Case Documentation Requirement

Case: Imported sea-going vessels Effective 23 Apr 2021 to 16 Jun 2021

Documentation Requirements

The information below describes the requirements for documentation presented to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to support the risk assessment of imported goods.

Vessel record

1. Complete - All prescribed information required to be on a document must be present and complete. Additional prescribed information below:
   

   1. The document must contain the vessel name and call sign.
      

   2. The document must detail where the vessel has travelled and indicate where the produce has originated from.
      

2. Legible - All prescribed information required to be on a document must be legible.
   

3. Valid - Many documents, such as import permits, are valid for a certain period. Presented documents must comply with the validity requirements specified for that class of document.
   

4. In English - All information required to be on a document must be in English. Exceptions to this rule include:
   

   1. company letterheads that do not need to be translated into English but must be in English characters.
      

   2. commercial, transport and government certification that are required to comply with international standard formats.
      

   3. signatures and names of individuals.
      

   Where a document cannot be provided in English, an affidavit will be accepted from either:
   

   1. that country’s consulate in Australia.
      

   2. the Australian embassy in the country of origin.
      

   3. a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd.
      

5. Free from erasures and alterations - All prescribed information on the document must be free from erasures and alterations unless endorsed by the issuer of the document. The only acceptable endorsement is a company stamp or seal signed by the company employee (including printed name) or a government stamp or seal signed by a government employee (including printed name) applied adjacent to the alteration.
   

For further information, please refer to the Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy.

Related Information:

• Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy