Documentation

Two new policies have been developed to clarify and simplify the 'rules' under which documents used for the clearance of imported cargo are either acceptable or unacceptable to AQIS. Please visit the Documentary Requirements webpage to view the Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy and Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy.

• 3.1 Packing Declarations
• 3.2 Exemptions from Consignment Specific Packing Declarations
• 3.3 Cleanliness declaration
• 3.4 Certification of treatments used for timber packaging and dunnage
• 3.5 Import Declaration requirements for containers carrying goods subject to Australian quarantine requirements
• 3.6 Follow-up inspection for document verification
• 3.7 Quarantine fees

3.1 Packing declarations

For information on packing declaration requirements please read the ‘Document Format Requirements’ and the ‘Prescribed Information Requirements’ sections in the Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy.

Concern statements (such as container concerns, packaging concerns, source or destination concerns) for containers and packaging materials can be found in the Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy.

Additional information about these documents is available on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage.

Examples of packing declarations and treatment certificates are also available.

3.2 Exemptions from Consignment Specific Packing Declarations

1. Annual Packing Declarations
   Information about annual packing declarations is included in the Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy.
2. Hard Frozen Containers
   Information about hard frozen containers is included in the Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy.
3. ISO Tank Containers
   Information about ISO tank containers is included in the Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy.

3.3 Cleanliness declaration

Requirements for Container Cleanliness Declarations can be found in the Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy.

3.4 Certification of treatments used for timber packaging and dunnage

Please see the Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy and the Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy for information on documentation and required statements.

1. Coated timber and timber products
   For information relating to coated timber products please see Section 3.2 ‘Impervious wrappings surfaces and coatings’ of the AQIS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard.
2. AQIS Perforation Standard for Plastic Wrapping 
   For information relating to The AQIS Wrapping and Perforation Standard please see Section 3.2 ‘Impervious wrappings surfaces and coatings’ of the AQIS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard.

Importers are invited to contact the relevant AQIS regional office for more information on the acceptability of certificates for overseas treatments.

3.5 Import Declaration requirements for containers carrying goods subject to Australian quarantine requirements

An Import Declaration must be lodged in the Customs Integrated Cargo System (ICS) by a Customs registered client for all imports. Please visit the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website for Customs procedures for imports and exports.

3.6 Follow-up inspection for document verification

To check the authenticity of documentation, AQIS has adopted a system of follow-up inspection. Where a quarantine infringement is detected, all subsequent containers from that source arriving at Australian ports may be diverted to a Quarantine Approved Premises (QAP) for unpacking until AQIS is satisfied that all quarantine requirements have been met.

3.7 Quarantine fees

Information relating to the application of Quarantine fees can be viewed on the Quarantine Service Fees Determination and Charging Guidelines for Import Clearance webpages.