Import Conditions

Case: Soil and articles containing soil Effective 16 Nov 2022 to 14 Dec 2022

Soil samples for the isolation and/or culturing of microorganisms, excluding infectious agents

Import conditions prior to arrival in Australian territory

1. Prior to the importation of goods into Australian territory, a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is required.

   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).

Warnings and Information Notices


Important reminder to importers

Goods that require a valid import permit, but arrive without one, including where an import permit application is currently under consideration, will be directed for export from Australian territory or required to be destroyed in an approved manner.

Import conditions after arrival in Australian territory

2. All consignments must be directed to and held at an approved arrangement (AA) site class 5.2, 5.21 or higher.

3. Post entry/end use conditions
   Approved end uses:

   1. in vitro laboratory studies, including the isolation and/or culturing of microorganisms.
      

   Additional written approvals are required prior to the direct or indirect use:

   1. in vivo in laboratory organisms. Laboratory organisms are guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, rabbits or microorganisms contained under laboratory or animal house conditions
      

   2. in plants
      

   3. in non-laboratory organisms e.g. chickens, sheep, cattle
      

   4. as veterinary vaccines and therapeutics
      

   5. in culturing or isolating infectious agents such as viruses and prions.
      

Additional information

4. Commercial administrative conditions
   Documents must be provided with each consignment which:

   1. identify the consignment (if non-personal) e.g. entry number
   2. identify all goods being imported as part of this consignment e.g. invoice or waybill or importer’s manifest
   3. describe the goods being imported (where not clear).
   e.g. 1: Product XRab = Purified protein derived from rabbits
   e.g. 2: Product AX = Synthetic antibiotic
   e.g. 3: Comte = Cheese.

5. 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, Fisheries and Forestry for all services. Detail on how the department applies fees and levies may be found in the Charging guidelines.

6. 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.

Warnings and Information Notices

Where applicable, the importer or end user must comply with:
1. International (e.g. International Air Transport Association) and domestic requirements concerning the safe handling, transport and labelling of biological material
2. AS/NZS 2243 Safety in Laboratories standards
3. Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) requirements
4. The Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA) regulatory scheme.