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Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Importing goods
  5. Uncooked prawns

Sidebar first - Import

  • Importing goods
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Uncooked prawns and other prawn products for human consumption

Increased biosecurity measures are in place for importing uncooked prawns and prawn products for human consumption in order to facilitate the safe trade of prawns while meeting Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP). These measures will remain in place while the department undertakes a review of the biosecurity risks and import conditions for prawns and prawn products for human consumption. If during this time the biosecurity risks change, the department may amend our import conditions to ensure they meet Australia’s ALOP.

Enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and prawn products for human consumption are summarised below and also available in the prawn products requirements table. Detailed information on import permit conditions can also be found:

  • In the Biosecurity Advice Notice 2017-12 – End of prawn suspension and import conditions for prawns and prawn products for human consumption;
  • Through Australia’s Biosecurity Import Conditions database (BICON).

The department has implemented interim changes to import conditions to manage the biosecurity risks associated with Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). Further detail is published in  Animal Biosecurity Advice 2020-A03.

For the most recent information regarding the management of recent detections of White Spot Disease in Queensland please see https://www.outbreak.gov.au/current-responses-to-outbreaks/white-spot-disease

1. Imported uncooked prawns for human consumption

Uncooked prawns, marinated prawns, non par-cooked breaded, battered or crumbed prawns and Australian uncooked prawns processed overseas (excluding those processed in an Australian government approved supply chain) are now consolidated into the one product class, uncooked peeled prawns.

Since July 2017, enhanced import conditions apply to imports of uncooked prawns, which are summarised in Import Industry Advice Notice 65-2017. Import statistics including those consignments that have tested positive for WSSV on arrival in Australia, are available on the Uncooked prawn consignments web page.

The trading partners which have confirmed that they can meet Australia’s import conditions for uncooked prawns can be found on the List of approved countries and overseas authorities for prawns.

Consignments of imported uncooked prawns must meet biosecurity labelling requirements. These requirements include that:

  • The primary packaging (i.e. the retail ready packaging) of the product is clearly labelled ‘For human consumption only – not to be used as bait or feed for aquatic animals’.
  • Primary packaging must include the batch number. Batch numbers can be the best before date, but must match the batch number identified on the health certificate.
  • The labels must be freezer grade labels
  • The labels must be permanent (i.e. not easily removable)
  • The labels must be stable at -20°C.
  • Secondary packaging (i.e. the outer carton) is not considered the primary or retail ready package

Importers should also be mindful of food labelling requirements with other regulatory provisions, including food standards developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

Sampling of prawns

Samples of uncooked prawns for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and yellow head virus genotype 1 (YHV1) testing will be taken by Biosecurity Officers under secure seals intact conditions at Approved Arrangement locations.

Sixty-five prawns from 13 randomly selected cartons (5 prawns from each carton) will be taken from each importer-declared batch. A batch cannot be greater than one shipping container. Five prawns are pooled as one sample for testing.

The WSSV and YHV1 testing regime (the number of prawns taken from each batch of prawns) is designed to provide a 95% level of confidence of detecting WSSV or YHV1, if present, at a prevalence of 5% or greater in a batch of imported uncooked prawns.

Laboratory testing

Importers can nominate one of the three approved screening laboratories to conduct WSSV and YHV1 testing:

Agrigen Pty Ltd
Approved Arrangements Number: N2813
Address: Unit 1 of 6, Chaplin Drive, Lane Cove West, NSW 2066
Telephone: +61 2 8856 0988
Facsimile: +61 2 8856 0988
Email: info@agrigen.com.au

Elizabeth MacArthur Agricultural Institute
Approved Arrangements Number: N2338
Address: Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth MacArthur Agricultural Institute, Woodbridge Rd, Menangle NSW 2568
Telephone: +61 2 4640 6337
Facsimile: +61 2 4640 6429
Email: virology.enquiries@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Symbio Laboratories Pty Ltd
Approved Arrangements Number: N3003 & N3004
Address: 2 Sirius Road, Lane Cove West, NSW 2066
Telephone: +61 1300 703 166
Facsimile: +61 7 3219 0333
Email: admin@symbiolabs.com.au

The department has approved a standardised testing procedure for WSSV for testing imported prawns on-arrival. The standardised testing procedure has been adopted by all testing laboratories from 5 October 2017. The main requirements to implement the WSSV testing procedure are:

  • The WSSV real-time PCR must run for 45 cycles.
  • A negative result for the batch is where there is no amplification of WSSV DNA within 45 cycles in all 13 samples.
  • A positive result for the batch is where there is detectable amplification of WSSV DNA before 45 cycles in one or more of the 13 samples.

