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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Importing goods
  5. Food
  6. Voluntary government certification

Sidebar first - Import

  • Food
    • How to import food
      • Food Import Compliance Agreements
        • FICA audits
    • Import requirements by food type
      • Importing food from New Zealand
      • Pure and highly concentrated caffeine products
      • Cereal grains and cereal products
      • Coconut and coconut meat
      • Coconut milk drinks
      • Cheese
      • Dried milk
      • Raw milk cheese
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      • Beef and beef products
      • Processed meat - cooked
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      • Uncooked slow dry cured ham
      • Peanuts and pistachios
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      • Cassava chips
      • Tofu, soy bean curd, soy milk curd
      • Mini jelly cups containing konjac
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      • Histamine susceptible fish
      • Processed finfish
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      • Full Import Declarations
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    • Foreign government certification
      • Mandatory government certification
      • Voluntary government certification
      • Applying for a certification arrangement
    • Notices
    • Legislation

Voluntary government certification

Countries can export some foods which are classified as risk into Australia under a voluntary certification arrangement. This assures us that food safety risks are being managed.

Food covered by a recognised foreign government certificate in a voluntary arrangement is tested at a lower rate. This can reduce border clearance processes. If non-compliance is detected, inspection/ testing is increased.

Some food requires a mandatory government certification arrangement for import.

All biosecurity import conditions must be met before food safety requirements apply. Check our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

How to apply

Read about how to apply and the assessment process.

Current certification arrangements

We have a voluntary arrangement with Canada and Thailand for certain seafood. If you have a certificate, it may reduce inspection and testing for:

  • processed bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products (Thailand only)
  • cooked crustaceans
  • histamine susceptible fish
  • processed finfish ready to eat

Lodging a foreign government certificate

You must declare your certificate when you lodge a Full Import Declaration (FID). This will reduce your inspection and testing rate.

When lodging a FID, use the correct document code and certificate number. Look at the relevant food requirements to find the document code. You’ll find the certificate number on your foreign government certificate.

The certificate must meet our minimum documentary and import declaration requirements.

See lodging declarations and documentation for imported food.

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Last updated: 09 June 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.