Changes

The department is incorporating more animal-based commodities onto the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS).

The CBIS will manage the inspection rates of the following commodity:

1. Tanned hides and skins from all countries

   1.1. Eligible tariff codes 4104, 4105, 4106, and 4302

2. Untanned or untreated hides and skins from New Zealand

   2.1. Eligible tariff codes 4101, 4102, 4103, and 4301

The eligible commodity import pathways are restricted to uses other than animal consumption, environmental purposes, growing purposes or veterinary therapeutic use.

Other import pathways remain unchanged.

What does this mean for my imports:
The CBIS program rewards importers who demonstrate consistent compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements under a risk-based rate of intervention approach (applied at the line level).

This means that if you demonstrate consistent compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements for eligible commodities, you will receive a reduced inspection rate. Compliant importers will benefit from faster clearance at the Australian border and reduced regulatory costs.

Reduction in inspection rates will not take effect immediately as importers will first need to build their compliance history in the CBIS system.

The inspection rate will once again increase if non-compliance is detected. Non-compliances which affect the CBIS referral rate include those identified during either document assessment or inspection. Any failures at initial document assessment eg. missing, non-compliant or expired documentation, will be recorded as a non-compliance in CBIS. After a period of compliance, consignments will then requalify for a reduced rate of intervention.

What do I need to do:
It is not anticipated that brokers will need to lodge consignments any differently.

To qualify for a risk-based intervention under the CBIS, importers and brokers will need to:

• import an eligible commodity under an eligible tariff
• answer any profile questions accurately
• lodge the entry in line mode
• meet both the document and inspection import conditions for their goods.

Please note that if you do not lodge consignments correctly then your entry will be ineligible for any benefits that the CBIS program has to offer.

Please also note:
Goods that qualify for CBIS will still be required to meet other biosecurity and imported food requirements. All imported food must meet the food safety requirements under the Imported Food Control Act 1992 and are monitored through the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. Check the imported food requirements for your food type.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of animal hides and skins, brokers and Pathway Operations Cargo - Assessments and Inspections.

Further information:
More information on CBIS is available on the departments CBIS webpages:

• CBIS for animal based commodities
• CBIS for plant and plant related commodities

If you require further information, please email imports@aff.gov.au and include ‘Biologicals CBIS T2' in the subject line or contact us on 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).