Import Conditions

Case: Biodegradable plant pots and urns Effective 05 Sep 2020 to 31 Oct 2020

1. Prior to the importation of goods into Australian territory, a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 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).
   

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.


2. The goods must be either:
   

   1. subjected to mandatory treatment, pre-shipment with gamma irradiation at the rate of 50kGray, or
      

   2. undergo processing.
      

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

   Details of the gamma irradiation treatment.
   

   OR

   You must present the following on a Manufacturer's declaration:

   1. the botanical and common name of the ingredients
      

   2. processing details of the ingredients such as grinding or milling
      

   3. details of any chemical processes that the ingredients or product have undergone
      

   4. relevant drying details, including specified temperatures and durations involved
      

   5. relevant moulding details, including specified temperatures, durations or pressure involved
      

   6. any other details that demonstrate that the goods have been processed.
      

Warnings and Information Notices


Treatments must be performed in accordance with the approved offshore gamma irradiation treatment providers.


3. If conditions are not met, the consignment will be subject to inspection followed by mandatory gamma irradiation treatment on arrival at the importers expense.

4. All material in the consignment must be thoroughly dried.

5. Any packaging used with the consignment must be clean and new.

6. The goods must be clean and free of contaminant seed, soil, animal and plant debris and other biosecurity risk material prior to arrival in Australian territory.

7. If live insects are found during inspection, the consignment will be:

   1. held pending identification by a Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment entomologist and treated using an appropriate method, or
      

   2. exported, or
      

   3. disposed of.
      

   If other contaminants such as soil, weed seeds, sticks, or faecal matter are found on inspection, the consignment must be held, and the contaminants must be removed or treated via a method approved by the department, if possible. Alternatively, the goods must be exported or disposed of.

8. 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.

9. 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


Goods covered under this BICON case may be subject to the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 and the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment Regulation 2012. It is an offence to import a timber product sourced from an illegal logging activity. Before you import your goods into Australia, refer to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website for information on how to comply with the laws and regulations.