29 January 2021
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to Approved Arrangements, terminal operators, importers, and brokers for imports of all goods.
Background
The department has been advised by Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre (JEVIC) that cleaning and pre-inspection services will continue to be reduced at several facilities located in Japan.
What has changed?
With fewer offshore cleaned and pre-inspected vehicles arriving in Australia from Japan, there will continue to be a higher than usual volume of used vehicles requiring assessment, booking and inspection on arrival. This is expected to delay onshore clearance for all imported goods subject to biosecurity control. The impacts include delays in the assessment, booking process, inspections (both breakbulk and containerised) and reinspection of onshore treatment if required.
Current booking and inspection arrangements will remain in place for vehicles that are cleaned and pre-inspected offshore by JEVIC.
The department is actively working on measures to minimise the impacts on industry. Based on information currently available to the department, these delays are expected to be temporary. The department will keep industry updated.
Further information
Used vehicles present a high-risk to Australia’s biosecurity. Used vehicles entering Australia must be free of any biosecurity risk material. Used vehicles have a 100% intervention rate. Reduced intervention (5%) is applied to vehicles that are cleaned and pre-inspected by recognised providers of offshore treatment.
For importers:
- Importers, in conjunction with their brokers, may wish to continue to consider alternative discharge ports which are experiencing less congestion.
For brokers:
- Brokers should utilise AEPCOMM to undertake the assessment of used vehicles arriving in Australia where possible.
- Brokers will need to book appointments for any vehicles not cleaned and pre-inspected by JEVIC offshore under the approved scheme, as these will require 100% intervention.
For additional information, please contact Sea Cargo Policy at airandseacargo@awe.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090.
Current intervention rates for offshore used-vehicle cleaning providers can be found at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/prepare/treatment-providers/offshore-cleaning-pre-inspection-of-used-vehicles-providers.