Cleanliness Requirements for Imported Machinery, Equipment and Spare Parts
Machinery not meeting acceptable cleanliness standards will not be permitted entry into Australia. The final decision on acceptable cleanliness standards rests with the inspecting AQIS officer. It is the importer's responsibility to ensure all machinery arrives in Australia in a clean state. AQIS defines clean as "clean as new" and has a nil tolerance for any contamination from soil or plant material.
- New machinery
- Used earthmoving machinery
- Used agricultural machinery
- Used processing machinery
- Definitions
New machinery
New machinery is often contaminated through poor loading or by being field tested before shipment to Australia. The following images are examples of new machinery loaded in wet, muddy conditions which meant the consignment needed to be treated upon arrival.
A common problem is "soil splash", which is a thin film of soil that adheres to machinery tracks, tyres and panels during the loading process. This contamination is unacceptable and will be removed by the AQIS approved cleaning process.
To prevent delays and to reduce costs, ensure all machinery is loaded in clean conditions to prevent contamination.
Figure 1: New excavator, poorly loaded
Figure 2: Soil and gravel lodges in tracks and soil splash on track frame
Figure 3: Soil splash on the excavator turret pivot area
Field or factory tested machinery
All machinery that is tested in the field or in a factory using agricultural products is considered by AQIS to be used and must be inspected on arrival by an AQIS officer.
Used earthmoving machinery
All used machinery is required to enter Australia in a clean state. AQIS defines clean as "clean as new" and has a nil tolerance for soil. Clean machinery/spare parts will be characterised by a comprehensive cleaning process. The machinery must be dismantled to be thoroughly cleaned prior to export. All possible sites of contamination must be cleaned. All oil and grease stains must be cleaned to prevent soil and seed adhering to the stain.
Any machinery that is imported into Australia that is not clean on arrival will be subject to additional cleaning costs, Quarantine inspection charges or rejection of the consignment.
Used earthmoving truck
AQIS considers used machinery with low level contamination to mean the presence of small amounts of contamination on the machinery that can be easily removed by high pressure steam cleaning. The inspection will indicate that the machinery has been washed down overseas prior to export, but has not undergone an extensive cleaning process involving the dismantling of the machine/spare parts to clean all possible sites of contamination.
Machines with low level contamination will be subject to dismantling and cleaning to ensure all contamination is removed. All belly plates, covers and guards are removed from the machinery to be inspected.
The following images show an earthmoving truck being thoroughly inspected for low level contamination. Welded plates are examined for soil (Figure 5) and crevasses (Figure 6) where soil can lodge.
Figure 4: A used earthmoving truck is inspected for contamination
Figure 5: An AQIS Officer examines welded plates in the tray for concealed contamination
Figure 6: All hollow channels in the tray frame and crevasses in the steel chassis must be inspected
Used earthmoving scraper
The following images are examples of machinery with high level contamination. High level contamination is indicated by large amounts of soil and organic matter detected on the machinery/spare parts. On inspection the machinery/spare parts will appear to have been used in the field, loaded and transported without any cleaning process. The machinery/spare parts will be characterised by an excessive presence of organic contamination around the areas of the machinery/spare parts in contact with soil, plant or animal matter.
The inspecting AQIS officer will determine if the machinery will require dismantling and extensive cleaning. The machinery may not be permitted entry if it arrives in a highly contaminated state.
Figure 7: A used earthmoving scraper with high level contamination
Figure 8: Soil, sand and gravel contamination in the hollow crevice
Figure 9: Excessive soil, sand and gravel contamination in the vehicle body
Figure 10: Contamination in the wheel rim
Figure 11: Grease and oil stains
Figure 12: Accumulated soil on the vehicle body
Figure 13: Soil on the gas tank and in the tool box
Figure 14: Contamination between dual wheels and around the brake areas
Figure 15: All railings, railing ledges and axle beams must be inspected
Used earthmoving loader
View images of a used earthmoving loader:
Figure 16: The front of the bucket is inspected for soil
Figure 17: The front bucket contains excessive contamination with soil
Figure 18: All grease stains are to be removed by steam cleaning
Figure 19: Dirt can accumulate on oil residues
Figure 20: Soil contamination on battery
Figure 21: Soil contamination around the axle area
Figure 22: Soil contamination around the axle, brake and wheel area
Figure 23: Soil contamination on the loader frame
Used earthmoving machinery
The following picture illustrates high level contamination found on used machinery by an AQIS officer. Large amounts of soil are on the track frame and guard plates. Machinery arriving in this condition will not be permitted entry into Australia.
Figure 24: Unacceptable contamination on machinery
Used agricultural machinery
These agricultural harvesters may appear to be clean, but inspection by AQIS officers revealed the following contamination.
Figure 25: Crop residue in the threshing area
Figure 26: Crop reside in the straw walkers and riddles
Figure 27: Crop residue on screens
Figure 28: Seed and plant matter on uncleaned harvester
Used processing machinery
Used processing machinery in contact with soil, animal or plant material is required to be clean on arrival in Australia. The following images provide an example of used wool processing machines cleaned offshore, under AQIS supervision, to ensure the machines arrived in Australia in a clean state.
Figure 29: Used wool processor
Figure 30: Cleaned will processor
Figure 31: Contaminated wool processor
Figure 32: Cleaned and disinfected wool processor
Definitions
For the purpose of this paper:
Animal material: Any material that originates from, or is produced by, a living animal including hair, fur, skin, faeces, shell, blood and fluids, feathers, honey, flesh and bone.
Contamination: Any soil, plant or animal material located on the machinery.
Dismantled: All designated parts are removed from the machinery to facilitate the inspection of hollow or concealed sections.
New machinery: Any recently manufactured and/or assembled parts that are taken from the factory floor and transported without exposure to conditions that may lead to contamination. Conditions that may lead to contamination include extended storage in areas exposed to the environment.
Plant material: Any material that originates from, or is produced by, a plant including pollen, spores, flowers, seeds, gum, leaves, branches, roots, stems, bark, wood and fruits.
Quarantine Risk Material (QRM): The presence of material of quarantine concern, including plant and animal material, including but not limited to cereal grains and other whole seeds and soil.
Soil: A mixture of organic and inorganic material capable of sustaining life. This includes, but is not limited to, gravel and sand.
Used machinery: Includes machinery that has been refurbished, reconditioned, factory models, field tested, factory tested involving the use of agricultural products (soil, plant or animal material). All used machinery must be declared to AQIS and be inspected for quarantine risk material.