Alerts

This alert is to inform importers and other users of BICON of upcoming changes to the conditions in the BICON case for ‘Logs, log cabins and Oversize timber’ and ‘Timber and timber products’ to come into effect from 17 March 2018

What is changing?

Offshore heat treatment requirements for logs, log cabins and oversize timber will be changed to be more consistent with requirements for timber and timber products on other pathways.

Logs, log cabins and oversize timber goods that arrive without prior departmental-approved treatment or without a departmental-approved arrangement for onshore treatment will not be offered onshore treatment options on arrival. These goods will be re-exported, or sent for voluntary disposal, at the importer’s expense. These changes are necessary due to the unacceptable biosecurity risk of these goods if they are imported without meeting import conditions.

Importers are advised that the following two new import permit pathways will be created for Logs, log cabins and Oversize timber:

1) An import permit pathway that allows importers to pre-arrange onshore treatment of goods on arrival in Australia at a suitable Approved Arrangement facility.

2) An import permit pathway to enable importers to apply for departmental consideration of alternative pre-shipment treatments, other than the existing pre-approved treatments listed in the Logs, log cabins and Oversize timber BICON case. Proposed alternative pre-shipment treatments will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

All non-commercial logs, log cabins and oversize timber, unless imported for non-commercial use through the mail or as passenger baggage, will need to meet commercial import conditions that will be found in the Logs, log cabins and Oversize timber BICON case.

Import conditions for non-commercial logs, log cabins and oversize timber imported through the mail or as passenger baggage will be found in the Timber and timber products BICON case.

It is recommended that importers “Follow” these cases to review the import conditions and onshore outcomes, if they intend to import goods under these cases after they come into effect.

For further information, please contact Plant Import Operations by phone: 1800 900 090 or by email: imports@agriculture.gov.au.