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Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Before you import goods
  5. Returning Australian products

Sidebar first - Import

  • Before you import goods
    • Seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)
      • Offshore BMSB treatment providers scheme
        • Guidance factsheets for conducting BMSB treatments
        • List of offshore BMSB treatment providers
      • Preparing to import BMSB goods
      • Safeguarding arrangements
      • Management of LCL/FAK containers
      • What happens to your goods on arrival
      • Management of vessels
    • How to import goods
      • Working with the import cargo and shipping industry
    • Preparing for import
      • Treating cargo outside Australia
        • Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme
          • AFAS Questions and Answers
          • Offshore methyl bromide treatment providers list
          • Participating Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme countries & government contact details
        • Ethylene Oxide Offshore Treatment Providers Scheme
          • Pre-Shipment Treatment Import Certificate
        • Offshore Irradiation Treatment Providers Scheme
        • Offshore Treatment Providers
      • Treatment providers outside Australia
        • Sea container hygiene system
      • Specifications for sea freight container inspection stands
      • Cargo containers: biosecurity aspects and procedures
    • Sending your goods
      • Airports
        • First Points of Entry – information for arriving aircraft and goods
        • First points of entry - airport operator requirements
      • Seaports
    • Returning Australian products
    • Self assessed clearance cargo: how we work with industry
    • Temporary imports and events
    • Exhibitions, sporting, cultural and other events

Returning Australian products

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment must assess the biosecurity risk of goods that have been exported from Australia but are now returning to Australia. This assessment must happen before goods are brought back into Australia. The department needs to verify that the product is of Australian origin and whether it’s likely to contain or have been contaminated with a disease or pest that may compromise Australia's highly favourable animal, plant and human health status. Returning Australian goods are conditionally non-prohibited goods under the Biosecurity Act 2015, and will be subject to conditions if they are approved to be brought back into Australia.

You may need an import permit.

The department understands that products that have been exported from Australia may have to be returned at short notice. To expedite the assessment process, applications for an import permit for returning Australian products must be accompanied by the following information:

[expand all]

The department’s export health certificate

  • A copy of the export certificate issued by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for the specific consignment.
  • Bills of Lading for outgoing and return journey.

The form in which the product is returning

Provide details such as whether the:

  • container seals are intact (container unopened)
  • container seals broken but product (e.g. meat) intact in original container
  • container seals broken and product (e.g. meat) samples withdrawn
  • containers unpacked under foreign quarantine supervision
  • containers unpacked but not under foreign quarantine supervision, and/or
  • container cleared quarantine and currently not under quarantine supervision.

Each subsequent point above represents an increased biosecurity risk due to greater potential for contamination or substitution.

The reason for return

Provide

  • details on why the product was rejected or why the product is being returned
  • supporting documentation (e.g. laboratory results, customs report, etc.).

Whether product is for export or domestic consumption

If the product is for domestic consumption it may be subject to the Imported Food Control Act 1992. The department may inform the relevant state jurisdiction about the product and the reason for its return to Australia.

Australian port that the product is returning to

For example, Melbourne, Sydney, etc.

Regulatory action on prescribed goods returned to Australia

  • Products must be assessed for biosecurity risk before they are returned to Australia, and they may need an import permit.
  • The department's permit issuing areas will make an assessment based on the information provided by the importer and relevant authorities.
  • If the goods cannot be re-imported but are already in the country, they must be destroyed or re-exported.
  • In cases where a permit is issued or the department deems that a permit is not required, the importer must declare whether the goods are destined for the domestic market or for re-export.

The department reserves the right to request additional information including government certification from the ‘exporting’ country to provide assurance that the returning Australian product has not been contaminated or substituted.

Domestic market

  • Food products for the domestic market may be tested as part of the department's Imported Food Inspection Scheme, which checks that foods are safe for human consumption and comply with the relevant standards. Importers will be informed if the food requires inspection under this scheme.
  • If the product is not referred to the Imported Food Inspection Scheme, the state or territory to which the food is destined may be notified. It is possible that the state or territory will deem the product unacceptable and seek its destruction.

Export

  • If the product is to be re-exported it will not be subject to testing under the Imported Inspection Scheme or by state or territory jurisdictions. The owner of the goods must ensure that all the requirements of the Export Control Act 2020 are met.

General enquiries

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Last updated: 20 September 2022

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.