The Australian Quarantine and Inspection service (AQIS) has begun the redevelopment of its Import Conditions (ICON) database system which houses the import conditions for goods entering Australia. Industry has provided some essential input over the past few years.

To help build the new system, users are invited to provide feedback on the current ICON system through an online survey. The survey is anonymous and the results will be consolidated and incorporated into the project's baseline report. The purpose of the current survey is to obtain up to date information that can be used in the development of the current system and to ultimately measure the new system when it comes into operation.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would distribute this email to the relevant person in your organisation for them to participate in the survey. The survey will close on the 20th December 2009. Please click here to link directly to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BLQHB9Q

Further Information about the project:

Industry Representation

To assist AQIS in the redevelopment of ICON, the following industry working groups are being established in consultation with the AQIS/Industry Cargo Consultative Committee (AICCC):

• A third-party software developer working group has been formed, representing software developers that link ICON to in-house systems used by the importing industry.
• An industry and community working group will be established to represent the interests of importers, both occasional and regular; overseas exporters; brokers and freight forwarders; and other ICON users such as quarantine treatment providers.

The New System

The current ICON system will be replaced with one that enables AQIS, industry stakeholders and the public to access import conditions that are accurate, unambiguous and defensible.

The key benefits of the project will be:

• improved consistency and transparency of quarantine decision making
• increased industry compliance with quarantine import requirements
• increased efficiency in permit issuing
• increased efficiency in the clearance of goods

The project will deliver the new IT system in four major software releases with the project scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.

Features of the new ICON system will include the following:

• search by keyword, tariff codes, scientific name and access to search wizard function
• secure online permit application process
• secure online permit tracking process
• the ability to subscribe to automated alerts when there are changes to import conditions
• decision support that filters out irrelevant information to provide the user with the biosecurity conditions specific to their import.

About the Survey

The survey is multiple choice and has comment fields available. The majority of questions require a rating against a statement. The rating options are Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly Disagree and N/A.

If you would like further information or updates during the course of the project please contact: Con.Goletsos@daff.gov.au.

Thanks and regards

Brian Lovell
Chief Executive Officer

Australian Federation of International Forwarders Ltd (AFIF)
Suite 403, Level 3
152 Bunnerong Road
Eastgardens NSW 2036
Tel: (61 2) 9314 3055
Fax: (61 2) 9314 3116