2012-03 - New registration categories for fishing vessels

Issued 14 February 2012

The new DAFF Biosecurity (formerly AQIS) fees and charges took effect from 1 January 2012.

The Food Inspection Services — Charging Guidelines document has now been issued to provide guidance on how the new fees and charges are applied by DAFF. This document is available on the website.

It is recommended that export registered establishments, exporters and their agents for export documentation download this guidance document to familiarise themselves with the new fees and charges and changes to registration categories for both vessels and land-based establishments.

New registration categories for fishing vessels

There are now two registration categories for vessels: 

1. Vessel (Preparation Direct Export) — SFR411
2. Vessel (Preparation Not Direct Export) — SFR311

These new registration categories replace the previous categories that were based on the length of the registered vessel (over or under 15m in length) or the preparation undertaken —i.e. partial processing.

To determine the current registration category applied to your vessel — refer to your current registration invoice (January or February 2012) or contact your regional DAFF Biosecurity Office.

Vessel (Preparation Direct Export)

Requirements for vessels registered in this category remain the same as for vessels previously registered in either the over or under 15m categories. If your vessel was in either of these categories, it would have been allocated this registration category automatically.

Product that is packaged and labelled in a form for direct export on board these vessels may continue to be exported under the establishment number of the vessel.

Vessel (Preparation Not Direct Export)

This category is intended for vessels where product is typically unloaded in a form that requires further preparation before being exported — for example; frozen scallop in shell that is unloaded in bulk for shucking or frozen beche de mer that will be further processed at a land based establishment. Fishing vessels previously registered as ‘partial processing’ will be automatically assigned this new registration category.

There are implications for occupiers if they register vessels in the Preparation Not Direct Export category.

Product from vessels registered in this category cannot be exported as packaged aboard the vessel or under the establishment number of the vessel.

To be exported — the product from the vessel must be further prepared (other than merely handling, storing or loading for export) by another registered establishment.

If a vessel elects to be registered under the Preparation Not Direct Export registration category, changes will be made to the vessels details in the DAFF Biosecurity Establishment Register (ER) to ensure that export permits cannot be validated by DAFF Biosecurity documentation staff or by RFP Validators / agents.

Occupiers registering their vessels in this category must make it very clear to the receiving establishment and or purchaser that the product they receive from the vessel is not for direct export and must be further prepared before being exported.

At a minimum, information provided to the receiving establishment on transfer must clearly state that the product is not for direct export in its current form or packaging. These measures must be in the vessel’s documented approved arrangement (AA).

Vessels in this registration category will still be required to maintain an AA, and test product where testing is required.

Listing requirements for specific overseas markets, such as Russia or the EU, will still apply to these establishments.

It is strongly recommended that all occupiers intending to register or change the registration categories for their vessels discuss this with the buyers and/or exporters of their product prior to making any changes to their registration category.

Further enquiries
Please contact your regional office to discuss. Contacts are available on the website.

Issued by: DAFF Biosecurity, Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program, Canberra