When a screening laboratory reports positive results in a batch, the importer has the option to request confirmatory re-testing of samples at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), formally known as the Australian Animal Health Laboratory. The request for confirmatory re-testing must be communicated to the department within 5 working days of receiving the positive test result. All costs are borne by importers. No laboratories other than ACDP may carry out confirmatory testing.

Imported uncooked prawns that are deemed non-compliant will be directed for cooking, disposing or exporting as detailed below.

Applications to import uncooked prawns must include the name and address of the importer, manufacturer and exporter, and a description of the product to be imported. Any additional ingredients should also be provided in the application. It is recommended that applicants complete the uncooked prawns for human consumption questionnaire available through BICON, as the same information is required to accompany the application.

The application will be assessed on the above information as well as any other criteria deemed relevant by the Delegate of the Director of Biosecurity.

Trade cannot commence if the country of export’s Competent Authority hasn’t confirmed that they can meet Australia’s import conditions. Refer above to ‘Countries that can meet Australia's import conditions’ listed above for more information.

The department monitors the importation of uncooked prawns closely, and provides updated statistics on uncooked prawn consignments that have been imported into Australia since 7 July 2017.

Please see the following webpage: Uncooked prawn consignments.

2. Imported breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns for human consumption

Since September 2018, BBC prawns must have undergone a par-cooking step after the prawns have been coated to solidify and adhere the coating to the prawn. For more information on par-cooking please see the following webpage: Guideline – Acceptable par-cooking of BBC Prawns.

BBC prawns that have not undergone an acceptable par-cooking step must comply with the import conditions for uncooked prawns outlined above.

The trading partners which have confirmed that they can meet Australia’s import conditions for breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns can be found at the List of approved countries and overseas authorities for prawns.

Uncooked BBC prawns are subject to a 100 per cent secure seals intact fully supervised inspection regime on arrival. Containers must remain unopened and seals intact. Biosecurity Officers must remove the seals and verify the details of the consignment and the product as part of the inspection process.

Inspection procedures may also involve attempts to wash off the coating of thawed product and visual comparisons of the product at the border to the photos and information supplied at the permit assessment step to ensure consistency.

The department will assess all BBC prawn products when an importer applies for an import permit and apply the appropriate import conditions. It is recommended that applicants complete the uncooked prawns for human consumption questionnaire available through BICON, as the same information is required to accompany the application.

Applications to import uncooked breaded, battered or crumbed prawn products must include the name and address of the importer, manufacturer and exporter, and certain information about the commodity to be imported. Further detail is available on the following webpage: Guideline – Par-cooked BBC Prawns

3. Imported cooked prawns and prawn products for human consumption

The department closely monitors imports of cooked prawns and prawn products to ensure import conditions continue to manage biosecurity risks appropriately. If biosecurity risks are considered to have changed, the department will amend import conditions accordingly.

From 4 June 2018, the department introduced random seals intact fully supervised inspections for cooked prawn consignments. These randomly selected inspections provide additional assurance that import conditions for cooked prawns are being met. Import conditions require that:

  • As a result of the cooking process all protein in the prawn meat has coagulated and no raw prawn meat remains; and
  • All consignments are accompanied by a health certificate issued by the competent authority that confirms the above.

Samples of the product will be taken during the inspection and the department will advise on the outcome within five working days.
Prawns or prawn products that are imported and deemed non-compliant will be directed for cooking, disposal or exporting as detailed below.

4. Other relevant information

Brokers and importers are encouraged to contact the department to book inspections for consignments that have been directed for inspection. This will assist in reducing delays and assist the department with planning inspection activities. To request an appointment, complete the request for inspection form and email it to the department in the location where the cargo is held.

