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Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Arrival of goods in Australia
  5. Clearance and inspection

Sidebar first - Import

  • Arrival of goods in Australia
    • Clearance and inspection
      • Abandoned goods notice
      • Air courier fees
      • Cargo compliance verification
      • Documentary requirements for imported goods
        • Lodgement of import documentation via email
        • Entity Identifier (AEI)
      • Clearance of cargo containers
      • Container and break bulk discharge
        • Notification form for container and break bulk arrival/s
      • Request for inspection form
      • Request for permission to dispose of goods/conveyance
    • Approved arrangements
      • Automatic Entry Processing (AEP)
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        • Responsibilities of AA site where imported biologicals are used in vivo
        • Where to get a QAP/in-vivo application form
      • Conditions for operating approved arrangements
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        • Broad spectrum disinfectants and sanitisers for use in approved arrangements
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    • Check cargo, containers and vessels for pests
      • Asian gypsy moth
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Clearance and inspection of goods

​​Cargo arriving in Australia can often be cleared by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment using declarations and information provided by the importer. To decrease the likelihood that your goods will need to be opened and inspected, provide all required documents that need to accompany your goods.

The department will issue the importer with a directive that goods are released from biosecurity control or if any actions are required, e.g. inspection, treatment, isolation, hold pending further information or insect identification. For further information on the department’s approach to imported cargo, view the Imported Cargo Compliance factsheet.

Inspection

Inspection of goods and containers may be required:

  • on arrival at the seaport or airport of first entry
  • at a third party site that has been approved by the department.

Fees generally apply to inspections performed by the department.

All break bulk or goods transported without a container, is inspected as it is unloaded from the transporting vessel.

International repositioned empty shipping containers are managed through Class 2.6 Empty shipping container parks.

Some goods will be randomly selected for inspection by the department, as part of the Cargo Compliance Verification Scheme. This verification is randomly applied to consignments that would not typically be directed for inspection. No inspection fees will apply to these consignments if the inspection confirms the consignment complies with biosecurity requirements.

Booking an inspection

The department is progressively launching the Biosecurity Portal that allows the Australian importing industry to conveniently book and manage inspection bookings in a self-serve online location at any time.

Clients in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, North Territory and the A.C.T. are now able to submit their import inspection booking requests via the Portal.

From 23 May 2022 importers, customs brokers, and Approved Arrangements, requesting inspections at sites in Western Australia will also be able to use the Portal.

It will be deployed in Victoria in the coming months and clients will be advised via an Industry Advice Notice.

Should you still need to request an appointment for an import inspection using the manual form, or need to book an inspection at a site in Victoria, please complete the request for inspection form and email it to the department in the region where the cargo is being held.

Arrangements with the department

The department enters into arrangements for third parties to supply biosecurity services to importers of goods when they arrive in Australia.

Approved Arrangements include:

  • Approved arrangements sites
  • biosecurity waste management services
  • Compliance agreements (cargo and containers).

Approved Arrangement sites are premises where post-entry biosecurity activities and treatments may be performed on goods, animals and plants. Approved Arrangements are categorised according to the type of commercial operations being undertake​n and the various biosecurity activities that are authorised to take place at these facilities.

The department provides a list of onshore treatment providers.

Export or destruction

Goods that do not meet import requirements and cannot be treated are directed for export or disposal at the importer’s expense.

If the owner elects to dispose of goods and/or a conveyance, the Request for permission to dispose of goods/conveyance form must be completed.

​

Contacts

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Last updated: 16 May 2022

© Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.