The Scheme: External Container Scheme
The External Container Scheme is a Compliance Agreement that allows industry to assess imported shipping containers that have been ordered into quarantine for external cleaning for the presence of external contamination. Upon the successful assessment of containers signatories to the Compliance Agreement will have the ability to provide AQIS with an assurance the outcomes of the Scheme have been met (e.g. the container is free of external contaminants) so the container may be released from quarantine.
The External Container Scheme is limited to Quarantine Approved Premises (QAP) that hold current AQIS approval to receive and clean externally contaminated imported shipping containers that have been ordered into quarantine for external cleaning from the wharf environ through an Order into Quarantine form.
Under the Scheme, certain pre-requisites must be met by the Other Party as a signatory to the Scheme:
- The Other Party must hold a current registration for a QAP
- The Other Party must employ or utilise a minimum of two Accredited Persons to carry out the activities specifically designated to an Accredited Person within the External Container Scheme Operational Procedures Statements (OPS), and
- The Other Party must be approved by the AQIS Regional Import Clearance Manager to receive and clean externally contaminated imported shipping containers that have been directed for external cleaning from the wharf environ through an Order into Quarantine form.
For further information, please contact:
National Compliance Agreement Coordinator
Co-regulation Administration and Support Program
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Fax: 02 6272 5888
Email: Compliance Agreement