Import Conditions

Case: Captive non-human primates Effective 24 Jan 2020 to 01 Feb 2020

1. Importation is only permitted into a zoo, aquarium, wildlife park or research institution approved under relevant state or territory legislation to hold the species being imported.

2. Prior to the importation of goods into Australia, a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture is required.
   

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

3. Conditions of Administration

   1. It is the person in charge of the goods responsibility to identify and ensure compliance with all requirements of any other regulatory and advisory bodies prior to and after importation.
      

   2. Consignments must be addressed and sent to the Department of Agriculture at the port of arrival.
      

   3. One person in charge of the goods, as listed on the import permit, must be accessible to officers of the department and accept responsibility for ensuring that all import conditions are met, including the inspection by the department.
      

   4. The person in charge of the goods must notify the office of the department in the state of import in writing at least three (3) working days prior to import. The notification must include:
      4.1. The import permit number issued by the Department of Agriculture.
      

      4.2. The entry number.
      

      4.3. A contact number for the person in charge of the goods.
      

      4.4. The flight number.
      

      4.5. The air waybill number.
      

      4.6. The date and estimated time of arrival.
      

      4.7. A list of animals being imported.
      

   5. The person in charge of the goods must make an appointment for inspection of the animal(s) by the department at the port of arrival. The person in charge of the goods may be required to be present at this inspection and provide all veterinary certification.
      

   6. Consignments that do not meet the department's import conditions will either remain in biosecurity control, be exported or be disposed of without recompense.
      

Warnings and Information Notices


For animal and biological import information, contact the Department of Agriculture Import Services Team.


4. Certification requirements
   

   Certification must be provided to verify freedom from disease(s) and specify the health status of each animal.
   

   To demonstrate compliance with this requirement you must present the following on a Veterinary Certificate:

   Evidence that all of the requirements on the veterinary certificate have been met.
   

Warnings and Information Notices


In addition to meeting the department's Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy the veterinary certificate must comply with the following:


1. a certificate must be supplied for each animal.
   

2. the document must be written in English, and a language understood by the official veterinarian of the country of export.
   

3. the document must meet all requirements of the veterinary certification conditions.
   

4. the document must provide all relevant statement/s.
   

5. the document must provide identification of each animal. This includes description, species, sex, age and microchip number with site of implantation.
   

6. the document must detail the name and address of the person in charge of the goods and the exporter.
   

7. the document must include the Department of Agriculture import permit number.
   

8. the document must include the nature and identification of the means of transport.
   

9. the official veterinarian's name, title and contact details must appear on the veterinary certificate.
   

10. the document must be signed, dated and stamped (with the stamp of the government veterinary administration) on each page of the veterinary certificate and all documents e.g. laboratory reports which form part of the extended health certification.
    

11. copies of documents will be accepted which bear the original signature, date and stamp of the official veterinarian.
    

Note: An official veterinarian is a veterinarian authorised by the veterinary administration of the exporting country to perform animal health certification in conformity with the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code.


Related Information:

• OIE: Website homepage
• DeptAg: Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy

5. Transport

   1. Exporters or their agents must have detailed plans to cover procedures including contingency plans, for transporting the animal from pre-export establishment until arrival in Australia.
      

   2. Animals must be consigned to Australia by a route approved by the Department of Agriculture.
      

   3. Animals must travel in a container recommended for that particular species under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations.
      

   4. The use of hay or straw as bedding during transport is not permitted. Treated wood shavings, sterilised peat and soft board can be used.
      

   5. Animals must remain isolated from all animals except those that meet all the conditions described in this import permit, during transport from pre-export establishment until arrival in Australia.
      

   6. Insect netting must be carried on the flight at all times for contingencies. There must be sufficient insect netting to cover all travel containers completely. Insect netting must be in good condition to minimise entry of insect vectors into the travel containers.
      

6. Transit and transhipment

   1. Animals must transit or tranship only at an approved airport. Any transhipment requires the prior approval of the Department of Agriculture. Animals are not to leave the airport and must not be removed from their travel containers during transit or transhipment.
      