Biosecurity Industry Participants (BIPs) and importers need to be aware of the following prior to Biosecurity Officers attending premises to conduct inspection and sampling of goods:

  • Inspections can only be conducted at the approved arrangement site that the department has approved for the inspection of imported prawn products. For more information, see class 2.5 requirements for prawn and prawn products.
  • Containers must remain unopened and seals intact. Biosecurity Officers must be present to inspect and verify the seal number, and then supervise the breaking of the seal and open the container as part of the inspection process. If the seals are not intact, the inspection will not proceed and product will be deemed non-compliant.
  • Two Biosecurity Officers will attend each seals intact inspection.
  • Fee for service rates will apply for each officer.
  • Expected duration of inspection is a minimum of four hours, however, it may vary depending on the quantity to be inspected, the number of batches to be sampled, etc.
  • Additional labour to assist Biosecurity Officers with handling cartons during the inspection should be considered. Please note: Biosecurity Officers will be present for the entire duration of the unpack and charges apply for the total time taken.
  • The importer is responsible for all transport costs prior to and after inspection, including cargo handling, additional labour and cold storage fees.

Prawns that are imported and deemed non-compliant must be cooked, disposed of or exported as outlined below.

Cooked prawns also remain subject to the imported food inspection and testing regime. The department will undertake biosecurity and imported food inspections at the same time where resourcing permits. However, importers may be required to make a separate appointment for imported food inspection and testing. This may cause an additional delay in the release of the goods.

Failing to comply with a Biosecurity direction is a breach of the Biosecurity Act 2015. Interference with the goods prior to inspection by a biosecurity officer will result in a direction to export being issued and possible civil or criminal prosecution. Enforcement action may be instigated where non-compliance is identified.

Batches of imported uncooked prawns, BBC prawns or cooked prawns that fail to meet import conditions must within a reasonable time period (usually 28 days) be:

  • Exported; or
  • Disposed of at a facility with an approved arrangement; or
  • Treated (i.e. cooked) at a facility with an approved arrangement.

The ACDP is available for confirmatory re-testing of uncooked prawn samples that have failed virus testing. The request for a confirmatory re-test must be communicated within 5 working days to the department upon receipt of the positive test result.

Disposal or treatment of prawns

The following fact sheets are available for disposal and cooking procedures of prawns:

  • Prawn meat cooking requirements
  • Prawn disposal requirements

Export of prawns

Biosecurity Industry Participants (BIPs) and importers need to be aware of the following requirements when they elect to have the goods exported:

  • Departmental officers will supervise the export of all uncooked prawns and BBC prawn products where the importer has elected to export the goods.
  • For goods that have not been unpacked and remain in the container in which they were imported, an officer will verify that the details of the consignment (e.g. container number) and the seal number match the import documentation and the seal is intact prior to the goods being exported.
  • For goods that are being packed for export, a departmental officer will need to be in attendance for the duration that the container is being packed. The officer will verify the details of the goods being packed into the container and that a seal has been applied to the container prior to the goods being exported.
  • Two officers may be required when the goods are packed into a container.
  • Fee for service rates will apply for each officer.
  • Expected duration for a seal check will be a minimum of thirty minutes.
  • Expected duration for the packing of a container is expected to be 2 hours, however, it may be longer. Please note: officers will be present for the entire duration of the pack and charges apply for the total time taken to complete the packing and seal the container.
  • An adequate safe inspection area is required during the cargo packing operations.
  • The importer is responsible for all transport costs prior to and after inspection, including cargo handling, additional labour and cold storage fees.
  • To request an appointment, complete the Request for inspection form and email it to the department in the location where the cargo is held.
  • The Request for permission to dispose of goods/conveyance form must be completed.

Movement procedures for failed consignments of prawns

The department has developed a factsheet outlining requirements on the movement of prawn consignments that failed to meet import conditions. Movement procedures outlined in the factsheet apply for any non-compliant consignment of prawns or prawn products.

If you wish to report suspicious activities related to imported prawns that may be of a biosecurity concern, please call the Redline number on 1800 803 006. For more information, please see the department’s suggestions, compliments and complaints webpage.

5. Reviews of biosecurity risks

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has commenced a review of the biosecurity risks of, and import conditions for, prawns and prawn products into Australia.

  • The department announced the commencement of the review on 16 May 2017 - (Biosecurity Advice 2017/07).
    • The review will consider all biosecurity risks associated with prawns and prawn products imported for human consumption, not just those associated with WSSV.
    • Further information about the review can be found on the department’s website at Review of prawns and prawn products from all countries for human consumption or email Prawn review.

