31 March 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Importers and brokers of CBIS eligible:
- Powdered plant products (0904.22.00.05, 0904.22.00.04, 0910.12.00.12, 0910.30.00.03 and 0712.90.90.780)
What has changed?
Removal of the AQIS commodity code “POWD”
The department is improving the CBIS eligibility by removing the ACC code on powdered plant product pathways and replacing it with new profile questions to improve the uptake of consignments qualifying for CBIS. These changes are scheduled to take effect on 3 April 2025.
Use of profile questions to improve CBIS uptake
We have developed new profile questions to support these changes including releasing a new question to support the expansion of some powdered products being scoped for document controlled pathways. A new question will appear for powdered products, imported in less than (<) 500gram retail ready packaging, in preparation for some future changes. The profile questions will split some of the inspected and document assessment pathways and minimise the eligibility of out of scope products.
For eligible powdered plant products (inspected pathways), the following new profile questions will appear:
- Biosecurity question text: BIOSECURITY: ARE THE GOODS DRIED, CRUSHED OR GROUND PLANT MATERIAL (EXCLUDING SEED) IMPORTED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION END USE?
Tariff codes in scope: 0904.22.00.04, 0904.22.00.05, 0910.12.00.12 and 0910.30.00.03
Importer or Importing agents’ response:
Answer Yes, if the goods are eligible for CBIS processing;
Answer No, if the goods are not eligible for CBIS.
- Biosecurity question text: BIOSECURITY: ARE THE GOODS DRIED, CRUSHED OR GROUND GARLIC (greater than 500GRAMS) IMPORTED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION END USE?
Tariff code in scope: 0712.90.90.78
Importer or Importing agents’ response:
Answer Yes, if the goods are eligible for CBIS processing;
Answer No, if the goods are not eligible for CBIS.
Revising the CBIS rates on powdered plant products
We have recently reviewed the powdered product pathway and as a result of improved compliance with the import conditions we are dialling back the rates on this pathway.
The new CBIS risk-based rates are:
Census number: 3
Monitoring or risk-based rate: 10%
Note: The previous rates were set at CN: 5 and MF: 30%
For eligible powdered plant products (document assessed pathways), the following new profile question will appear:
- Biosecurity question text: ARE THE GOODS IN RETAIL READY PACKAGING UP TO OR LESS THAN 500GRAMS, IMPORTED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION END USE?
Tariff codes in scope: 0904.22.00.04, 0904.22.00.05, 0910.12.00.12 and 0910.30.00.03
This question is being established in preparation for CBIS documentation expansion. Note: powdered garlic will not be included as part of the new plant products document trial and will be incorporated later.
What do I need to do?
The change will require importers and brokers to accurately answer one or more profile questions, provide the relevant tariff code, and lodge complete and accurate documents in COLS, when directed. Incomplete information may result in clearance delays and additional charges.
Lodging incomplete documents can also result in the importer receiving a document failure result, which will impact the CBIS compliance counter.
Further information
Subscribe to the relevant BICON case or visit the CBIS webpage.
If you have any enquiries relating to these changes, please contact the CBIS program CBIS@aff.gov.au or imports@aff.gov.au (Tier 2- CBIS) or telephone 1800 900 090.
The department also announces changes on the CBIS webpage.