Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC)

Exports systems

The department has designed a modern, streamlined, enhanced exports traceability system to support overseas market access for exports of agricultural products.

The program includes developing a new export documentation system (NEXDOC), modernising the existing IT system platforms of EXDOC (Export Documentation System) and enhancing the Tracking Animal Certification Exports (TRACE) system and the Plant Exports Management System (PEMS).

Modernisation will strengthen Australia’s reputation as a provider of high-quality agricultural commodities, underpinned by robust, digitally enhanced services and regulatory practices. This enables industry to be more competitive in international markets through reduced regulatory costs while maintaining our strong regulatory reputation.

Australian export industries will benefit from upgraded systems providing modern, sophisticated platforms capable of integration with supporting systems and new technologies. Export documentation supported within the systems include:

export permits as required by the Export Control Act
export certificates as required by importing country authorities
extra certificates that support the export (such as transit certificates).

Modernisation of the export documentation system will strengthen Australia’s reputation as a provider of high-quality agricultural commodities, underpinned by robust, digitally enhanced services and regulatory practices. This enables industry to be more competitive in international markets through reduced regulatory costs while maintaining our strong regulatory reputation.

Upcoming NEXDOC transitions

Fish and fish products

Fish and Fish products will transition to NEXDOC on 30 September 2024

Registration for fish in NEXDOC is open.
EXDOC will close for consignments of fish from 30 September 2024.
You will need to be registered for fish in NEXDOC to raise export documentation to continue exporting fish and fish products.

Fish consignments to the People’s Republic of China

All certificates for the People’s Republic of China must be issued through NEXDOC from Monday 30 September. The REX (Request for Export) must be lodged and printed in NEXDOC.
China will expect NEXDOC certificates to be presented from 30 September 2024.
RFPs in EXDOC for fish products to China will need to be at COMP and the certificate printed prior to 5.00pm (AEST) 29 September 2024.
Any certificates printed from EXDOC for consignments arriving in China after 30 September 2024 may not be accepted by China’s import authorities, and the department may not be able to facilitate clearance at the border.
If you have an EXDOC certificate that requires replacing, you will need to contact the EXDOC Helpdesk email - exdoc.helpdesk@aff.gov.au

Fish consignments to all other countries

At 5.00pm Sunday 29 September 2024 (AEST) EXDOC will be turned off for new fish RFPs.
There is a transition / grace period for other importing countries
- Any RFP in EXDOC at ORDR, INIT, INSP, FINL or HCRD status on Sunday 29 September 2024 at 5.00pm (AEST) will have until 29 November 2024 for the RFP to be set to complete ‘COMP’ status and the certificate printed.
Other countries will not accept EXDOC certification after 29 November 2024. RFP’s issued through EXDOC will have to be set to COMP and certificates printed in enough time for the goods to be cleared by the importing country before 29 November 2024.
Any RFP not at COMP status and the certificate printed not by 29 November 2024 will need to be lodged as a new REX in NEXDOC.

Automated export permit issuers

If you are an existing authorised approved quality assurance (AQA) user in EXDOC, when you register as a client group or exporter in NEXDOC (formerly EDI) you will need to apply for the permission as an automated export permit issuer (AEPI) for NEXDOC.

If you would like to become an AEPI in NEXDOC, you will need to register as a client group or exporter, and in addition, request to be an AEPI.

For further information please see the published advice to industry at this link – Automated Export Permit Issuers

Support available

We have organised Drop-In Sessions, available for exporters, agents, software and other interested industry people to walk through the steps to Register their organisation on NEXDOC.

The sessions are available at these times:

Find out more on transitioning commodities to NEXDOC.

Background

The department is incrementally onboarding commodities to NEXDOC.

There are many benefits for exporters to use the system including:

improved product traceability through increased visibility across the whole export supply chain
modern technology that integrates with other systems
automated instead of manual processes
24/7 self-service
improved reporting
interactive workflow processes
ability to generate an export certification with a unique QR code as well as the certificate number, to improve tracking and security
ability to liaise with the department directly through the system.

For information on our other exports systems visit:

Access the new system

When your commodity is available, you can access the NEXDOC system through:

the online service portal on the department’s website, or
third-party software.

If you are using a third-party software solution, ensure you discuss the transition with your provider. To understand more about user profiles, please visit NEXDOC Help.

Find out more on how to access NEXDOC.