7 November 2022
Who does this notice affect?
All importers and customs brokers who are required to lodge import documents for Ship Stores and Ship Spares.
What has changed?
With the upcoming cruise season’s increased activity, the department wishes to provide information regarding the lodgement of documents relating to Ship Stores and Ship spares.
- To assist the department with the timely processing of your documents and prevent document assessment delays you should:
- Ensure documents are lodged well in advance of arrival of the goods into Australia (between 5-7 days prior to a vessel’s arrival for sea freight and 24 hours for airfreight) as this will allow assessment to occur and any identified concerns to be addressed prior to the discharge of goods.
- Ensure documents and other information is complete and accurate when lodged, and in line with the department's minimum documentary requirements and import conditions.
- Only provide required documents for assessment.
- Ensure a manual cover sheet is presented with all relevant and correct information.
- Ensure reporting in ICS is accurate and correct.
- To ensure a request is directed to the appropriate processing area please attach an appropriate coversheet.
- Make sure to use the correct subject header as indicated below:
- For ship stores consignments, attach coversheet & add in email subject header: Ship Stores
- For ship spares consignments, attach coversheet & add in email subject header: Ship Spares
Client service standards
Our client service standards have been developed to ensure we are meeting client expectations and are delivering our services within agreed time frames.
As per our client service standards, import documents lodged via email will be processed within three business days of receiving, however we may take longer if:
- they need policy advice
- you have provided incomplete or incorrect information
- we need more information to continue the assessment (we will notify you if this happens)
Your obligations
- You may need to promptly provide extra information so we can continue assessing. This may include evidence to support your request to classify your freight as urgent.
Document assessment outside business hours
The departments business hours are 6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). You can request to have import documents assessed outside of business hours, (noting you must submit the ‘Request to have import documents assessed outside business hours’ form by 11am on the business day that falls before you require the document assessed).
Note: Overtime charges are applicable for these assessments in accordance with the Charging Guidelines.
Further information
For further information about this Import Industry Advice Notice, please contact the department on 1800 900 090 or email importassessment@aff.gov.au