Import Conditions

Case: Aquatic animals for zoological purposes Effective 24 Aug 2019 to 21 Nov 2019

1. Importation is only permitted into a zoo, aquarium or wildlife park 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. 1. The Department of Agriculture must be given at least 3 days notice of the consignment arriving into Australian territory. Notification should be provided via facsimile and/or via email, addressed to the department's office in the state where the imported animals will be held under biosecurity control. Contact details are available on the department's website.
      

   2. Notification must include:
      2.1. The Department of Agriculture Import permit number.
      2.2. Date and estimated time of arrival.
      2.3. Flight number.
      2.4. Exporter name and country.
      2.5. Consignment list.
      

   3. The inspecting biosecurity officer must be advised of the entry number prior to inspection.
      

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

   5. The person in charge of the goods must make an appointment for inspection of the imported animals and documentation by the department. The person in charge of the goods may be required to be present at this inspection. The consignment will be held by the department until completion of inspection. Fees are payable to the department for all services.
      

   6. Consignments must be addressed and sent to the department at the port of arrival.
      

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

   8. Consignments that do not meet the Department of Agriculture import conditions will remain in biosecurity control, be exported or disposed of without recompense.
      

   9. A declaration by the owner of the export facility or exporter, must accompany each consignment, and must:
      9.1. be written in English, and a language understood by the exporter or owner of the export facility.
      9.2. meet all requirements of the “declaration” section of these conditions.
      9.3. provide a list of the individual box or carton identification numbers, and the scientific name, common name and number of aquatic animals corresponding to each box or carton of the consignment.
      9.4. contain the shipping invoice number and the Department of Agriculture import permit number.
      9.5. include the name and address of the exporter including phone number, fax number and e-mail address.
      9.6. include the name and address of the person in charge of the goods.
      9.7. include the number/markings of the transport seal (if applicable).
      

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 an Owner/exporter declaration:

   Evidence that all of the requirements on the owner/exporter declaration have been met.
   

Warnings and Information Notices


In addition to meeting the department’s Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy, the owner/exporter declaration must comply with the following:


1. The declaration must provide a list of the individual box or carton identification numbers, and the scientific name, common name and number of aquatic animals corresponding to each box or carton of the consignment.
   

2. The document must contain the shipping invoice number.
   

3. The document must contain the Department of Agriculture import permit number.
   

4. The document must include the number/markings of the transport seal (if applicable).
   

5. The document must contain the name of exporter. The exporter's name combined with the person in charge of the goods name may be used as the consignment link.
   

6. The document must contain the address of the exporter. Where applicable it should also include the State or Territory and the postcode.
   

7. The document must contain the telephone number of the exporter.
   

8. The document must contain the fax number of the exporter.
   

9. The document must contain the email address of the exporter.
   

10. The document must contain the name of the importer. The exporter's name combined with the importer's name may be used as the consignment link.
    

11. The document must contain the address of the person in charge of the goods.
    

Related Information:

• Declaration: Owner/exporter declaration for the importation of (species name)
• DeptAg: Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy

5. Pre arrival quarantine requirements for the importation of live aquatic animals

   1. All aquatic animals in the consignment must be packaged in leak-proof bags/containers.
      

   2. All inner bags/containers must be completely transparent to enable proper inspection and identification of species of aquatic animals.
      

   3. Bags/containers must not contain unapproved plant material, pests, other aquatic animals or non-permitted species.
      

   4. The bags must be placed within polystyrene boxes or cartons fitted with a plastic lining. Each box or carton must be clearly identified as a part of a consignment and be individually identified.
      

   5. The consignment must be accompanied by documents that include the identification number of each box or carton, and the scientific name and common name on each box.
      

   6. Consignment may not be moved until directed by a biosecurity officer.
      

6. Post arrival quarantine requirements for the importation of live aquatic animals

   1. On arrival at the first point of entry, a biosecurity officer will inspect the consignment to ensure that the conditions on the import permit have been met. If the inspection is completed satisfactorily, the Department of Agriculture will order the animals into quarantine.
      

   2. Following the satisfactory completion of the inspection the aquatic animals must be transported directly to the approved arrangement site (AA site) listed on the import permit (AA class 7.9). Imported animals and all progeny must remain in the AA site for the duration of their lives.
      

   3. On arrival at the AA site the transport containers and all material contained must be either:
      3.1. disposed of by autoclave or incineration, or  
      3.2. disinfected with sodium hypochlorite or Virkon to Department of Agriculture requirements.
      

   4. Biological waste and wastewater must be disposed of in accordance with the AA site operating procedures.
      

   5. All non-disposable equipment within the AA site must be disinfected in accordance with the AA site operating procedures.
      

   6. All in-contact animals must remain in the AA site and become subject to these conditions.
      

7. 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.

8. 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.