Proclaimed and non-proclaimed ports

Under section 20 of the Quarantine Act 1908 masters of vessels entering Australian ports must enter at a proclaimed first port of entry as listed in the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 unless the master or agent has been granted permission by AQIS to enter a non-proclaimed first port under section 20AA of the Quarantine Act 1908.

Proclaimed ports

Proclaimed ports are usually major seaports with the necessary infrastructure in place to manage quarantine pest and disease risks associated with vessels and the cargo or passengers they may be carrying.

Ports which are proclaimed first ports of entry for vessels are listed in Part 2, section 1.8 of the Quarantine Proclamation 1998. Vessels may enter these ports as a first port of entry after submitting a Quarantine Pre-Arrival report (QPAR) to the Maritime National Co-ordination Centre (MNCC) by email or fax and been granted an Approval to Berth (ATB).

Vessels that have been granted ‘Pratique’ and intend to visit proclaimed ports as subsequent ports during their voyage do not require further permission from AQIS to do so. However, masters of vessels are legally obligated to notify AQIS of any changes to the vessel health status prior to arrival at the next port of call.

Non-proclaimed ports

Ports which are not listed as proclaimed first ports of entry are classed as non-proclaimed ports for quarantine purposes. These ports may not have suitable facilities or infrastructure to meet quarantine requirements. Agents or masters of vessels intending to visit non-proclaimed ports as a first port of entry must apply to AQIS for section 20AA permission to enter that port.

Vessels intending to visit non-proclaimed ports as subsequent ports of call (not first ports of entry) must apply to AQIS for permission to enter a non-proclaimed port under section 33 of the Quarantine Act 1908.

Permission to enter non-proclaimed ports

Instructions to applicants and application forms for sections 20AA and 33 permissions are available on the AQIS website.

Completed applications must be submitted to the MNCC at least 10 working days prior to arrival at the first non-proclaimed port. Cruise and naval vessels may submit their applications and itineraries earlier.

Vessels granted permission to enter a non-proclaimed port must also submit a QPAR to the MNCC 96-12 hours prior to arrival at the first port of call. Failure to comply with this requirement is a breach of the Quarantine Act 1908.

For an overview of the quarantine management process for commercial vessels and non-commercial vessels to enter ports in Australia go to:

• Commercial Vessel Pre-arrival, arrival and inspection, and post arrival processes
• Non-Commercial Vessel - Arrival, inspection and surveillance processes

Landing of Imported Animals, Plants or Other Goods at a Non-Proclaimed Port

Application for Permission to land Animals, Plants or Other Goods at a Non-Declared Port (Quarantine Act 1908, Section 20D)

Note: vessels includes both air and sea vessels; ports includes both airports and seaports.

In addition to ensuring that the intended port of entry is a proclaimed first port, vessel masters, owners and agents must also ensure that the intended port of landing is a declared port for the landing of the particular animals, plants or other goods.

First ports of entry and landing places are listed in the Quarantine Proclamation 1998.

If an overseas vessel wishes to land animals, plants or other goods at a place that is not a declared port, the master, owner or agent of the vessel must apply for permission to land the goods.

Applications for permission to land animals, plants or other goods at a non-declared port must be faxed or emailed to the AQIS Sea Cargo Unit at least 10 working days prior to arrival. Failure to do so may result in a delay in the goods being cleared by quarantine. During this delay, the goods may be required to either remain on the vessel or be held in a Quarantine Approved Premises storage area.

In the event that 20D Permission can not be granted, the master, owner or agent of the vessel should consider alternative arrangements, such as:

1. quarantine clearance of the goods at a declared port, prior to moving them to the non-declared port, or
2. quarantine bonding of the goods on board the vessel in circumstances where:
   1. the vessel will be returning overseas, or
   2. the final destination of the goods is a declared port.

Application forms and guide for S20D Permission for animals, plants and other goods to be landed at a place that is not a declared port.