introduction to known importing country requirements

Known Importing Country Requirements for Dairy Export Documentation

Issue Date: 31/03/09

This document provides the current known importing country requirements for the export of Australian dairy product. These requirements often change and it is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that they are aware of the current requirements. Any variations identified by exporters must be advised to AQIS Dairy Review Unit to enable confirmation of requirements and where possible minimisation of the impact of those requirements. As the requirements of some importing countries often change, exporters are strongly advised to verify certification for all exports with their importers prior to finalisation of sales contracts.

Details of approved endorsements are provided in the individual importing country pages. If alternative endorsements are requested, then please email to determine if and under what conditions the endorsement may be provided.

AQIS adopts the strategy to minimise certification requirements in order to minimise costs associated with exporting as requested during stakeholder consultation recognising that the costs of exports are increased with any additional endorsements as they must be substantiated.

AQIS officers issuing dairy export documentation will ensure that any claims made on the documentation are appropriately substantiated. For example, where microbiological or chemical claims are made regarding the product, then the appropriate NATA certificates substantiating the claim should be made available at audit. All exporters requesting export documentation must be able to provide information requested to substantiate that export documentation or the export documentation will be refused.

It should be noted that all AQIS export documentation (including manual documentation produced from website certificates under contingency arrangements) must be provided on AQIS security paper to ensure the integrity of Australian export documentation.

All export certification must match the product to be exported. Trade descriptions on the product must be the same as that on the export certification and must be a true and accurate description of the product. Loadout inspections may be conducted prior to issue of any export certification and export certification may be refused if the consignment is not made available for inspection.

Compiled by the Dairy Review Unit,
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)