Import Conditions

Case: Ferrets for research use Effective 04 Aug 2022 to 24 Aug 2022

Import conditions prior to arrival in Australian territory

1. Prior to the importation of goods into Australia, 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).

2. Scope
   These import conditions allow for the importation of multiple consignments of live ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) for research use only at class 5.2 or 5.21 approved arrangement sites.

3. The animals for export and the colony from which they originated must meet the following conditions.

4. Export facility: The animals for export must have been bred and housed for their lifetime in a closed colony within a barrier facility that has been approved by the competent authority of the country of export.

Warnings and Information Notices


A closed colony is one where all animals are bred at the facility with no introductions. A barrier facility is one with a systematic, comprehensive program for prevention of pathogen contamination. The program should include controls for sourcing animals, housing, management, monitoring and corrective action.


5. Source colony: The colony of origin must be housed in accommodation that precludes access by wildlife, incoming rodents and insect vectors, and must be free from infestation with ectoparasites.

6. Isolation: For 30 days prior to export, the animals for export and any animals in contact with them, must have remained isolated from animals not of equivalent health status. New animals must not have been introduced into the isolation unit.

7. During pre-export isolation and for 12 months prior to the date of export, there must have been no clinical evidence of the following diseases or infectious agents in the colony of origin: Aleutian disease, canine distemper, ferret coronavirus and rabies.

8. Aleutian disease: The animals for export must be sourced from colonies tested by PCR with negative results for Aleutian disease virus within the last 12 months.

9. Canine distemper: All animals for export must be fully vaccinated against canine distemper virus at least 14 days before export.

10. Rabies: Either:

    1. The country of export must be free from rabies and the animals for export must have been resident in the country of export for at least 6 months prior to export or since birth.
       OR
       

    2. The animals for export must have been resident in the country of export for at least 6 months prior to export or since birth AND fully vaccinated against rabies (for animals over 3 months of age) with an inactivated rabies vaccine that is valid at the time of export.
       

11. Parasites: The animals for export must be sourced from a colony regularly tested for internal and external parasites, and if found positive must be effectively treated.

12. Pre-export veterinary examination: Within 72 hours prior to leaving the facility of origin for the port of export, each animal for export must be examined by a veterinarian and found to be free from evidence of infectious and contagious disease and ectoparasites, and be fit to travel.

13. Certification requirements
    The permit holder, their agent or any person in charge of the goods must provide evidence about the health status of the live ferrets being imported and the colony from which the ferrets originated.
    

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

    1. Identification of the animals in the consignment, including species, number of animals, sex, age and individual microchip numbers.
       

    2. The Australian import permit number.
       

    3. The name, address and contact person of the facility from which the ferrets originated.
       

    4. The name, address and contact person of the Australian facility into which the ferrets will be imported.
       

    5. The date, signature and stamp of the official government veterinarian.
       

    6. The following declarations:
       6.1. The animals for export have been bred and housed for their lifetime in a closed colony within a barrier facility that is approved by the competent authority of the country of export.
       6.2. The colony of origin is housed in accommodation that precludes access by wildlife, incoming rodents and insect vectors, and is free from infestation with ectoparasites.
       6.3. For 30 days prior to export, the animals for export and any animals in contact with them, have remained isolated from animals not of equivalent health status. New animals have not been introduced into the isolation unit.
       6.4. During pre-export isolation and for 12 months prior to the date of export, there has been no clinical evidence of the following diseases or infectious agents in the colony of origin: Aleutian disease, canine distemper, ferret coronavirus and rabies.
       6.5. Aleutian disease: The animals for export have been sourced from colonies tested by PCR with negative results for Aleutian disease virus within the last 12 months.
       6.6. Canine distemper: All animals for export are fully vaccinated against canine distemper virus at least 14 days before export.
       6.7. Rabies: Either:
       

       1. The country of export is free from rabies and the animals for export have been resident in the country of export for at least 6 months prior to export or since birth.
          OR
          

       2. The animals for export have been resident in the country of export for at least 6 months prior to export or since birth AND fully vaccinated against rabies (for animals over 3 months of age) with an inactivated rabies vaccine that is valid at the time of export.
          

       6.8. The animals for export are sourced from a colony regularly tested for internal and external parasites, and if found positive are effectively treated.
       6.9. Within 72 hours prior to leaving the facility of origin for the port of export, each animal for export was examined by a veterinarian and was free from evidence of infectious and contagious disease and ectoparasites, and fit to travel.
       

    7. The veterinary certificate may be prepared and signed by the export facility veterinarian. It must be dated and countersigned by an official government veterinarian. The original veterinary certificate must accompany the consignment to Australia.
       

Related Information:

• Website: World Organisation for Animal Health

14. Travel to Australia
    The person in charge of the goods must notify the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry office in the state of import in writing at least three (3) business days prior to import. The notification must include:

    1. The import permit number issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
    2. A contact number for the person in charge of the goods.
    3. The flight number.
    4. The air waybill number.
    5. The date and estimated time of arrival.
    6. A list of animals being imported.

15. The person in charge of the goods must make an appointment for the department to inspect the animal(s) and documentation.

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

17. Consignments must be imported as manifested air freight.

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

Import conditions on arrival in Australian territory

19. On arrival in Australia, all animals and documents will be inspected by the department to verify compliance with permit conditions. The permit holder, their agent or a person in charge of the goods may be required to be present at the inspection.

20. The department will hold the consignment until the inspection is complete.

21. Consignments that do not meet the import conditions of the department will either remain under biosecurity control, be exported or disposed of without recompense.

22. Consignments that meet the import conditions will be directed to be held at an AA site listed on the import permit. At the AA site, each animal must have its microchip number scanned and photographic evidence of each microchip number must be emailed to the department to verify that the animals match the health certification. Imported animals and their progeny must not be released from the AA site without written approval from the department.

Additional information

23. 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.

24. 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.