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Non-commodity Information Requirements Policy

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Author: AQIS Co-regulation Administration and Support

Date: October 2009

Version: 1.5

Status: Final

Classification: Unclassified


Introduction

1 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to define the information requirements which must be met to support assessment of non-commodity concerns associated with imported cargo only.

The policies supporting AQIS intervention on shipping containers under the Giant African Snail National Co-ordination Centre activities, the External Container Inspection Regime and the Empty Container Scheme are not within the scope of this policy.

2 Background

AQIS assesses the quarantine risk posed by imported cargo from two main perspectives – commodity and non-commodity concerns. Where commodity concerns represent the inherent likelihood of those goods introducing an exotic pest or disease to Australia, non-commodity concerns consider the transportation pathways and packaging amongst other factors in determining the level of quarantine risk posed. In line with longstanding AQIS policy, it is preferred that quarantine risk be managed prior to importation wherever possible. The subject of this policy is the required information and supporting documentation or certification to give AQIS confidence that these measures have been applied. Although information is not routinely required for assessment for some cargo types, compliance with import requirements for non-commodity concerns remains the importer’s responsibility. For example, all timber packaging and dunnage remains subject to mandatory treatment requirements irrespective of whether timber packaging statements are routinely required for the applicable cargo type.

As non-commodity concerns relate primarily to packaging and transportation issues, AQIS has standard information requirements that must be met for each non-commodity concern. AQIS is mindful that differing cargo types (such as air versus sea cargo and containerised versus break bulk) are dealt with in different ways on arrival in Australia. As this allows non-commodity concerns to be dealt with in different ways, AQIS delineates its information requirements by cargo type to ensure that only the information essential for assessment is provided.

This document outlines:

a) Standard non-commodity concerns

b) Information required in relation to each of the standard non-commodity concerns

c) Standard non-commodity concerns to be addressed by each cargo type.

This document forms the basis of an AQIS officer’s assessment of non-commodity concerns for imported cargo and replaces much of the longstanding publication “Cargo Containers: Quarantine Aspects and Procedures” (commonly referred to as the Cargo Containers Booklet). It is also the technical reference that informs Customs Brokers in their assessments of non-commodity concerns under the Broker Accreditation Schemes.

3 Critical outcome(s)

The critical outcomes from the formulation of the non-commodity policy and requirements are as follows:

  1. Provide parameters to support AQIS officers in determining the level of non-commodity based quarantine risk posed by an imported consignment and the appropriate level of intervention to be applied
  2. Define information requirements to support AQIS officers in determining the level of non-commodity based quarantine risk posed by an imported consignment
  3. Define the parameters for acceptability of the information presented for non-commodity assessment.

Consultation

4 Initial policy development

This document has been distributed internally for comment within Import Clearance and the Stakeholder Programs.

5 National AQIS consultation

This document has been distributed for comment through the Documentary Assessment Working Group (a national forum of entry processing officers) and throughout the AQIS regional network for comment.

6 Industry consultation

This document has been distributed to industry for comment through the AQIS/Industry Cargo Consultative Committee Secretariat has been revised on the basis of comment provided.

7 Final endorsement

This policy has been endorsed by the National Entry Management Program Manager and the National Cargo Branch Manager.

Policy

8 Definitions

Definitions

Term

Definition

Bark

Bark is the external natural growth layer covering trees and branches. It is prone to attack from pests and pathogens that may be of quarantine concern.

Break bulk

Cargo transported by sea but not in a shipping container nor bulk in hold. Typical break bulk cargoes include machinery, vehicles and timber.

Bulk (in hold)

Non containerised cargo transported loose within the holds of ships designed for this purpose, e.g. grain or fertiliser.

Dunnage

Dunnage is material used to support or stabilise a consignment during transport which is not attached to or forming part of the consignment.

Examples of dunnage include but are not limited to used tyres, drums, gluts and skids.

FCL

Full Container Load (Single Supplier – Single Importer)

FCX

Full Container Load (Multiple Suppliers – Single Importer)

Hard frozen consignments

Consignments of goods which have been continuously maintained at -18°C (0°F) or below for a period of at least seven days.

