Date of issue: 2 March 2021
Date of effect: 9 March 2021
Reference Number: MAA2021-05
Attention:
- Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia – Infant Nutrition Council
- Export dairy establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment — Central and Regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice provides information on the Republic of the Philippines agreement to temporarily remove the paper health certificate requirement for dairy and dairy products exported from Australia.
From 9 March 2021, certification will only be issued electronically via the eCert platform.
Summary of key points
- The department has received notification from the Republic of the Philippines’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) that it will now exclusively accept electronic certification (eCert) for dairy and dairy products exported from Australia. BAI has advised that this temporary, paperless trade arrangement will be implemented until 31 May 2021. The continued acceptance of eCert will be reviewed at the end of the trial period.
- The acceptance of eCert removes the need for paper certification to be presented for the clearance of Australian dairy consignments at Philippines ports of entry.
- Export certification information will be provided to the Philippines using the department’s online eCert platform. The eCert platform is a secure government-to-government system and access is not provided to exporters.
- The issuing of health certificates via eCert will apply to all Requests for Permit (RFPs) raised/completed on or after 9 March 2021.
- From 9 March 2021, certification will only be issued electronically via the eCert platform. This temporary change will apply to all dairy products exported to the Philippines. In line with this, the department will issue exporters with an extract of data reflecting details of the consignment. This extract will comprise of RFP data only and is not intended to accompany dairy consignments for clearance at the point of entry.
- Exporters or their agents will be able to remotely print copies of the extract of data through EXDOC software to meet their local commercial requirements and for their own recording purposes.
- Exporters encountering any difficulties with the acceptance of paperless eCert trade following implementation should contact the department via foodexportdocumentation@awe.gov.au.
| New eCert Extract Template Code | EXDOC Description | Original Export Certificate Number | Previous EXDOC Endorsement |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHEXD | DAIRY - Philippines- Human Consumption | ZD035 | 300, 356, 463, 2943 |
| PHEXDC | PHILIPPINES DAIRY EXTRACT AS TO CONDITION | ZD001 | |
| PHEXSF | PHILIPPINES EXTRACT FOR STOCK FOOD | ZD015 | |
| PHEXMG | PHILIPPINES EXTRACT FOR MANUFACTURING GRADE PRODUCT | ZD016 |
- There have been no changes to Philippines sanitary requirements for dairy and dairy products exported to Philippines.
- The department’s Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) page will be updated to reflect the changes to certification requirements.
- The previous certification arrangements will not be accepted by the Republic of the Philippines for exports occurring on or after 9 March 2021.
Further information
Contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.