Horticulture exports fees and charges

Section 1 — program overview

The Horticulture Exports Program (HEP) services are provided on a cost recovery basis. Costs are recovered through fees that are charged for the complete range of export certification activities. This includes time spent on preparation, travel and completion of export inspections, audits, treatment monitoring and registrations, and the issuance of all export documentation. Costs are also recovered by means of a volume charge per tonne up to a maximum of 5,000 tonnes annually per exporter.

The fee schedule applies to fresh and dried fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh and dried cut flowers/foliage, nursery stock, bulbs and tubers.

Section 2 — legislative base

Section 3 — fee exemptions

Consignments comprising less than 10 kg do not require an Export Permit and therefore no Permit documentation fee applies (see 'Export Control (Prescribed Goods - General) Orders 2005' Order 2.01(4(g)).

Note: Consignments less than 10 kg requiring a phytosanitary certificate or other certificates, will incur charges.

Section 4 — administrative arrangements

The 40 per cent rebate, which has been provided to exporters as part of the Export Certification Reform Package to assist the transition to full cost recovery, ceases on 30 June 2011.

The Ministerial Task Force (MTF) is currently discussing new fees and charges that will more appropriately underpin the new service delivery model. More information regarding new fees and charges, when available, will be published on the DAFF website. 

Section 5 — fees and charges (cost centre 123933)