ISO Tanker

Steel cylindrical containers mounted in a rigid steel framework used to carry bulk liquids or chemicals. Also called Tank Containers and Tanktainers.

ISPM 15

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 – Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade

LCL

Less than a Container Load (Multiple Suppliers – Multiple Importers)

Prohibited packaging material

All packaging material other than those permitted in the ICON case listings:

  • ‘Packing materials for general use’; and
  • ‘Packing materials for the packaging of plants’.

Reconstituted wood products

Wood products that as a result of the manufacturing process no longer contain solid wood including particleboard, chipboard, masonite, oriented strand board, medium and high density fibreboard.

Reefer

A reefer is a temperature controlled container used in intermodal freight transportation of temperature sensitive cargo.

Ships’ stores

Inventory carried on board a vessel/aircraft to meet its daily requirements, such as food, water, cleaning supplies, medical and safety supplies and spare parts. This may also include such goods being transhipped from one vessel to another which are held ‘under bond’.

Timber packaging

Timber packaging is all solid timber, or articles made thereof, used to support, secure or protect a consignment that constitute a part of the consignment (i.e. attached to the consignment).

Examples of packaging include but are not limited to pallets, crating, packaging blocks, drums, cases, load boards, pallet collars, gluts, stickering (spaces placed between layers of timber to allow effective fumigation) and skids.

Transhipment

Goods discharged from a vessel into an Australian port and held under bond with the express purpose of being exported on another vessel.

9 Information requirements – non-commodity concerns

The below table indicates which non-commodity concerns must be addressed for each specific cargo type:


Non-commodity concerns for specific cargo

Cargo Type

Container Concerns

Packaging Concerns

Destination Concerns

Cleanliness Statement

 

Prohibited Packaging Material Statement

Timber Statement

ISPM 15 statement or treatment certificate (if timber declared)

Bark Statement (if timber declared)

Unpack Destination

Transhipment1

N

N

N

N

N

N

Personal Effects

N

N

N

N

N

N

Airfreight

N

N

N

N

N

N

Bulk (in hold)

N

N

N

N

N

N

ISO Tank

N

N

N

N

N

Y

Hard Frozen Container

N

N

N

N

N

Y

Break Bulk

N

N

N

N

N

N

FCL/X

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

LCL

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Transhipments does not include ships’ stores to be used on cruise vessels
Note: Transhipments, personal effects, airfreight, bulk (in hold) and break bulk are outside the scope of the Broker Accreditation Schemes

10 Cargo types exempt from standard non-commodity information requirements

Transhipment of Cargo

Cargo that is being transhipped, other than ships’ stores to be used on cruise vessels, is exempt from all non-commodity information requirements. Consignments of ships’ stores to be used on cruise vessels are subject to mandatory reporting to AQIS and are required to meet all non-commodity information requirements relating to the applicable cargo type.

AQIS Action in Relation to Transhipments

As transhipments (other than ships’ stores) are not routinely reported to AQIS, no action is taken in relation to these cargoes.

Personal Effects Consignments

Personal effects are exempt from standard non-commodity information requirements due to commodity specific clearance processes.

AQIS Action in Relation to Personal Effects Consignments

Consignments must be identified as personal effects in the ICS and are subject to mandatory referral to AQIS for clearance purposes.

Air Freight Consignments

Air freight consignments are exempt from standard non-commodity information requirements as surveys have indicated that non-commodity concerns are minimal within this class of cargo.

AQIS Action in Relation to Air Freight Consignments

Non-commodity concerns relating to air freight consignments are addressed through ongoing surveillance of air freight facilities and are addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Break Bulk Consignments

Break bulk consignments are exempt from standard non-commodity information requirements.

AQIS Action in Relation to Break Bulk Consignments

Non-commodity concerns relating to break bulk consignments are addressed through ongoing surveillance of port facilities and are addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Bulk (in hold) Cargo

Bulk (in hold) consignments subject to quarantine intervention require a Ship Cleanliness Certificate and/or Ship Surveyor’s Inspection Report attesting to the cleanliness of the hold/s prior to loading.

AQIS Action in Relation to Bulk (in hold) Consignments

Where bulk (in hold) cargo requires a Ship Cleanliness Certificate and/or Ship Surveyor’s Inspection Report and one cannot be presented, the cargo may be refused discharge or may be subject to increased intervention including sampling, inspection, treatment or export.

11 Cargo Types - Rural Destination Concerns Only

Bulk Liquid Containers (ISO Tankers/Tank Containers)

While all ISO Tankers are considered by AQIS to be FCL consignments, they are exempt from packaging statements and cleanliness statements due to their restricted usage, design and construction. Only rural destination concerns are considered in relation to ISO Tankers.

ISO Tank containers must be identified as such on the Bill of Lading with a statement to that effect (this may also be represented by the international standard codes as per ISO 6346).

AQIS Action in Relation to Bulk Liquid Containers

Consignments not covered by an acceptable indication of the container being an ISO Tank (Tank Container) on the Bill of Lading, may be directed for inspection to confirm that the container is an ISO Tank.

Hard frozen containers

Refrigerated containers (reefers) containing cargo that is hard frozen may be granted exemption from packaging statements and cleanliness statements. For this exemption to be granted, the temperature must have been continuously maintained at -18°C (0°F) or below for a period of at least seven days.

The hard frozen statement should read as follows:

“The goods packed in the container(s) listed on this document, have been continuously maintained at -18°C (0°F) or below for a period of at least seven days”.

AQIS will accept this statement on:

  • Bill of Lading/Waybill
  • Packing List or Invoice
  • Government to Government Certification
  • Delivery order issued by the relevant shipping company
  • Declaration from a Customs Broker accredited under AQIS Broker Accreditation Schemes.

In the absence of a hard frozen statement, an AQIS officer will use the “shipped on board date” on the bill of lading as commencement of the seven-day minimum period. Where the shipping period is less than seven days, additional documentation may be presented which indicates that the consignment was hard frozen prior to the voyage covered by the current bill of lading or post discharge, such as a temperature statement printout from the reefer.

AQIS Action in Relation to Hard Frozen Statements

Consignments not meeting hard frozen container requirements must meet all non-commodity requirements applicable to the relevant cargo type.

12 Non-Commodity Concern Statements (Containers)

The following outlines the requirements for each non-commodity statement which can be presented to AQIS as part of the import process.

Container Cleanliness Statement

Various cargo types require a statement to be made indicating whether the container has been cleaned prior to loading.

Container cleanliness statement should read as follows:

“The container(s) covered by this document has/have been cleaned and is/are free from material of animal and/or plant origin and soil”

AQIS will accept cleanliness statements on the following documents:

  • Cleanliness declaration
  • Packing declaration
  • Packing List or Invoice

AQIS Action in Relation to Container Cleanliness Statements

FCL/X consignments not covered by an acceptable container cleanliness statement will be directed for inspection of both the container and the cargo transported within it.

13 Non-Commodity Concern Statements (Packaging Materials)

Prohibited Packaging Material Statement (such as straw, bamboo, peat, hay, chaff, used fruit and vegetable cartons etc)

Various cargo types require a statement indicating whether prohibited packaging material has been used in the packaging of the consignment as indicated at Section 9.

The prohibited packaging material statement should read as follows:

“Have prohibited packaging materials or bamboo products been used as packaging or dunnage in the consignment covered by this document ?” Yes/No

AQIS will accept prohibited packaging material statements on the following documents:

  • Packing declaration
  • Packing List or Invoice

AQIS Action in Relation to Prohibited Packaging Material Statement

No further action is required for packaging concerns where an acceptable prohibited packaging material statement is provided. In all other instances, consignments will be directed for inspection and/or treatment.

Timber Packaging/Dunnage Statement

Various cargo types require a statement indicating whether timber packaging or dunnage has been used in the packaging of the consignment as indicated at Section 9.

The timber packaging/dunnage statement should read as follows:

“Has timber packaging/dunnage been used in consignments covered by this document?” Yes/No

Note: Reconstituted wood products are not required to be declared as timber packaging or dunnage as they are not considered to pose a quarantine risk.

Where timber packaging/dunnage has been declared within a consignment, the following statements/documents are also required:

  • ISPM 15 statement
  • A treatment certificate/phytosanitary or government treatment certificate that covers AQIS acceptable treatments (treatment certificates are not accepted for ISPM 15 treatment)

and 

  • Bark statement.

AQIS will accept timber packaging/dunnage statements on the following documents:

  • Packing declaration
  • Packing List or Invoice

ISPM 15 Statement

Where timber packaging/dunnage has been declared, AQIS requires a statement indicating whether all the timber packaging/dunnage which has been used is ISPM 15 compliant. The ISPM 15 statement should read as follows:

“All timber packaging/dunnage used in the consignment has been treated and marked in compliance with ISPM 15 .”
Yes/No/Not Applicable

Note: Where an ISPM 15 statement is made indicating that all timber packaging/dunnage used in the consignment has been treated and marked in compliance with ISPM 15, the Timber Packaging/Dunnage Statement will not be required.

AQIS will accept ISPM 15 statements on the following documents:

  • Phytosanitary Certificates
  • Packing Declarations
  • Packing List or Invoice

Bark Statement

Where timber packaging/dunnage has been declared, including ISPM 15, AQIS requires a statement indicating whether the timber packaging/dunnage is free from bark.

The bark statement should read as follows:

“Is all timber packaging/dunnage used in this consignment free from bark?” Yes/No/Not Applicable

AQIS will accept bark statements on the following documents:

  • Packing declaration
  • Packing List or Invoice

AQIS Action in Relation to Timber Packaging/Dunnage, ISPM 15 and Bark Statements

No further action is required for timber packaging/dunnage concerns where:

  • an acceptable timber packaging/dunnage statement is provided which indicates timber packaging has not been used in the consignment
  • an acceptable timber packaging/dunnage statement is provided which indicates timber packaging used in the consignment is free from bark and ISPM 15 compliant
  • an acceptable timber packaging/dunnage statement is provided which indicates timber packaging used in the consignment is free from bark and the statement is accompanied by additional documentation which indicates that the timber packaging/dunnage has been treated offshore by an AQIS approved method.

In all other instances, consignments will be directed for inspection and/or treatment.

AQIS-Approved Treatments and Certification for Timber Packaging and dunnage

Where timber packaging and/or dunnage has been declared and is not ISPM 15 compliant, AQIS-approved treatments and certification options can be determined through the Import Conditions Database (ICON) case for ‘Timber Packaging and Dunnage’.

14 Non-Commodity Concerns (Destination)

Unpack Destination - Non-Metropolitan Area

All containerised cargo destined for unpack in a non-metropolitan (i.e. rural or fringe rural) area is subject to a rural tailgate inspection prior to delivery unless it is to be unpacked at a premise holding a rural tailgate exemption. A list of postcodes designated as metropolitan, fringe rural and rural is at Attachment A.

AQIS will accept rural tailgate exemptions on the following documents:

  • AQIS Rural Tailgate Exemption Letter
  • AQIS endorsed copy of the rural tailgate exemption application.

AQIS Action in Relation to Fringe Rural Statements

Where a consignment is to be unpacked at a non-metropolitan premise which has not been granted a rural tailgate exemption, the container(s) is to be directed for rural tailgate inspection prior to delivery.

15 Reporting

Previously Accepted Statements

Where the application of this policy would prevent a previously acceptable statement from being accepted, AQIS Officers are to consult their supervisor prior to contacting the Entry Management Program for clarification.

16 Monitoring

New statements

When a new statement is created, it is to be reviewed against and incorporated into this policy by the Quarantine Operations Division – Canberra to ensure the requirements of the policy can continue to be met.

Periodic review

This Policy will be reviewed by the Quarantine Operations Division – Canberra on a two yearly basis to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

17 Other considerations

Minimum Document Requirements

Each statement must be made on a document that complies with the ‘Minimum Documentary Requirements Policy’. Example templates of acceptable documentation are provided on the AQIS website.

Co-Regulation Import Schemes

This policy document should be read in conjunction with the following Co-regulation Schemes:

  • Broker Accreditation Schemes for Non-Commodity Concerns
  • Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) for Commodities Scheme
  • Empty Container Scheme

Attachment A - Metropolitan, Fringe Rural and Rural Postcodes

Postcodes for the Australian Capital Territory

All postcodes within the Australian Capital Territory are deemed to be rural.

Postcodes for New South Wales

Metropolitan

2000

2031

2062

2091

2120

2148

2191

2220

2297

2564

2004

2032

2063

2092

2121

2150

2192

2221

2298

2565

2005

2033

2064

2093

2122

2151

2193

2222

2299

2566

2006

2034

2065

2094

2123

2152

2194

2223

2300

2567

2007

2035

2066

2095

2124

2153

2195

2224

2302

2568

2008

2036

2067

2096

2125

2154

2196

2225

2303

2745

2009

2037

2068

2097

2126

2155

2197

2226

2304

2746

2010

2038

2069

2099

2127

2156

2198

2227

2305

2747

2011

2039

2070

2100

2128

2157

2199

2228

2306

2748

2012

2040

2071

2101

2129

2158

2200

2229

2307

2749

2013

2041

2072

2102

2130

2159

2201

2230

2308

2750

2014

2042

2073

2103

2131

2160

2202

2231

2309

2751

2015

2043

2074

2104

2132

2161

2203

2232

2310

2755

2016

2044

2075

2105

2133

2162

2204

2233

2314

2759

2017

2045

2076

2106

2134

2163

2205

2234

2500

2760

2018

2046

2077

2107

2135

2164

2206

2280

2502

2761

2019

2047

2079

2108

2136

2165

2207

2281

2505

2762

2020

2048

2080

2109

2137

2166

2208

2282

2506

2763

2021

2049

2081

2110

2138

2167

2209

2284

2515

2764

2022

2050

2082

2111

2139

2168

2210

2285

2516

2765

2023

2051

2083

2112

2140

2169

2211

2289

2517

2766

2024

2052

2084

2113

2141

2170

2212

2290

2518

2767

2025

2056

2085

2114

2142

2171

2213

2291

2519

2768

2026

2057

2086

2115

2143

2173

2214

2292

2520

2770

2027

2058

2087

2116

2144

2174

2216

2293

2558

 

2028

2059

2088

2117

2145

2176

2217

2294

2559

 

2029

2060

2089

2118

2146

2177

2218

2295

2560

 

2030

2061

2090

2119

2147

2190

2219

2296

2563

 


Fringe Rural

2250

2258

2263

2283

2324

2526

2753

2251

2259

2264

2286

2485

2527

2754

2252

2260

2265

2287

2486

2530

2756

2256

2261

2267

2315

2508

2570

2775

2257

2262

2278

2322

2525

2571

 

Postcodes not listed above are deemed to be rural.

Postcodes for the Northern Territory

Metropolitan

0800

0810

0812


Fringe Rural

0820

0828

0830

Postcodes not listed above are deemed to be rural.

Postcodes for Queensland

Metropolitan

4000

4022

4060

4102

4117

4153

4172

4222

4551

4005

4029

4061

4103

4118

4154

4173

4224

4556

4006

4030

4064

4104

4119

4155

4174

4225

4557

4007

4031

4065

4105

4120

4156

4178

4226

4558

4008

4032

4066

4106

4121

4157

4179

4227

4564

4009

4034

4067

4107

4122

4158

4205

4229

4567

4010

4035

4068

4108

4123

4159

4212

4230

4572

4011

4036

4072

4109

4127

4160

4214

4231

4573

4012

4037

4073

4110

4128

4161

4215

4301

4575

4013

4051

4074

4111

4129

4163

4216

4305

4810

4014

4052

4075

4112

4130

4164

4217

4501

4812

4017

4053

4076

4113

4131

4165

4218

4502

4813

4019

4054

4077

4114

4132

4169

4219

4507

4814

4020

4055

4078

4115

4151

4170

4220

4508

4870

4021

4059

4101

4116

4152

4171

4221

4511

 


Fringe Rural

4069

4133

4210

4300

4503

4510

4555

4811

4070

4207

4211

4303

4504

4550

4565

4817

4124

4208

4223

4304

4505

4553

4566

4818

4125

4209

4280

4500

4506

4554

4740

 

Postcodes for South Australia

Metropolitan

5000

5013

5025

5038

5050

5070

5086

5098

5159

5002

5014

5026

5039

5051

5071

5087

5106

5160

5003

5015

5027

5040

5052

5072

5088

5107

5161

5004

5016

5028

5041

5061

5073

5089

5108

5164

5005

5017

5029

5042

5062

5074

5090

5109

5165

5006

5018

5030

5043

5063

5075

5091

5110

5166

5007

5019

5031

5044

5064

5076

5092

5111

5167

5008

5020

5032

5045

5065

5081

5093

5112

5950

5009

5021

5033

5046

5066

5082

5094

5113

 

5010

5022

5034

5047

5067

5083

5095

5125

 

5011

5023

5035

5048

5068

5084

5096

5126

 

5012

5024

5037

5049

5069

5085

5097

5158

 


Fringe Rural

5152

5168

Postcodes not listed above are deemed to be rural.

Postcodes for Tasmania

Metropolitan

7000

7002

7005

7007

7009

7015

7248

7250

7320

7001

7004

7006

7008

7010

7018

7249

7310

 


Fringe Rural

7011

7253

7170

Postcodes not listed above are deemed to be rural.

Postcodes for Victoria


Metropolitan

3000

3025

3046

3070

3102

3130

3152

3178

3196

3002

3026

3047

3071

3103

3131

3153

3179

3197

3003

3027

3048

3072

3104

3132

3155

3180

3198

3004

3028

3049

3073

3105

3133

3161

3181

3199

3005

3031

3051

3074

3106

3135

3162

3182

3202

3006

3032

3052

3075

3107

3136

3163

3183

3204

3008

3033

3053

3078

3108

3138

3165

3184

3205

3011

3034

3054

3079

3109

3141

3166

3185

3206

3012

3036

3055

3081

3111

3142

3167

3186

3207

3013

3037

3056

3082

3121

3143

3168

3187

3214

3015

3038

3057

3083

3122

3144

3169

3188

3215

3016

3039

3058

3084

3123

3145

3170

3189

3216

3018

3040

3060

3085

3124

3146

3171

3190

3217

3019

3041

3061

3087

3125

3147

3172

3191

3218

3020

3042

3065

3088

3126

3148

3173

3192

3219

3021

3043

3066

3093

3127

3149

3174

3193

3220

3022

3044

3067

3094

3128

3150

3175

3194

 

3023

3045

3068

3101

3129

3151

3177

3195

 


Fringe Rural

3029

3064

3090

3134

3156

3212

3802

3806

3931

3977

3030

3076

3095

3137

3200

3221

3803

3910

3975

 

3062

3089

3116

3140

3201

3765

3805

3930

3976

 

Postcodes not listed above are deemed to be rural.

Postcodes for Western Australia

Metropolitan

6000

6009

6017

6024

6051

6062

6101

6108

6153

6160

6003

6010

6018

6025

6052

6063

6102

6147

6154

6162

6004

6011

6019

6026

6053

6064

6103

6148

6155

6163

6005

6012

6020

6027

6054

6066

6104

6149

6156

6168

6006

6014

6021

6028

6059

6067

6105

6150

6157

6169

6007

6015

6022

6030

6060

6090

6106

6151

6158

6172

6008

6016

6023

6050

6061

6100

6107

6152

6159

 


Fringe Rural

6031

6056

6058

6068

6076

6110

6112

6165

6167

6055

6057

6065

6069

6109

6111

6164

6166

6170

Postcodes not listed are deemed to be rural.

Note: Any changes made to delivery postcodes in this document must be reflected in changes to the delivery postcodes document posted on the AQIS website as it is used by third party software providers.

Version History

Version History

Version

Description and reason

Author

Date

0.1-1.1

Document development and finalisation

Entry Management Project Team, Sea Cargo Unit, Industry Partnerships Unit

Aug 07-Mar 09

1.2

Inclusion of option for manufacturer's declarations to be provided for packing material made from plywood

Industry Partnerships Unit, Sea Cargo Unit, Timber Team

June 2009

1.3

Amendment to postcode 4740

Co-regulation Administration and Support Program

July 2009

1.4

Replace the word Must with Should in regard to wording of statements. Remove information requirements related to Wall Lined Container, GAS and plywood/veneer; and definitions related to these requirements. Include “Not Applicable” option in relation to ISPM15 and bark statements.

Entry Management Program

Oct 2009

1.5

Amended postcode 5168

Co-regulation Administration and Support Program

Jan 2010