Shipping Industry Advice Notices07-09

Advice to Agents 07/09

Final changes to recycling as an AQIS approved option

Shipping Agents/Operators:

This Advice to Agents supersedes the previous Advise to Agents (04/09 & 06/09)

This Advice to Agents supersedes the previous Advise to Agents (04/09) of 8 December 2009 and 06/09) of 22 December 2009.

The conditions for the importation of timber packaging, dunnage,metal -including waste and scrap and packaging for general use are covered by the Import Conditions Database (ICON). These conditions continue to prevail.

The importation of glass and plastics receptacles are not covered by conditions specified within the ICON database.  AQIS Seaports Program has now received the required scientific advice concerning the importation of glass and plastic materials. Glass and plastic materials separated from general vessel waste can be recycled in accordance with the conditions set out below:

All glass and plastic material that is to be recycled is to be washed and clean to remove biological material and any other material that may be attractive to animals or insects. All materials to be recycled are to be inspected by AQIS to ensure all Biosecurity Risk Material has been removed. In the event that goods for recycling are not cleaned to the appropriate standard they may be either:

1. disposed of as quarantine waste
2. re washed and re inspected by AQIS; or 
3. contained in accordance with current waste management requirements but conveyed for treatment at an AQIS Quarantine Approved Premise (QAP) and treated by autoclave or steam sterilisation in line with standing requirements. Once treated these materials can be entered into a domestic recycling process.

Where a physical inspection is required to ensure compliance with AQIS requirements applicable charges are to be levied.
 
In addition, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and AQIS ‘ Form 44 ’ is required to be completed prior to the goods (other than cargo) being landed. 

As per previous advice, recycling of any other materials or waste will cease from 1 January 2010.

The recycling of any other materials or waste will cease from 1 January 2010. My apologies for any disruption caused. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any additional information.

Wayne Terpstra
National Program Manager- Seaports

24 December 2009