IAN 2024-11: NEXDOC – Fish and Fish Products Moving to NEXDOC

Date of issue: 13 September 2024

Dates of effect: 30 September 2024

Attention:

Registered fish exporters, manufacturers, agents, freight forwarders and registered export manufacturing establishments
Seafood Industry Australia
Central and Regional offices of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department)

Purpose

To notify stakeholders that the Next Export Documentation (NEXDOC) system will replace the Export Documentation (EXDOC) system for fish certification from Monday 30 September 2024.

Key points

From 5.00pm Sunday 29 September 2024 (AEST) fish permits and certificate requests cannot be raised in EXDOC.

Fish export certification will be issued through NEXDOC starting 30 September 2024.

NEXDOC will bring new functionality that will support industry including changes to certification such as printing on plain paper and the introduction of QR codes to increase security. Exporters will be able to print certification using their own printers and also raise certification through the NEXDOC portal if they export infrequently.

The terminology will change and a Request for Permit (RFP) will now be referred to as a Request for Export (REX) in NEXDOC.

Transition period

From 30 September 2024, fish exporters or their agents will need to lodge all new export documentation for fish and fish products in NEXDOC.

Consignments to the People’s Republic of China

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
All certificates for China must be issued through NEXDOC from 30 September 2024.

Consignments to all other countries

There is a transition / grace period for other importing countries:

Other countries will not accept EXDOC certification after 29 November 2024.
For RFP’s not at COMP by 29 September 2024 – these will have to be set to COMP and certificates printed in time for the goods to be cleared by the importing country using EXDOC certification before 29 November 2024.

Automated export permit issuers

If you are an existing authorised approved quality assurance (AQA) user in EXDOC, when you register as a client group (formally known as an EDI user) or exporter in NEXDOC 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 notice.

Software users

The department continues to work with software providers in preparation for the 30 September 2024 release and rollout of NEXDOC for fish.

It is important that you work closely with your software provider to ensure your system needs are met and you are well positioned to commence using NEXDOC for fish products from 30 September 2024.

Register for fish in NEXDOC

Be ready for the changeover and register for fish in NEXDOC! Registration is open in NEXDOC for fish exporters, agents and freight forwarders.

Access the online service portal and register.

If you are a fish exporter or EDI user, you will need to register via the department’s online service portal.

If you are already a registered NEXDOC user, you will need to add the fish commodity to your account.

Online Drop-in sessions

Online information sessions are available to walk through the registration process. Links to join the sessions are on the NEXDOC webpage. To join a drop-in session, click on the session link you would like to attend at the allocated time.

The next drop-in sessions are scheduled for these dates and times:

Further information

Help guides, short videos and FAQs are available on the NEXDOC Help page.

If you have any questions relating to this notice or any system-related queries, please contact NEXDOC@aff.gov.au.

For any questions regarding export requirements, please contact dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.

Caroline Martin
Assistant Secretary
Digital Clearance Service
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

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.