On 17 February 2017, the then Inspector-General of Biosecurity, Dr Helen Scott-Orr, formally advised the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of her review into biosecurity issues surrounding the outbreak of WSSV in Queensland.

The final report, which included the department’s response to the recommendations, was published on 12 December 2017 and can be found at the Inspector General of Biosecurity’s website by following the link:

A review of the circumstances leading to the 2017 suspension of uncooked prawn imports into Australia and the biosecurity considerations relevant to future trade in uncooked prawns.

On 21 March 2017, the Senate adopted the recommendations from the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee’s report Import of seafood and seafood products, including prawns and uncooked prawn meat into Australia and referred the matter for further inquiry. The final report was published on 31 October 2017. The Government’s response was tabled in Parliament on 25 May 2018. The final report, submissions, and the Government’s response can be found at the Parliament of Australia website for the biosecurity risks associated with the importation of seafood and seafood products (including uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat) into Australia.

The government takes the issues raised in these reviews very seriously. The recommendations support the work already undertaken to ensure the integrity of Australian biosecurity.

The majority of the key issues have been identified and addressed by the department including:

  • introducing enhanced import conditions and strict inspection and testing measures at the border.
  • undertaking a comprehensive review of the biosecurity risks of, and import conditions for, prawns and prawn products for human consumption.

The remaining recommendations from these reviews are part of the department’s ongoing review, and where necessary improvements, to biosecurity controls that manage the importation of prawns. Implementation of the response to some recommendations involves consultation and collaboration with state and territory governments and industry.

6. Publications

January to December 2020

Date IAN No. Description
29 October 2020 185-2020 Amendment to 117-2020 – Current list of countries able to meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns from 1 July 2020
16 July 2020 117-2020 Amendment to 112-2020 – Current list of countries able to meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns from 1 July 2020
10 July 2020 112-2020 Amendment to 107-2020 – Current list of countries able to meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns from 1 July 2020
3 July 2020 107-2020 Amendment to 101-2020 – Current list of countries able to meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns from 1 July 2020
26 June 2020 101-2020 Amendment to 94-2020 – Current list of countries able to meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns from 1 July 2020
23 June 2020 94-2020 Amendment to 87-2020 – Current list of countries able to meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns from 1 July 2020
18 June 2020 87-2020 Current list of countries able to meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns from 1 July 2020
15 May 2020 69-2020 Changes to import conditions for uncooked prawns from approved countries

January to December 2019

Date IAN No. Description
15 November 2019 192-2019 Addition of Myanmar to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
3 July 2019 109-2019 Addition of the Philippines to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
17 June 2019 93-2019 Addition of Ecuador to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
16 May 2019 73-2019 Addition of Peru to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products

January to December 2018

Date IAN No. Description
21 Nov 2018 164-2018 Countries that have advised they can supply updated health certification that meets Australia’s new import conditions for par-cooked breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns
13 Nov 2018 161-2018 Reminder: Biosecurity batch labelling requirements for uncooked peeled prawns
17 Oct 2018 147-2018 Certification requirements for prawns and prawn products exported from Malaysia
9 Oct 2018 139-2018 Countries that have advised they can supply updated health certification that meets Australia’s new import conditions for par-cooked breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns
4 Oct 2018 137-2018 Countries that have advised they can supply updated health certification that meets Australia’s new import conditions for par-cooked breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns
27 Sep 2018 134-2018 Countries that have advised they can supply updated health certification that meets Australia’s new import conditions for par-cooked breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns
21 Sep 2018 127-2018 Countries currently approved to meet Australia’s new import conditions for par-cooked breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns
14 Aug 2018 95-2018 Addition of Madagascar and Saudi Arabia to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
27 Jul 2018 80-2018 New import conditions for breaded, battered and crumbed prawns
6 Jul 2018 69-2018 Introduced inspection of cooked prawns - Updated
30 May 2018 44-2018 Introduced inspection of cooked prawns
30 May 2018 43-2018 Changes to breaded, battered and crumbed prawn import conditions
9 Feb 2018 14-2018 Addition of Indonesia to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
29 Jan 2018 07-2018 Addition of the United States of America to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products

January to December 2017

Date IAN No. Description
19 Dec 2017 122-2017 Addition of Argentina to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
19 Dec 2017 121-2017 Update on laboratories approved to test for viruses in imported raw frozen prawns
7 Sep 2017 84-2017 Addition of Denmark to list of countries able to meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
7 Sep 2017 83-2017 New approved arrangement requirements for the management of imported prawns and prawn products
25 Jul 2017 70-2017 Brunei Darussalam confirm they can meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
20 Jul 2017 69-2017 India confirm they can meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
12 Jul 2017 68-2017 Additional countries confirm they can meet Australia’s enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
6 Jul 2017 65-2017 Update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
30 Jun 2017 64-2017 Update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
15 Jun 2017 59-2017 Update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
31 May 2017 55-2017 Update on uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products for human consumption
16 May 2017 53-2017 Review of prawns and prawn products and update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
28 Apr 2017 45-2017 Update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
5 Apr 2017 35-2017 Update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
21 Mar 2017 23-2017 Increased inspection of breaded, battered and crumbed prawns and prawn meat
1 Mar 2017 20-2017 Update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
6 Feb 2017 11-2017 Update on temporary suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn products
17 Jan 2017 04-2017 New sampling protocols for suspended uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat imports
7 Jan 2017 02-2017 Suspension of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat imports

Date BAN No. Description
14 May 2020-A03 Interim import conditions for uncooked prawns and prawn products imported for human consumption into Australia
28 February 2020 2020-A02 Proposed interim import conditions for uncooked prawns and prawn products imported for human consumption into Australia
27 July 2018 2018-15 Import conditions for breaded, battered and crumbed prawns imported for human consumption
1 Jun 2018 2018-11 Prawns and prawn products from all countries for human consumption-extension of comment period
1 Jun 2018 2018-10 New import conditions for breaded, battered and crumbed prawns imported for human consumption
26 Mar 2018 2018-06 Prawns and prawn products from all countries for human consumption
30 Jun 2017 2017-12 End of prawn suspension and import conditions for prawns and prawn products for human consumption
15 Jun 2017 2017-10 Planned changes to import conditions for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat
16 May 2017 2017-07 Prawns and prawn products from all countries for human consumption

January to December 2018

Date Description
2 July 2018 Response to Four Corners, 2 July 2018
2 July 2018 Four Corners White Spot testing conclusions flawed

January to December 2017

Date Description
12 Dec 2017 Inspector-General of Biosecurity white spot review
3 Nov 2017 Update on prawn consignments imported under enhanced import conditions
2 Aug 2017 White spot syndrome virus testing at retail outlets
30 Jun 2017 Enhanced import conditions for uncooked prawns to take effect from 7 July
15 Jun 2017 Planned changes to import conditions for uncooked prawns
1 Jun 2017 Update on white spot disease in prawns, 1 June 2017
16 May 2017 Review of import conditions for prawns and prawn products
20 Apr 2017 Department’s action on imported prawns - update April 2017
10 Feb 2017 Department's action on imported prawns
13 Jan 2017 No definitive source of prawn disease has been found
7 Jan 2017 Federal agriculture department suspends uncooked prawn imports

December 2016

Date Description
23 Dec 2016 Update on white spot disease in Queensland
16 Dec 2016 Update on white spot disease in Queensland
9 Dec 2016 Update on white spot disease in Queensland
2 Dec 2016 Detection of white spot disease in Queensland prawns

May 2018

This document is to be completed by importers and submitted to a departmental biosecurity officer during the inspection process for uncooked prawns.

Download

Document File size
Uncooked prawn sampling declaration PDF  98 KB
Uncooked prawn sampling declaration DOC  313 KB

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

7. Contact information

For importing goods into Australia, including how to apply for an import permit, certification requirements, import conditions and queries related to BICON, please contact Imports:

Email: Imports

Phone: 1800 900 090

For enquiries related to the status of a consignment, test results, clearance and inspection of goods, re-exporting, destruction or transportation of goods, please email or phone the department in the location where the cargo is held, or contact the Client Contact Group:

Office Locations

Phone: 1800 900 090

For queries on the current review of import conditions for prawns and prawn products for human consumption:

Email: Prawn review

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

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Page last updated: 21 July 2023

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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