Alerts

This alert is to notify and remind importers of changes to the import conditions of seed arriving through the mail or as passenger baggage and the additional changes as a result of the current trial.

What is the change?

Seed arriving through the mail and as passenger baggage will need to be appropriately identified. This can be done by any of the following:

• Commercial packaging and label with the full botanical name (genus and species).
  

• Commercial invoice listing the full botanical name (genus and species) accompanying the seed.¹
  

• A laboratory report listing the full botanical name (genus and species) accompanying the seed.¹
  

• Commercial supplier’s declaration² listing the full botanical name (genus and species) accompanying the seed.
  

• Phytosanitary certificate listing the full botanical name (genus and species) accompanying the seed.
  

• International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) certificate listing the full botanical name (genus and species) accompanying the seed.
  

• Naktuinbouw Authorised Laboratories (NAL) certificate listing the full botanical name (genus and species) accompanying the seed.
  

¹New option based on trial feedback

²As a result of trial feedback, supplier’s declarations will only be accepted from commercial entities

When will the change occur and what are the interim arrangements?

This change has been in effect for the ‘Permitted seed for sowing’ BICON case (other than the changes based on trial feedback noted above) since 4 December 2017.

The remaining impacted BICON cases (listed below) will be updated 1 February 2018 and will be subject to the following interim arrangements:

• Goods that land in Australian territory prior to or on 31 January 2018 will be allowed entry into Australian territory under the current import conditions applied to them.
  

• Goods that land in Australian territory from 1 February 2018 will be required to meet the above conditions.
  

For in-transit seed, if the seed was shipped prior to the 1 February 2018, seeds may be cleared under the conditions that applied at the time they were shipped. However, commercial documentation must be provided to the department that can verify that the shipping date was prior to 1 February 2018.

Further information

For more information please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or imports@agriculture.gov.au.

Related alerts

Changes to the import conditions of seed arriving through the mail or as passanger baggage

Extension of trial to changes to the conditions of seed arriving via mail or passenger baggage