIPES (Organismo Nacional de Sanidad Pesquera) of the Ministry of Production (Ministerio de la Producción)
And supersede:
Japan
- Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
- Authorised Certifying Agency on behalf of MAFF, Japan Frozen Foods Inspection Corporation (JFFIC)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
Peru
- Ministry of Production (Ministerio de la Producción) Instituto Tecnologico de la Produccion (ITP)
Further information
For further information please see see the biosecurity legislation page on the department’s website, email Plant Import Operations Branch or Animal and Biological Import Assessments Branch at Imports or phone 1800 900 090.