Import Conditions

Case: Camellia sinensis seed for sowing Effective 10 Nov 2022 to 23 Nov 2022

1. The following import requirements apply to Camellia sinensis (and accepted synonyms Camellia sinensis var. assamica, Camellia sinensis var. sinensis , Thea sinensis).



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.

Import conditions prior to arrival in Australian territory

2. Prior to the importation of goods into Australian territory, 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).



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. Prior to export the goods must be inspected and found free from evidence of any Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern including khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium).

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

   The additional declaration “Representative samples were inspected and found free from evidence of any species of Trogoderma (whether live, dead or exuviae) in Australia’s list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern."



Attention brokers and importers: Goods exported on or after 28 April 2022 that do not comply with import conditions may be exported or destroyed on arrival in Australia.

For goods exported prior to 28 April 2022, please refer to the import conditions that were effective on the date of export. These conditions can be accessed via the “History tab” of the Case Details column on the right of the screen.

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



Consignments arriving via international mail that are not correctly labelled with the full botanical name (genus and species) will be directed for immediate destruction (including consignments posted using an international postal Express Mail Service).

5. 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’.

6. All consignments imported into Australian territory for all end uses must meet Department standards for seed contaminants and tolerances.

7. 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.

Import conditions on arrival in Australian territory

8. All consignments must be inspected on arrival by a biosecurity officer for freedom from 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.

9. Consignments may require ISTA testing.

   Seed lots 10 kg or less:

   The seed lot must be thoroughly inspected by a biosecurity officer for the presence of live insects/snails, disease symptoms and contamination (contaminant seed, soil particles, and animal and plant material). Seeds should be inspected both visually with a hand lens and sieved to assess contamination.

   If contamination is found, a sample must be drawn in accordance with ISTA procedures and submitted to a department approved seed purity testing laboratory for analysis. Consignments must be held under quarantine pending results of the analysis. Alternatively, the importer may choose to export or dispose of the consignment at their expense.

   Seed lots greater than 10 kg:

   The seed lot must be sampled by a biosecurity officer in accordance with ISTA procedures and the sample(s) forwarded to a department approved seed purity testing laboratory for analysis. The consignment and sample should be inspected for disease symptoms and the presence of live insects/snails. Consignments must be held under quarantine pending results of the analysis. Alternatively, the importer may choose to export or dispose of the consignment at their expense.



If the ISTA testing results confirm that the contamination exceeds Department standards for seed contaminants and tolerances, the importer will be given the option to have the seed cleaned at an approved arrangement site (AA site), exported or disposed of.


Any seed that requires cleaning must be re-sampled by a biosecurity officer (and tested if appropriate) to ensure that the contamination has been removed or reduced to an acceptable level.


10. The seed must be treated with a copper based seed fungicide containing 0.25% copper oxychloride.



All treatments must be performed at an approved arrangement site (AA site) by an authorised person under a process management system approved arrangement with the department, or under the supervision of a biosecurity officer.


Related Information:

• Rationale: Seed treatment

11. If live insects or other pests are found they will be referred to a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry entomologist for advice on an appropriate remedial action, which may include treatment (if an appropriate treatment is available), export or disposal.



Fumigation can reduce the germination rate of sowing seed. Fumigation should only be undertaken following consultation with a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry entomologist and with the consent of the importer.

12. If disease symptoms are detected an assessment of the biosecurity risk will be made by a biosecurity plant pathologist to determine the options that may be available to the importer. Options may include further identification, treatment, export or disposal.
    
    Further identification may not result in the release of the 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.

13. Following treatment, provided all of the above conditions have been met, the consignment may be released from biosecurity control by the biosecurity officer.

Additional information

14. 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.

15. 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.