2023-24: Changes to the appearance of Australia’s official marks – bolt seals and tamper-indicative metal strap seals

23 August 2023

Purpose

This notice provides notification of a change in the appearance of official marks – bolt seals and tamper-indicative metal strap seals - and advice of the new seals implementation date.

Scope

This notice applies to all clients receiving export certification services from the department.

Summary of changes

Following a recent tender process, a change in appearance of bolt seals and tamper-indicative metal strap seals will occur.

The implementation date for these changes is 1 October 2023.

The existing bolt seals and tamper-indicative metal strap seals must cease being applied on 30 September 2023.

The department will be notifying trading partners of the upcoming changes, including the appearance of the new seals to facilitate a smooth transition and prevent any disruptions to trade.

Responsibilities

Establishments are advised to ensure adequate stock levels of current seals to see through exports until 30 September 2023. Please email VEMGPlanning&Coord@aff.gov.au should stock levels be inadequate to meet this timeframe.

Appearance of the new seals

Seal ordering information for initial rollout

The department has contracted Mega Fortris Pty Ltd to supply and deliver official seals directly to stakeholders.

An updated order form is provided with this industry advice notice below.

Download

Export security seal order form (PDF 1 MB)
Export security seal order form (DOCX 262 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

Seal consignments will be delivered by Direct Freight Express couriers.
The order form has changed to include additional stakeholder delivery details to assist the courier, Direct Freight Express to find the nominated location.
The department will continue to receive all seal orders to VEMGPlanning&Coord@aff.gov.au

It is preferred that the seal order form is typed for ease of review and to ensure correct delivery details are used.

Step by Step Instruction

Complete all fields of the Seal order form.
Forward the completed seal order form to VEMGPlanning&Coord@aff.gov.au.
Mega Fortris will receive your seal order from the department and process the order – if received by Mega Fortris prior to 11.00am EDST it will be dispatched the same day.
Your order can be tracked using the email address provided in the seal order form.
Direct Freight Express will deliver your order, depending on your location in 1-10 business days Australia wide.

The initial rollout for the new seals will commence from 1 September 2023.

Definitions

The following table defines terms used in this notice.

Term	Definition
Official mark – tamper-indicative metal strap seal	As defined in the Export Control Rules 2021. For example, in the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) 2021, Part 3: 8‑14 Official mark—tamper‑indicative metal strap seal A seal that: is a tamper‑indicative metal strap seal that can be secured in a loop by inserting one end of the seal into or through a protected locking mechanism on the other end; and complies with ISO 17712:2013 Freight containers—Mechanical seals, published by the International Organization for Standardization, as that document exists at the commencement of this instrument; and bears the words “Australian Government”; and bears a unique number, or a unique combination of letters and numbers, provided to the manufacturer of the seal by the Department; is an official mark for the purposes of the Act.
Official mark – bolt seal	As defined in the Export Control Rules 2021. For example, in the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) 2021, Part 3: 8‑15 Official mark—bolt seal A seal that: is a high security bolt seal; and complies with ISO 17712:2013 Freight containers—Mechanical seals, published by the International Organization for Standardization, as that document exists at the commencement of this instrument; and bears the words “Australian Government”; and bears a unique number, or a unique combination of letters and numbers, provided to the manufacturer of the seal by the Department; and is coated with green or blue plastic; is an official mark for the purposes of the Act.

Term

Definition

Official mark – tamper-indicative metal strap seal

As defined in the Export Control Rules 2021. For example, in the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) 2021, Part 3: 8‑14 Official mark—tamper‑indicative metal strap seal A seal that:

is a tamper‑indicative metal strap seal that can be secured in a loop by inserting one end of the seal into or through a protected locking mechanism on the other end; and
complies with ISO 17712:2013 Freight containers—Mechanical seals, published by the International Organization for Standardization, as that document exists at the commencement of this instrument; and
bears the words “Australian Government”; and
bears a unique number, or a unique combination of letters and numbers, provided to the manufacturer of the seal by the Department;

is an official mark for the purposes of the Act.

Official mark – bolt seal

As defined in the Export Control Rules 2021. For example, in the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) 2021, Part 3: 8‑15 Official mark—bolt seal A seal that:

is a high security bolt seal; and
complies with ISO 17712:2013 Freight containers—Mechanical seals, published by the International Organization for Standardization, as that document exists at the commencement of this instrument; and
bears the words “Australian Government”; and
bears a unique number, or a unique combination of letters and numbers, provided to the manufacturer of the seal by the Department; and
is coated with green or blue plastic;

is an official mark for the purposes of the Act.

Next steps

Further information regarding the destruction procedure of current seals will be provided shortly.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding this Industry Advice Notice, please email officialmarks.exportmeat@aff.gov.au or the Non-prescribed Goods Export Program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au

Christine Mulhearn
Assistant Secretary
Residues and Food Branch
Exports and Veterinary Services Division
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry