Import Conditions

Case: Solanum tuberosum seed for sowing Effective 13 Jan 2021 to 05 Mar 2021

1. Only Solanum tuberosum is a permitted species for this import pathway.



All subordinate taxa (e.g. varieties, subspecies, forms and subforms) of listed species are also permitted.


Hybrids are permitted if all parents used for the hybridisation are listed as permitted. Imported hybrids must be clearly labelled with their full parentage for identification by the department.


2. 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 (use the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom of this page).



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.


3. Seed must be free of live insects, soil, disease symptoms, contaminant seed, other plant material (leaf, stem material, fruit pulp, pod material, etc.), animal material (animal faeces, feathers, etc.) and any other extraneous contamination of biosecurity concern.

4. Each shipment must be packed in clean, new packaging, clearly labelled with the full botanical name (i.e. genus and species).

5. Airfreight and mail shipments must be addressed in the following manner:

   Importer’s Name
   C/O- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Post Entry Quarantine Facility - Plant Facility
   135 Donnybrook Road
   Mickleham VIC 3064

6. In order to facilitate clearance, airfreight or mail shipments should have all documentation securely attached to the outside of the package, and clearly marked ‘Attention Quarantine’.

7. On arrival in Australian territory, all consignments must be forwarded directly to the nominated post entry quarantine facility.
   Note: For material requiring movement to an interstate facility, consignments must be presented to a biosecurity officer to confirm that the material is contained and securely packaged, before movement can occur.

8. If plant material arrives direct to the importer without the correct biosecurity direction it is their responsibility to secure the material and contact the department to ensure all requirements are met (e.g. inspection, treatments and growth in quarantine).

9. All plant material must be grown and disease screened/tested at the government post entry quarantine facility. The importer is responsible for making a booking at the facility to confirm all arrangements, including space availability and number of plants, prior to the plant material arriving in Australia.

   Name of facility	Contact details for lodging a booking
   Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Post Entry Quarantine Facility, Mickleham, VIC	Bookings are made online through the Post Entry Biosecurity System. Email: PEQservices@agriculture.gov.au Phone: 1800 900 090



The importer is responsible for contacting the facility to confirm all arrangements, including space availability and number of plants, prior to the plant material arriving in Australian territory. Importers must clearly nominate on the import permit applications the facility that their material is to be sent to.


10. There are scheduled fees associated with the growth of nursery stock in an Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment post entry quarantine facility, which must be met by the importer. Refer to the department's Charging guidelines for further information.

11. On arrival at the post entry quarantine facility, all consignments must be inspected by the biosecurity officer for freedom from live insects, live snails, soil, disease symptoms and any other extraneous contamination of biosecurity concern.

12. Prior to sowing all seeds require mandatory treatment in accordance with the following:

    Surface sterilised with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 minutes, rinsed and dried and then dusted with Ridomil® seed fungicide.

13. Seed must be grown in closed quarantine for a minimum of 6 months for visual screening and pathogen screening as outlined in the table below:

    Plant pathogen type	Mandatory testing ¹
    	Electron microscopy	Herbaceous indexing	PCR
    Viroids			1 test
    Viruses	1 test	2 tests ²	5 tests

    ¹ Additional testing of symptomatic plants may include culturing, microscopy and molecular testing.
    ² Herbaceous indexing is performed using Chenopodium amaranticolor and C. quinoa.

14. If live pests, disease symptoms or nematodes are detected at inspection or during the post entry quarantine period, the consignment will be placed on hold. An assessment of the biosecurity risk will be made by a biosecurity plant pathologist or entomologist to determine the options that may be available to the importer. These options may include any one of the following:

    1. appropriate risk mitigation measures (at the importer’s expense and risk) which may include further identification by the department or external service providers, treatment or growth in post entry quarantine, or
       

    2. exportation, or
       

    3. disposal.
       

    Further identification may not result in the release of goods and may incur substantial additional costs and time delays for the importer. Further identification will only be offered if it is deemed feasible and the importer agrees in writing to accept all costs and risks involved.

15. No material will be released from biosecurity control until all testing and screening procedures have been completed and the material is screened for, and found negative of, biosecurity pathogens.

16. 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.

17. 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.