Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Industry advice notices
  5. Import industry advice notices 2020
  6. 88-2020

Sidebar first - Import

  • Industry advice notices
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021

88-2020 - Recurring issues in the importation of biological products

18 June 2020

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is of interest to importers of biological products and associated industry participants

What has changed?

The department has noticed some recurring issues in the importation of biological products. The following information will assist importers to address those issues and minimise delays in the border clearance process.

Biological products include:

  • food
  • medicines
  • vaccines
  • diagnostic kits
  • laboratory materials
  • human & animal fluids and tissues
  • environmental samples (inc. soil and water)

Biosecurity import permit

Most biological products require a biosecurity import permit from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE).

You must have a valid import permit before your goods arrive in Australia. If a permit is required and your products arrive without one, you will likely be directed to export or destroy them. If all permit conditions, including documentary requirements, are not met when your goods arrive in Australia, you may be directed to export or destroy them, or there could be significant delays.

Find out more about import conditions on the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions database (BICON).  

Help for new importers

The import process can seem difficult, particularly for new importers. This can be complicated by factors such as urgency of importation and special handling and storage requirements for biological products. 

If you are unfamiliar with Australia’s import processes, the department recommends that you use a customs broker or courier who is experienced with your type of products, to help you navigate the transport and documentary requirements for your consignments.

Find out more about how to import goods to Australia. 

Other requirements

You should also check if other regulatory requirements must be met before you import to Australia.

Examples include:

  • DAWE: Imported food inspection scheme
  • Australian Border Force: How to import 
  • DAWE: International wildlife trade 
  • Office of the Gene Technology Regulator: Importation Requirements
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration: Importing therapeutic goods
  • National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme: Getting started
  • Department of Health: Bringing in or exporting human remains 
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority: Importing agricultural or veterinary chemicals

Further information

If you require further information, please call 1800 900 090 or email Imports.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 18 June 2020

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.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram