Alerts

The department is initiating a pilot program under the compliance-based inspection scheme for lemons and limes sourced from the USA. Under this program, eligible imports will qualify for reduced inspections on arrival once an importer has established a history of compliance by passing five consecutive inspections.

Products eligible for the trial

Lemons and limes eligible for participation in the reduced-inspection pilot must:

• be imported under the tariff code 0805.50.00
  

• not subjected to Offshore Pre-shipment Inspection (OPI)
  

• be grown, harvested and exported from USA
  

• be lodged in line mode into the ICS; and
  

• be imported through sea or air freight.
  

How to participate in the trial

The pilot program will be automatically implemented and it presents an opportunity for compliant importers, utilising clean pathways to be rewarded with fewer inspections on arrival.

Brokers will be required to lodge the consignment in “Line Mode” into the ICS. Importers and exporters are not required to do anything additional.

The department’s Assessment Services Group (ASG) and Operational Science Services (OSS) will ensure that the eligible product is recorded and actioned appropriately.

How the reduce inspection rate will be applied

To qualify for a reduced rate of inspection, importers must initially pass 5 consecutive inspections on the eligible products described above. Once an importer has qualified for reduced inspections, subsequent consignments will each have a one-in-four (25%) chance of being selected for inspection. Consignments that have qualified for this reduced rate and are not selected for inspection will be released following the documentation assessment. If any consignment fails an inspection, the importer will have to pass another 5 consecutive inspections before requalifying for the reduced inspection rate.

More information for clients

The program will commence in November 2016

See the compliance-based inspection webpage below for more information:

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/plant-products/risk-return/trial-usa-lemons-limes