11 April 2023
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders associated with the biosecurity clearance of sea freight containers imported into Australia that are destined for unpack in a rural location. This includes customs brokers, importers and biosecurity industry participants (BIPs) that operate an approved arrangement site and hold approval for class 14.4 rural tailgate inspection.
What has changed?
To simplify industry interaction with the department and reduce processing times new reporting functionally is now available in the Biosecurity portal (the portal), allowing rural tailgate inspection results to be lodged online. The portal provides live verification of the data entered to identify any errors immediately and provides the user with a wholistic view of their class 14.4 directions and status. Detailed Instruction material on how to lodge via the portal has been published on the department's website.
While the portal is the preferred method of submission, the current processes of using the ‘rural tailgate container inspection’ PDF form or submission via a 3rd party application will also continue for a period.
As there are now multiple options to submit container inspection results, it is important that BIPs do not submit their inspection information via more than one method. Doing so will cause unnecessary errors and delays in container inspection records being finalised and change in ICS status.
All class 14.4 BIPs have been notified regarding the changes to their approved arrangement to permit the use of the portal for reporting container inspection outcomes.
Further information
- An online guide on how to use the biosecurity portal to submit container inspection results can be found at: agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/arrival#rural-tailgate-inspection
- General information on Biosecurity Portal can be found on the department's website
- Class 14.4 approved arrangement conditions can be found at: agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/arrival/arrangements/requirements.
- General information on RTG inspections can be found at: agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/arrival
- If further information is required about class 14.4 contact: seacargopolicy@aff.gov.au