Alerts

The purpose of this notification is to advise stakeholders of a new import pathway that will be implemented to facilitate the import of medicinal cannabis plant parts other than seed products. In the situation that the product cannot meet the standard import conditions (i.e. phytosanitary inspection and certification or irradiation prior to export), the importer may apply for an import permit as an alternative option. The department will assess the manufacturer’s processing and exportation processes and decide whether the product can meet proposed permit conditions.

When will these changes commence:
From 5 April 2024.

Background:
As per the current BICON conditions, medicinal cannabis plant parts other than seed are required to be subjected to either phytosanitary inspection and certification or irradiation prior to export. However, the department realises that under certain circumstances there are practicality issues with arranging timely phytosanitary inspection and irradiation is not feasible in some countries. Since medicinal cannabis products are generally of high value, in good quality, and of high compliance, it is believed that the khapra infestation risk can be well addressed via assessing the manufacturing and exporting process during the assessment of permit applications.

Who does this affect:
Importers (and their customs brokers) of medicinal cannabis plant parts other than seed products and department staff.

Further information:
Please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or email imports@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email ‘Plant Tier 2 – Plant products for human consumption’).