AQIS Procedures to Assess Treatment Provider Status

All consignments imported into Australia that have been treated offshore with methyl bromide and are accompanied by a valid fumigation certification, must be checked against the AQIS Offshore Treatment Providers’ Lists to confirm acceptability of the treatment.

Treatment Provider Status Categories

Treatment provider status is categorised as follows:

Acceptable: The treatment provider has no current restrictions for treating goods for export to Australia. Treatment certificates are accepted. Consignments are dealt with according to the relevant ICON or Import Permit requirements.

Under Investigation: The treatment provider is placed ‘Under Investigation’ if flawed treatment practices or fraudulent documentation are suspected, indicating an ineffective treatment. Treatment certificates are not accepted from a treatment provider as of the date it is listed as ‘Under Investigation’ and there is no allowance for goods in transit. Consignments must be:

• directed for a full unpack and inspection at a class 1 QAP or
  
• re-treated in Australia or
  
• exported to the country of origin or
  
• destroyed.

If a consignment has been directed for inspection and found to be free of insects, it can be released.

Unacceptable (Non-AFAS countries): A treatment provider will be deemed ‘Unacceptable’ when flawed treatment practices or fraudulent documentation are confirmed, or the Overseas Government Agency (OGA) has failed to respond to AQIS’s request for information about the fumigation company within three months. Treatment certificates are not accepted from a treatment provider as of the date it is listed as unacceptable and there is no allowance for goods in transit. Consignments must be:

• re-treated in Australia or
  
• exported to the country of origin or
  
• destroyed.

Suspended (AFAS participating countries only): A treatment provider will be deemed ‘Suspended’ when flawed treatment practices or fraudulent documentation are confirmed, or the OGA has failed to respond to AQIS’s request to report on the fumigation practices of a treatment provider that is under investigation within three months. A company may also be suspended if it fails a routine audit conducted by AQIS or the OGA. Treatment certificates are not accepted from a treatment provider as of the date it is listed as suspended and there is no allowance for goods in transit. Consignments must be:

• re-treated in Australia or
  
• exported to the country of origin or
  
• destroyed.

Withdrawn (AFAS participating countries only): A treatment provider may apply for ‘Withdrawn’ status if it no longer employs an AFAS accredited fumigator. Treatment certificates issued prior to the listed withdrawal date will be accepted. Treatment certificates issued on or after the withdrawal date will not be accepted. Consignments must be:

• re-treated in Australia or
  
• exported to the country of origin or
  
• destroyed.

Note: It is the importer’s responsibility to check AQIS’s Import Conditions database (ICON), and the Import Permit conditions (if relevant) to ensure that all import requirements are met prior to importing consignments into Australia.