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Importing Fertiliser
AQIS is responsible for reducing the risk of the introduction of exotic pests or diseases that may affect our agricultural and horticultural industries, and our unique environment. This page provides information about importing fertiliser, to ensure that the risk of introducing an exotic pest or disease via this commodity is managed effectively.
What is fertiliser?
Fertiliser is defined as a growth enhancer, promotant or regulator that aids plant growth. Fertilisers imported into Australia can be grouped into three main groups:
- Chemical fertiliser, which is a product that is the result of a manufacturing process
- Mined fertiliser, which is a natural, non-organic product mined from the earth itself
- Organic fertiliser, which may be made of aquatic animal, terrestrial animal, avian, or microbial origin.
Why is AQIS interested in fertiliser?
Imported fertiliser that is contaminated with soil, animal or plant based contaminants can create a pathway into Australia for exotic pests and diseases.
There is a high potential for the establishment of an exotic pest or disease as fertiliser is applied directly to soil. To address this risk, AQIS has developed import protocols and permit conditions for importing fertiliser.
What contaminants can be found in fertiliser?
Imported consignments may be contaminated with quarantine risk material such as:
- live insects
- seed
- soil
- plant matter (e.g. leaves)
- animal matter (e.g. faeces, feathers).
Imported fertiliser showing seed contamination
Imported fertiliser showing contamination with feathers
Imported fertiliser showing plant material contamination
Imported fertiliser showing contamination with bird faeces
Because these contaminants have the potential to introduce exotic pests and diseases into Australia, there is a legislative requirement for most importers to have specific permission to import fertiliser into Australia.
How can fertiliser be imported to Australia?
Fertiliser can be imported:
- as bulk in ship holds or containers
- in bags of less than 100kg
- in bags of 100kg or more, or
- as a liquid.
Each of these modes of importation has a specific import protocol, based on a risk assessment of the fertiliser pathway from the point of manufacture to arrival in Australia. AQIS will apply import conditions based on the potential for quarantine contaminants to enter the fertiliser pathway.
Why do I need a permit?
The Quarantine Proclamation 1998 (Division 2, Section 33) prohibits the importation of articles (including fertiliser) likely to introduce a disease or pest unless an import permit has been issued to import the product into Australia.
All fertilisers made from plant, microbial or animal material require an import permit regardless of quantity.
Prospective importers of mineral and chemical fertilisers must also apply for an import permit for any consignments where the individual bag weight is 100 kilograms or more, and for all bulk consignments.
Import permits must be obtained prior to consignments being shipped from the overseas port.
View the Application to Import Agricultural Products.
What happens when fertiliser lands in Australia?
AQIS inspects the fertiliser when it lands in Australia. This inspection must take place either in the vessel hold or at a registered Quarantine Approved Premise (QAP). Charges apply for this service.
Before applying for an import permit, prospective importers need to ensure that they have arranged for the fertiliser to be unpacked or stored at one or more Quarantine Approved Premises in each port of discharge if needed.
Quarantine Approved Premises need to be of appropriate classification to receive fertiliser, and need the storage capacity to handle the volume of product being imported.
What are my responsibilities as an importer?
It is in the importer's interest to ensure that
consignments are free from quarantine contamination
Importers are asked to ensure quality control systems are in place offshore from the point of manufacture through to the point of importation in Australia and during handling and storage of the product. These systems must eliminate the potential for contamination to enter the fertiliser pathway.
To expedite the quarantine clearance process, it is in the importer's interest to ensure that consignments are free from quarantine contamination.
What happens if the consignment is contaminated?
If contaminants that are quarantine risks are detected in consignments, further action will be necessary. This may include:
- finding a suitable treatment for the consignment if possible, or
- export of the consignment out of Australia.
This action is undertaken at the importer's expense.
Where do I find further information?
More information about importing chemical and mined fertiliser, including AQIS inspection protocols.
More information on importing organic fertiliser.
Contact us
If you require further information about importing fertiliser, or would like to provide feedback to AQIS, contact the Bulk Commodity Imports National Co-ordination Centre in Newcastle on:
Ph: + 61 2 4962 4450
Fax: + 61 2 4962 4460
Mail: PO Box 69, Carrington NSW 2294
Fertiliser Chemical
07 Dec 2010