Case Glossary

See Commercially prepared and packaged

See Commercially prepared and packaged

Commercially prepared and packaged goods must contain information about the product either on a label or on commercial documentation accompanying the goods e.g. a commercial invoice.

Handwritten or handmade labels (for example: labels made of fabric/leather/metal/crafty material/handwritten on a label) are not acceptable. Package must be tamper evident or tamper resistant.

The following information must be included:

1. Name or description of the goods,
2. A list of all the ingredients or components (if multiple),
3. Country where the goods were made or produced,
4. The quantity of the package contents (weight, volume, count), AND  

5. At least one of the other components from the below list:

   • Name and address of the manufacturer or supplier of the goods,
   • Serial, batch or lot identification numbers,
   • Branding information (including marks numerals or symbols),
   • Date marking information,
   • Bar codes, Universal Product Codes, and RFID labels,
   • Nutrition information,
   • Directions for use and storage conditions.

Note: Refer to the following attachment for examples of acceptable and unacceptable packaging.

A consignment is considered to be exported either:

1. when it is lodged with the freight forwarder, shipping company/airline, charter operator or an appointed agent in the place of origin, for ultimate destination in an Australian territory
2. when it is shipped on board the vessel for an ultimate destination in an Australian territory, or
3. when it is packed in a container and sealed in preparation for transport for an ultimate destination in an Australia territory.

Goods include:

1. An animal
2. A plant
3. A sample or specimen of a disease agent
4. A pest
5. Mail; and
6. Any other article substance or thing.

Goods does not include ballast water or human remains. It also does not include a conveyance, except in certain circumstances.

The department will assess the application and on the basis of that assessment may decide to grant an import permit subject to any conditions deemed necessary for safe importation, use and disposal of those products.

It should be noted that applying for an import permit does not automatically result in an import permit being issued. The Director of biosecurity or their delegate issues the import permit. You should ensure that an application is submitted for each product type and that the prescribed fee accompanies the import permit application.

An imported good is considered retail packaged if it has been commercially prepared and packaged overseas and is in a final state that requires no further processing, packaging or labelling prior to retail sale or consumer use in Australia.