9 June 2023
Who does this notice affect?
All brokers, commercial operators and private importers who lodge a UPE statement (B534 or B615) into the Australian Border Force (ABF) Integrated Cargo System (ICS) or in person to ABF (for private importers).
What has changed?
Previous IIAN 116-2023 advised the electronic referral of UPE consignments from the ICS to the Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS) would be implemented on Saturday 10 June 2023. This notice is to advise this date has been revised to Tuesday 13 June 2023 to minimise interruption to the change over the course of the weekend and King’s Birthday public holiday.
This update also provides crucial information regarding the allocation of fees and charges in AIMS when messaging is received from the ICS:
- The responsible party nominated in ICS will be billed for biosecurity charges associated with clearing the consignment.
- If the responsible party should not be billed for the resulting charges, the department should be notified of who is responsible for payment of biosecurity fees.
- If the responsible party/nominated client is an approved AIMS Account Client with the department, they will be exempt from the requirement to make upfront payments.
- If the responsible party/nominated client is not an approved AIMS Account Client with the department, upfront payment is required. Our website provides further information on how to pay.
In line with charging for other cargo types, charging arrangements for all UPE consignments will be aligned with the department’s charging guidelines.
Change Summary:
Through collaboration with the ABF, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is implementing enhancements to improve the UPE process. System enhancements will enable the electronic referral of UPE consignments from the ICS to AIMS, and the automated application of directions.
This electronic referral removes the need for the department to manually generate AIMS entries and apply directions to manage UPE consignments. Clients will also now be able to make booking requests for the inspection of UPEs through the Biosecurity Portal, instead of emailing the department’s booking team.
If you are a broker, your import documents are to be lodged through Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS) using the entry number as provided by ICS or the department. Your entry number is to be used to reference the UPE consignment when making an inspection booking through the Biosecurity Portal.
If you are a commercial operator, private importer/non-broker, there will be no change to current processes at this time.
All UPE consignments will continue to be assessed and inspected (when required) by Biosecurity Officers.
Further information
Information about UPEs can be found on our website: Moving to Australia or importing personal effects/household goods
For further enquiries regarding these UPE changes:
Email: imports@aff.gov.au
Call: 1800 900 090
(+61 3 8318 6700 from outside Australia)
To make an inspection booking request : Biosecurity Portal