Mandatory government certification is needed to import:
- beef and beef products
- bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products (from 9 November 2023)
- human milk and human milk products
- raw beef and beef products
- raw milk cheese
This is required to provide assurance that the food safety risks are being managed.
All biosecurity import conditions must be met before food safety requirements apply. Check our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
How to apply
Countries wanting to export these foods into Australia must apply to do so. Read about how to apply and the assessment process.
For beef and beef products, only countries with a satisfactory BSE risk status can apply. The BSE risk status is assessed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
How to lodge a foreign government certificate
You must declare your certificate when you lodge a Full Import Declaration (FID).
When lodging a FID, use the correct document code and certificate number. Look at the relevant food requirements to find the document code. You will find the certificate number on your foreign government certificate.
The certificate must meet our minimum documentary and import declaration requirements.
See lodging declarations and documentation for imported food.