12 October 2022
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries who use Qube Logistics in the ports of Brisbane, Adelaide and Fremantle—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain.
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department), is undertaking a survey in partnership with Qube Logistics to inspect the external surfaces of sea containers from a selection of countries not on the department’s Country Action List (CAL) i.e. countries that are generally not subject to external container inspection on arrival to Australia.
The results of the survey will be used by the department to verify if current risk-settings are effectively managing the risk of hitchhiker pests and contaminants entering Australia on the external surfaces of imported sea containers; and may inform future changes to the Country Action List.
How will the survey be conducted?
The survey will be conducted by Qube Logistics in the ports of Brisbane, Adelaide and Fremantle.
Selected containers will be inspected on the wharf by trained Qube personnel within 72 hours of vessel discharge.
Stakeholders can expect a minimal delay in the release of non-CAL containers if they are selected for inspection. Any containers with unacceptable levels of contamination with soil, plant and animal material will be cleaned on-site by Qube at no additional cost to the importer. Containers found to be infested with live pests will be held pending identification and advice on appropriate treatment options. The cost of any treatments required to manage live pests will be borne by the importer.
When will the survey be conducted?
The survey is expected to commence on 13 October 2022 and will continue for approximately 6 months.
Further information
For further information regarding the hitchhiker pest container survey, contact the department via email: schscargopolicy@aff.gov.au