21 November 2018
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to importers of prawns and prawn meat products and associated industry participants and retailers.
What has changed?
All BBC prawns imported into Australia on or after 28 September 2018 must comply with the new import conditions outlined in Biosecurity Advice 2018-15.
Important: The department will only permit the import of par-cooked BBC prawns under the new conditions where:
- Importers hold a valid import permit for the product; and
- Imported consignments are accompanied by official government health certification that meets the new par-cooked import conditions.
To date, the following trading partners have advised that they can supply health certificates that meet the new par-cooked BBC prawns to Australia:
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- China
- Denmark
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- United States of America
- Vietnam
Importers are responsible for ensuring that health certification meets Australia’s import conditions. Importers seeking assurance their health certification meets the new import conditions can supply a copy to Imports for assessment and advice prior to the goods being sent to Australia.
BBC prawns that arrive with incorrect health certification will not be permitted entry and must be re-exported or destroyed.
Further information
The department will provide further Industry Advice Notices when the Competent Authorities of additional countries confirm that they can meet Australia’s new import conditions for par cooked BBC prawns.
The new import conditions for BBC prawns can be found at Biosecurity Advice 2018-15 and on the department’s uncooked prawn webpage.
If you require further information please call 1800 900 090 or email Imports.
Biosecurity import conditions are available on the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions database (BICON).