Changes
Improvements to CBIS for breaded, battered or crumbed prawns and highly processed uncooked prawns
Effective from 18 November 2024New CBIS direction issued when consignment lines are not selected for inspection
The department has improved one of the directions issued by the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) for par-cooked breaded, battered and crumbed prawns (BBC prawns) and highly processed uncooked prawns into dumplings, spring rolls or dim sum type product (HP prawns).
From 18 November 2024, importers and brokers will notice a new direction issued when eligible lines of HP prawns or BBC prawns have not been selected for inspection. Instead of receiving a 'CBIS – documentation' direction, you will receive a 'Movement withheld - CBIS Pending documentation' direction.
The issued 'Movement withheld - CBIS Pending documentation' direction provides clearer guidance on next steps in the biosecurity clearance process and outlines the relevant provisions of the Biosecurity Act 2015. Further directions or notices regarding the goods will then be given by a biosecurity officer.
The new direction also removes document assessments counting towards inspection compliance history in the CBIS. This change will allow risk-based inspection rates to be more accurately targeted, with inspection rates based only on the actual compliance outcomes of inspections. This approach aligns more closely with the continuous sampling plan (CSP) framework that underpins the design of CBIS.
Importers and brokers do not need to do anything differently to meet biosecurity import conditions when importing HP or BBC prawn products. There is no change to the documentation required or the mandatory biosecurity document assessment process. Non-compliant documentation may still result in export or destruction of the goods.
Clearer inspection requirements for HP prawns
In addition to the changes above, import conditions for HP prawns will be improved at the same time to reduce any confusion about inspection requirements. HP prawns are not subject to seals-intact inspections, but the import conditions mistakenly mention seals intact. CBIS has been rectifying this issue by issuing the correct inspection direction for HP Prawns when an inspection is required.
There is no change to the inspection process for HP prawns.
BBC prawns remain subject to seals intact inspections.
Who does this notice affect:
All importers and their agents importing CBIS eligible commodities and any biosecurity operational staff clearing these goods.
What do I need to do?
Brokers and importers will not need to lodge consignments any differently. To qualify for risk-based intervention under CBIS, importers and brokers must continue to:
- import an eligible commodity under an eligible tariff
- answer the profile questions accurately
- lodge the entry in line mode
- hold a valid import permit
- meet import permit conditions for the 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.
Further information:
Where products are eligible for CBIS, this will be specified in the relevant BICON case.
If you require further information on CBIS, please email the CBIS program at CBIS@aff.gov.au. Alternatively, please contact Imports on 1800 900 090 or imports@aff.gov.au.
More information on CBIS is available on the departments CBIS webpages:
This Change applies to the following Cases: