Phase out of the AQIS Tiles and Related Commodities Profile

Notice to Industry 62/2010

12 November 2010

Who is affected by this notice?

Anybody involved in the importation of tiles, slate, bricks, glass, marble, stone and ceramic goods.

What is happening?

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is removing this mandatory intervention on tiles and related commodities and moving to a lower level of random sampling under the Import Clearance Effectiveness (ICE) program.

How will this affect me?

You will no longer be required to unpack consignments of tiles and related commodities at a quarantine approved premises. Any random ICE inspections on tiles and related commodities will now be carried out at the importer’s premises at AQIS expense unless contamination is detected.

Background

The tile profile in the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Integrated Cargo System (ICS) works on a range of tariff groups including the goods mentioned above. The profile randomly selects a small percentage of these goods to be inspected on arrival. This profile was set up in 2007 due to high levels of non-compliance being encountered with the packaging surrounding these goods. The timber packaging associated with these goods and container cleanliness pose biosecurity concerns to Australia. Since that time compliance has greatly improved and Australia has also accepted the revised international standards (ISPM 15, May 2009) including tolerance levels for residual bark on timber packaging.

Further information?

Further information about the AQIS sea cargo risk management policy can be obtained by contacting the AQIS Sea Cargo Program in Canberra or your Regional AQIS Office.