Cargo Compliance Verification FAQs

Why are my goods being inspected?

Your consignment has been randomly selected for a Cargo Compliance Verification (CCV) inspection. These inspections are conducted on a containerised sea cargo imported into Australia and aim to:

ensure that import controls are operating effectively
provide information on emerging biosecurity risks from commodities which are not typically directed for inspection.

These inspections are also a valuable opportunity to discuss biosecurity requirements with importers and their agents, including those who may have had limited interaction with us.

Our job is to help protect Australia from exotic pests and diseases entering that can harm our food and fibre industries and natural environment.

How do CCV inspections differ to other inspections?

CCV is randomly applied to consignments that would not typically be directed for inspection. This random selection allows us better to understand the broader biosecurity risk associated with sea cargo.

We recognise that your consignment would not usually have been inspected but we will endeavour to minimise disruption to the import process.

No fees or charges will apply for consignments that comply with biosecurity requirements. Fees and charges will only apply where remedial action is required. Standard document processing fees will still apply.

We will seek to conduct inspections at the importer’s premises, or a premises nominated by the importer, at a mutually convenient time.

What are biosecurity officers looking for?

Our officers will be looking for things that pose a biosecurity risk such as soil, animal or plant material, and live animals including insects etc.

They will inspect the commodity, packing materials and cleanliness of the container (both internal and external surfaces).

They will also check that you have the required paperwork.

What if the biosecurity officer finds something?

The action taken by the biosecurity officer will depend on the level of biosecurity risk identified. The issue may be resolved on-site, or the consignment may require re-direction to an Approved Arrangement (AA) site for investigation or treatment. The biosecurity officer will discuss their concerns with you and the options available to you.

Fees and charges will apply if your goods do not comply with import requirements. In instances of significant non-compliance, the department may direct future imports for inspection until a history of compliance has been re-established.

What to consider when booking a CCV inspection time?

When booking a CCV inspection, you need to consider the size of the container and whether the goods are palletised or loose, and the number of staff provided for manual unpacks.

It is also important to allocate time for the biosecurity officer to:

be given a site induction at any non-AA locations
supervise the breaking of the container seal and the full unpack of the selected container
conduct the inspection of the goods, any packaging, and the container, keeping in mind that consignments with more lines require more time.

These considerations will assist the department in managing its workforce and ensure your goods can be inspected in a timely manner.

How do I arrange a CCV inspection time?

The department will contact you or your agent, through the Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS), if your consignment has been selected for inspection and provide you with information about what will happen next.

The following steps will help reduce delays:

When you request an inspection, nominate an agreed inspection time (not less than 2 hours), based on your knowledge of the consignment and how long it will take to unpack and inspect.
The requested container is to be held at the agreed location with seals intact until a biosecurity officer is present to conduct the inspection. All remaining containers in the consignment must remain with seals intact until the requested container is finalised and released.
Arrange for your staff to be available to fully unpack the consignment within the agreed inspection time.
Ensure all required documentation is submitted to the department in a timely manner, and also made available at the inspection (including documentation that specifies the commodities listed on the Full Import Declaration).
Please make sure the work environment is safe for our biosecurity officers and your staff.

For consignments containing imported foods, importers and their agents should be aware that inspection and testing processes required under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS) may still apply after the CCV inspection. Please discuss any IFIS requirements with the department’s bookings officer to ensure that arrangements can be made to coordinate these activities.

More information

Phone 1800 900 090 and ask for your regional CCV team.

For questions about the CCV program, contact general enquires or your local regional office.