Break-Bulk Cargo - Notice to the Shipping and Stevedoring Industry

The purpose of this Notice is to provide an update to Industry with respect to AQIS continuing wharf surveillance and AQIS’s requirement for prior notice of break-bulk cargo arrivals.

This information is required, following the Federal Government’s announcement in May 2001, that Australia would strengthen its border agencies in their work to counter threats from exotic pests and diseases. Under these arrangements, there are increased interventions for all cargo entering Australia, and AQIS is conducting surveillance inspections of break-bulk cargo, to establish the likelihood of pests and diseases being imported with this type of cargo.

Break-bulk cargo or non-containerised cargo including new motor vehicles must be examined externally and treated for soil and other contamination.

In order to facilitate the quarantine risk assessment on non-dedicated container terminal operations and break-bulk cargo, AQIS requests that the following be provided on a daily basis to the AQIS regional contacts. A list of AQIS contact numbers is below.

1. Information regarding vessels discharging containers and/or break-bulk cargo must include:

• vessel name, Lloyd No, Voyage No, Port and Berth
• date and times when discharging/delivering cargo
• if direct lifting (“under the hook delivery”) is to occur, date, times and contact details
• marks and description of break-bulk being discharged and delivered; and
• information should include general cargo description and quantity.

2. Discharge details of break-bulk cargo must be provided to AQIS (preferably via email or facsimile) at least 24 hours prior to vessel arrival and by 1400hrs on Fridays. (see attached list)

The attached form (Notification of Break Bulk Arrival/s) is an example of what may be used to provide AQIS with notification of the arrival of break-bulk cargo. Following the provision of these details, AQIS will target specific cargo for external examination and if required treatment of contamination will be performed prior to the cargo being released from the discharge/wharf area. 

Your co-operation with this request is sought, as failure to supply manifest information within the times outlined above, may result in significant delays in the release of cargo from the wharf. 

If you have any questions regarding the surveillance of break-bulk cargo please contact the AQIS officers in your region.