Chemical and mined fertiliser

Chemical fertiliser is a product that results from a manufacturing process. It includes (but is not limited to):

• ammonium nitrate
• calcium nitrate
• potash
• potassium nitrate
• urea
• mono-ammonium phosphate
• di-ammonium phosphate.

Mined fertiliser is a natural, in-organic product mined from the earth itself. It includes (but is not limited to):

• rock phosphate
• sulphur
• mineralised humic-based fertiliser
• guano-based fertiliser.

Fertiliser assessment and management policies

Importing chemical and mined material

Chemical and mined fertilisers must meet relevant import conditions.

Unprocessed non-liquid bulk chemical and mined fertilisers that require further processing onshore (other than packaging) must be imported under a valid import permit which has been issued by the department.

The Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) contains information on import requirements and applying for an import permit.

Changes to existing policies and conditions will apply from 30 April 2026.

A summary of these changes is available below.

Imported inorganic assessment and management fertiliser policies

New policy documents

The new policy documents are available below to support the 30 April implementation date.

These policies have been developed by the department in consultation with industry.

Please note: Goods currently on water and/or loaded prior to 30 April 2026 can meet import conditions as in effect prior to the policy and import conditions implementation date and will be managed accordingly.

Download

• Imported Inorganic Fertiliser Management Policy (PDF 663 KB)
• Imported Inorganic Fertiliser Management Policy (DOCX 864 KB)
   
• Attachment 1: Entity-registration-application (PDF 351 KB)
• Attachment 1: Entity-registration-application (DOCX 259 KB)
   
• Attachment 2: Independent-third-party-on-site-audit-template (PDF 365 KB)
• Attachment 2: Independent-third-party-on-site-audit-template (DOCX 233 KB)
   
• Attachment 3: Marine-surveyors-VCI-guide-cert (PDF 530 KB)
• Attachment 3: Marine-surveyors-VCI-guide-cert (DOCX 784 KB)
   
• Attachment 4: Loading-sample-inspection-guidelines-and-certificate-template (PDF 522 KB)
• Attachment 4: Loading-sample-inspection-guidelines-and-certificate-template (DOCX 764 KB)
   
• Attachment 5: Manufacturers-declaration-in-ships-hold-cargo (PDF 296 KB)
• Attachment 5: Manufacturers-declaration-in-ships-hold-cargo (DOCX 225 KB)
   
• Attachment 6: Vessel-schedule-template (PDF 278 KB)
• Attachment 6: Vessel-schedule-template (DOCX 97 KB)
   
• Attachment 7: Manufacturers-declaration-containerised-cargo (PDF 295 KB)
• Attachment 7: Manufacturers-declaration-containerised-cargo (DOCX 225 KB)
   
• Summary of changes (PDF 138 KB)
• Summary of changes (DOCX 22 KB)

Any enquiries about the information within the documents should be directed to SeaCargoPolicy@aff.gov.au.

For a list of registered inorganic fertiliser manufacturers, please see registered inorganic fertiliser supply chains.

Fertiliser assessment and management policies (applying pre-30 April 2026)

The following assessment and management policies will cease to be in effect from April 30:

• Imported Inorganic Bulk Cargo Fertiliser (goods shipped in bulk vessels on a hold by hold basis, both loose and bagged goods)
• Containerised Fertiliser (including bulk, in bags greater than 100 kg, and small bags of 100 kg or less that are not packed at the place of production)

Bulk

Containerised

Further information

Contact our Imports team.