Notice to Industry 23/2010

From 1 July 2010, AQIS Cargo Programs will be implementing a range of new and amended initiatives. A summary of these initiatives is provided below along with information on where further details can be found.

Removal of Mauritius from the AQIS Country Action List

As part of the ongoing review of sea cargo risk management strategies this notice is to advise industry, particularly shipping companies and freight forwarders, of changes to the AQIS trial country action list. Mauritius has been removed from the AQIS Country Action List and is exempted from the current trial. Further information is available in Notice to Industry 22/2010.

Changes to import conditions for used vessels with timber in their construction
and fit-outs

A range of risk management strategies are being implemented by AQIS for used vessels entering Australia, either sailed in or imported as cargo, to ensure that the identified quarantine risk of exotic termites and other timber pests entering Australia via this pathway is addressed. The import conditions for used vessels with timber in their construction and/or fit-outs have now been revised and rationalised to ensure national consistency in import conditions between vessels arriving as cargo and vessels sailed in to Australian waters. Further information is available in Notice to Industry 21/2010.

Changes to AQIS clearance procedures for vessels less than 25 metres

A range of risk management strategies are being implemented by AQIS for used vessels entering Australia to ensure that the identified quarantine risk of exotic termites and other timber pests entering Australia via this pathway is addressed. Vessels that are not imported will be issued with a Time Limited Pratique (a period no greater than 12 months) unless they satisfy conditions for importation. Further information is available in Seaports Notice to Industry 05/2010.

Implementation of the Maritime National Coordination Centre & electronic Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report

As of 1 July 2010, the AQIS Seaports Program will commence consolidating all pre-arrival activities for international vessels greater than 25 metres into the Maritime National Coordination Centre (MNCC). The MNCC will be located in the AQIS Adelaide regional office. It will be one point of contact for all AQIS pre-arrival information and direct point of contact for shipping agents, operators and vessels. The introduction of the electronic Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report (eQPAR) for all ports will coincide with the commencement of the MNCC. Further information is available in Seaports Notice to Industry 04/2010.

Introduction of Information Flyers in Air Consignments

AQIS is planning to implement the use of information flyers in air consignments that are processed through the premises of members of the Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers (CAPEC) - DHL, TNT, FedEx and UPS. The intent of these flyers is to provide the consignee with the information regarding the reason for their consignment being opened, information about associated AQIS costs and charges and information about non-AQIS charges. Further information is available in Notice to Industry 20/2010.

Enhancement of Documentation Policies

This notice is to advise that AQIS has engaged with our internal and external stakeholders on recommendations to clarify and simplify the documentation requirements policies in line with AQIS regulations. Many of the recommendations from our key stakeholders have been endorsed and included in the Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy (Version 1.5) and the Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy (Version 1.6). Further information is available in Notice to Industry 19/2010.

Adoption of bark tolerance for imports defined in the wood packaging standard ISPM 15

Following the adoption of the revised version of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No. 15: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (ISPM 15) in April 2009, Biosecurity Services Group (BSG) undertook to review Australia's requirement for bark freedom on solid wood packaging material. From 1 July 2010 Australia will accept solid wood packaging material that is treated and marked as ISPM 15 compliant and meets the bark tolerance requirements defined in the revised ISPM 15 standard. Further information is available in Notice to Industry 18/2010.

Further information?

For further information on any of these issues the full Notices to Industry are available. Full information on the initiatives and contact details are available on each individual Notice to Industry.