Biosecurity conditions apply to all commodities imported into Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Island under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and subordinate legislation.
Prior to importing goods into the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), please refer to the relevant subordinate legislation below to determine import conditions specific to each commodity including:
- whether an import permit is required
- pre-shipment processing requirements
- inspection, treatments and certification.
Notifications
The department has implemented new import conditions for solanaceous fruit and vegetables into Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to reduce the likelihood of the spread of tomato-potato psyllid (TPP). Further information on these new import conditions is available on our webpage.
Subordinate Legislation
- Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods – Christmas Island) Determination 2016
- Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods – Cocos (Keeling) Islands) Determination 2016
Please note that unless an exemption applies, or conditions are set out within the relevant determination, alternative conditions may apply. If you would like to import goods not covered in the determination, you will need an import permit.
Permit applications
Where an import permit is required, permits must be applied for and granted prior to the goods leaving Australian mainland.
If you would like to import goods not covered in the Goods Determination, you must apply for an import permit. The permit must be granted before your goods leave the Australian mainland.
To apply for an import permit, you can access the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
If you are not already registered in BICON you will need to register.
If you are experiencing difficulty with registration and application, please refer to BICON help and the BICON help card.
Certification
Specific commodities may require a health, veterinary and/or a phytosanitary certificate, or other relevant commercial documentation. These requirements are outlined under the Alternative conditions in the subordinate legislation for each Class of goods for which the Division applies.
Inspection of goods prior to shipment from mainland Australia
Certain commodities must be inspected and/or certified by Australian plant health regulators before importing into the IOT. Inspections are performed to:
- verify that all the required measures have been performed
- confirm that the commodity is free of visually detectable pests and diseases
- ensure freedom from contaminants, such as soil, weed seeds or plant trash.
Inspection on arrival in IOT
All fresh produce are to be inspected by a Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment biosecurity officer prior to release, therefore packaging must be suitable for opening to allow inspection. The presence of biosecurity pests and/or other biosecurity risk material will necessitate remedial action.
Remedial action may include: treatment, if available, or export to mainland Australia.
Plant commodities imported without inspection pose a risk of introducing serious pests or diseases. Import conditions are set using a risk assessment by technical and scientific experts. The conditions are managed by us.
Fresh produce import conditions
Fresh produce approved for import into the IOT are for human consumption only.
Import conditions are:
- only valid if the produce is not diverted from their intended use (e.g. for planting)
- subject to change.