Who does this notice affect?
Importers of geotextile products and their customs brokers.
What has changed?
The import conditions for geotextile products are changing on 18 October 2023. The changes will consist of the following:
The ‘Geotextiles for bioremediation’ BICON case will be renamed to ‘Geotextiles’. This change will clarify that the scope of the import conditions in the BICON case covers only geotextile products imported for erosion control, weed suppression and landscaping that are made from permitted plant fibre species. Import conditions for bioremediation products have not changed and will continue to be found in the ‘Bioremediation products’ BICON case.
To confirm the identification of these goods and their intended end use as geotextile products, the botanical or common name of the plant material AND the intended end use will need to be presented at the assessment stage, prior to the goods being directed for mandatory inspection. Currently, documentation that identifies the goods and the intended end use of the goods is only required at the time of mandatory inspection. This change will ensure that onshore clearance delays will be avoided.
Goods that arrive in Australia on or after the date that import conditions are changed must comply with the new conditions.
Further information
Please consult the current BICON case ‘Geotextiles for bioremediation’ for a BICON alert that details the intended changes.
Please contact the department by the following ways:
- Email imports@aff.gov.au (please use the subject ‘Plant Tier 2 – geotextiles import conditions’).
- Phone (from within Australia): 1800 900 090
- Phone (from outside Australia): + 61 3 8318 6700