This document defines the minimum documentary and import declaration requirements that must be met when lodging a declaration to the department to support risk assessment of imported goods, whether for biosecurity purpose or the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
Policy Review
In 2019, the department announced a review of the minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy. Following internal and external stakeholder engagement, the review has been completed and the updated policy has been published.
The purpose of this review was to ensure that the policy was clear and aligned with legislative requirements, other departmental policies, and import condition requirements. The review of the policy also captured the need to address emerging biosecurity risks. Key changes to the existing policy have been made. See the policy’s Table of Changes for key details on these changes.
The revised policy comes into effect on 2 August 2021. Any goods exported to Australia from this date must follow the revised policy.
The department acknowledges that documentation issued for cargo exported to Australia prior to 2 August 2021 may not meet the revised policy requirements when the goods arrive after that date. To assist with managing biosecurity risk and movement of cargo, the existing policy will remain in effect for goods exported prior to 2 August 2021 until 31 October 2021.
Goods that are covered by annual packing declarations issued before 2 August 2021 will continue to be accepted until expiration 12 months from the issue date.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet has also been prepared to assist clients in meeting the revised policy requirements. A copy of the FAQ is available in the below table.
Download
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) PDF  |
3 | 345 KB |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) DOCX  |
3 | 495 KB |
| Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy PDF |
27 | 1.1 MB |
| Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy DOCX |
27 | 658 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact entrymanagement@agriculture.gov.au for assistance.
Documents - Effective 2 August 2021
Download
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact entrymanagement@agriculture.gov.au for assistance.