Import Conditions

Case: Permitted seed for sowing Effective 13 May 2022 to 18 May 2022

Permitted species — Not genetically modified — Other than research end use — Pelleted seed — Not an ornamental flower seed — Seed lot greater than 10 kg in weight — Sampled by ISTA or NAL laboratory

1. The following requirements apply to the specified scientific names which have been assessed as permitted entry into Australian territory without the need for an import permit, treatment, testing or growth and screening in a post-entry quarantine facility.

Warnings and Information Notices


If a plant is permitted at the species level then all subordinate taxa (e.g. varieties, subspecies, forms and subforms.) of that species are also permitted. Similarly, if a plant is permitted at a genus level, then all species are permitted etc.


Where the parents of a hybrid are permitted the hybrid plant may be imported without a separate BICON case. Imported hybrids must be clearly labelled with their full parentage for identification by the department.


If the species you wish to import is not listed but you believe it is a synonym of a permitted species please contact the Client Contact Group Canberra for an assessment.




It is the importer's responsibility to check state and local government requirements to ensure that the seed is permitted entry into that state/territory.




All subordinate taxa (e.g. varieties, subspecies, forms and subforms) of listed species are also permitted.


Hybrids are permitted if all parents used for the hybridisation are listed as permitted. Imported hybrids must be clearly labelled with their full parentage for identification by the department.

Import conditions prior to arrival in Australian territory

2. A Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment import permit is not required, provided that the following conditions are met.

3. Prior to export the goods must be inspected and found free from evidence of any Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern including khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium).

   To demonstrate compliance with this requirement you must present the following on a Phytosanitary certificate:

   The additional declaration “Representative samples were inspected and found free from evidence of any species of Trogoderma (whether live, dead or exuviae) in Australia’s list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern."

Warnings and Information Notices


Attention brokers and importers: Goods exported on or after 28 April 2022 that do not comply with import conditions may be exported or destroyed on arrival in Australia.

For goods exported prior to 28 April 2022, please refer to the import conditions that were effective on the date of export. These conditions can be accessed via the “History tab” of the Case Details column on the right of the screen.

4. The pelleted seed lot must be officially sampled and analysed for purity according to ISTA rules by an ISTA accredited laboratory or a department approved NAL laboratory.
   

   To demonstrate compliance with this requirement you must present the following on an ISTA Orange International Seed Lot Certificate:

   1. A "purity analysis" (i.e. the percentage of pure seed and percentage of other seeds and inert matter).
      

   2. A "determination of number of other seeds", as described in the ISTA international rules for seed testing Manual.
      

   OR

   You must present the following on a NAL quality certificate:

   1. The botanical name (genus and species) of the crop.
      

   2. The lot number.
      

   3. The botanical name and the number of other seeds found per kilogram (any identified genera or species are to be recorded as such).
      

   4. The percentage of any soil found in the sample (soil <0.05% can be recorded as "Trace").
      

   5. If seed is coated:
      

      5.1. record whether seed has been coated (such as seed pellets, encrusted seeds, seed granules, etc.).
      

      5.2. record the weight of lot for raw seed and/or coated seed. If seed is coated and the weight of lot is on raw seed, the weight difference will need to be recorded. Bulk search determined by examination of 7,500 depelleted will need to be recorded.
      

Related Information:

• Website: International Seed Testing Association
• Department approved NAL laboratories

5. Each shipment must be packed in clean, new packaging, clearly labelled with the full botanical name (i.e. genus and species).
   Note: seed (of a single species) are permitted where they are packaged between strips of clear plastic or transparent paper and where the seed can be readily examined by the biosecurity officer.

Warnings and Information Notices


Consignments arriving via international mail that are not correctly labelled with the full botanical name (genus and species) will be directed for immediate destruction (including consignments posted using an international postal Express Mail Service).

6. The pelleted seed must be commercially produced and packaged and the pellet must consist of inert material only.

7. In order to facilitate clearance, airfreight or mail shipments should have all documentation securely attached to the outside of the package, and clearly marked ‘Attention Quarantine’.

8. All consignments imported into Australian territory for all end uses must meet Department standards for seed contaminants and tolerances.

9. These import conditions are applicable to a single species of seed, and seed blends that contain varieties of the same species only.

   For packets of seed containing mixed genera or species, please refer to the Mixed seed for sowing (permitted species) case.

Import conditions on arrival in Australian territory

10. All consignments must be inspected on arrival by a biosecurity officer for freedom from live insects, soil, disease symptoms, contaminant seed, other plant material (leaf, stem material, fruit pulp, pod material, etc.), animal material (animal faeces, feathers, etc.) and any other extraneous contamination of biosecurity concern.

11. Each seed lot is subject to a verification inspection at an approved arrangement site by a biosecurity officer. The biosecurity officer must physically inspect the consignment to reconcile bag markings and line or lot numbers against the certification.
    

    A random sample (the amount to be at the discretion of biosecurity officer) must be drawn from one container/tin/package from each consignment. The sample must be de-pelleted and visually inspected for live insects, signs of disease.

Warnings and Information Notices


The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment reserves the right, at any time, to conduct verification audits of consignments accompanied by ISTA certificates by drawing ISTA samples and submitting them to a Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment approved ISTA accredited seed testing laboratory for analysis.


12. If live insects or other pests are found they will be referred to a Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment entomologist for advice on an appropriate remedial action, which may include treatment (if an appropriate treatment is available), export or disposal.

Warnings and Information Notices


Fumigation can reduce the germination rate of sowing seed. Fumigation should only be undertaken following consultation with a Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment entomologist and with the consent of the importer.


13. If disease symptoms are detected an assessment of the biosecurity risk will be made by a biosecurity plant pathologist to determine the options that may be available to the importer. Options may include further identification, treatment, export or disposal.
    
    Further identification may not result in the release of the goods and may incur substantial additional costs and time delays for the importer. Further identification will only be offered if it is deemed feasible and the importer agrees in writing to accept all costs and risks involved.

14. Following inspection and provided all of the above conditions have been met the consignment may be released from biosecurity control by a biosecurity officer.

Additional information

15. Under the Biosecurity Charges Imposition (General) Regulation 2016 and Chapter 9, Part 2 of the Biosecurity Regulation 2016, fees are payable to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for all services. Detail on how the department applies fees and levies may be found in the Charging guidelines.

16. In addition to the conditions for the goods being imported, non-commodity concerns must be assessed including container cleanliness, packaging and destination concerns, and may be subject to inspection and treatment on arrival. Please refer to the Non-Commodity Cargo Clearance BICON case for further information.

17. If you are unable to meet the above import conditions and you believe that the biosecurity risk of your goods can be managed in an alternative way, you may apply for an import permit which will be assessed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment prior to the importation of goods into Australia.

    Note that an import permit will only be issued if biosecurity risks can be managed to an acceptably low level. You will need to provide information with your permit application to demonstrate equivalence with the conditions outlined above.

    An import permit may be obtained by submitting an import permit application to the department (use the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom of this page).