   2. Animals must remain on board the aircraft at approved transit airports. Cargo doors can be opened at approved transit airports to allow for unloading or loading of freight. Immediately after the cargo hold doors are closed, a knockdown aerosol insecticide must be sprayed throughout the cargo hold, in the manner recommended by the manufacturer.
      

   3. In cases where animals in travel containers are to be unloaded, before opening the cargo door, the travel containers must be completely covered in netting to prevent insect access to the animals. The netting must remain in place until the animals are reloaded onto an aircraft. Immediately after the animals are reloaded onto an aircraft and the cargo hold doors are closed, a knockdown aerosol insecticide spray must be sprayed throughout the cargo hold in the manner recommended by the manufacturer. The insect netting must not be removed until 30 minutes after spraying.
      

7. Delayed take off and unscheduled landings

   1. Exporters or their agents must have contingency plans for the management of delayed take off and unscheduled landings.
      

   2. If the aircraft lands at any airport other than in an approved country, the Department of Agriculture must be informed immediately and the animal must not proceed to Australia without approval from the Department of Agriculture. The decision as to whether the animal can continue to travel to Australia, and additional biosecurity measures that may be required, will be made by the Department of Agriculture on a case-by-case basis after assessing the risks.
      

8. Arrival in Australia

   1. Importers or their agents must have a plan developed in consultation with the Department of Agriculture to cover post-arrival procedures. The plan must include roles and responsibilities for their staff, vehicles for transporting animals to the approved arrangement site (AA site) and road transport arrangements including contingency plans for vehicle and equipment failures.
      

   2. Vehicles for transporting the animals from the first point of entry to the AA site must be cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of the departmental officer before loading the animals. The department must be advised of the transport route to the AA site.
      

   3. After the animals arrive at an Australian airport they must be transferred in their transport containers onto vehicles, along with personnel and equipment, and proceed directly to the AA site.
      

   4. All biosecurity risk material (e.g. bedding, feed, water and waste material) remaining at the airport must be sealed in bags, ordered into biosecurity control, and disposed of under supervision of the department.
      

   5. All other equipment used during transport that has been in contact with the animal (including the inside of the crate, bedding, waste, water, baggage and personal equipment accompanying personnel) must be cleaned and disinfected under supervision of the department before leaving the airport.
      

9. Post-arrival quarantine

   1. The post-arrival quarantine (PAQ) facility must meet the department requirements for an AA class 7.9 facility.
      

   2. The AA site must be approved by the department before entry of any animal into the AA site.
      

   3. The AA site should be located within a secure part of a zoo, wildlife park or other scientific institution approved under relevant Australian State or Territory legislation to hold the species being imported, separated from public access areas and where it is under regular supervision by a registered veterinarian.
      

   4. The animal must be held in PAQ for at least 30 days. During this time the animal must be isolated from other animals except those that meet all the conditions described in this import permit.
      

   5. All PAQ operations and procedures must follow those outlined for an AA class 7.9 facility and also include:
      

      5.1. A registered veterinarian must inspect the AA site within the 72 hours before entry of any animal to ensure it has been cleaned and disinfectant applied to his/her satisfaction.
      

      5.2. The PAQ period will commence from the time of entry into the facility of the last animal.
      

      5.3. Vehicles for transporting animals must not leave the AA site until thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
      

      5.4. If any animal dies during PAQ, the department must be notified as soon as possible within 48 hours and the animal must undergo a post mortem examination by a registered veterinarian to determine the cause of death.
      

      5.5. The department is to be advised within 48 hours of any disease incident and its outcome.
      

      5.6. Animals must not leave the AA site during PAQ without permission of the department.
      

      5.7. At the satisfactory completion of PAQ, the animal will be released from biosecurity control into premises approved by the appropriate State or Territory governments for the holding of primates.
      

10. 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 for all services. Detail on how the department applies fees and levies may be found in the Charging guidelines.

11. 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


You may require a wildlife trade permit and/or other approvals from the Department of the Environment and Energy. More information is available on the wildlife trade website.