27 February 2023
Who does this notice affect?
Approved arrangements operators, customs brokers, importers, manned depots, and freight forwarders wishing to book and manage requests for import inspections using the Biosecurity Portal.
Who is not affected by this notice?
Clients who require:
- Bulk bookings
- Virtual visual label inspections
- Airway bill requests
- High volume specialist operators (HVSO)
- Plant export inspections
What has changed?
On 11 February 2023 a new version of the Portal was released. One of the newly implemented changes is to make the inspection / consignment information question a mandatory field.
Inspection types will be auto populated depending on the direction and can be manually added by the user. Where an inspection type has been auto populated against a direction, the user cannot remove this entry.
Inspection type must be selected, either automatically applied by the system or selected by a user, to enable the inspection request to be lodged.
What are inspection types?
Inspection types provide information on the goods or consignment of your inspection request. Information can be found on the packing slip, the food control certificate and the direction issued by the department.
A complete list of inspection types can be found on the department’s website - Guides
What are inspection types used for?
Inspection types are used by the department to calculate the estimated duration of an inspection and to allocate the biosecurity and/or food officer with the right competency to be able to undertake the inspection.
Supplying the correct inspection types at lodgement will assist the department in booking your request for inspection in a timely manner and avoid potential delays whilst the department contacts you to confirm inspection booking details.
If this field is not populated correctly, it could lead to inspection and cargo release delays due to a departmental officer with the incorrect competencies being allocated the inspection.
Further information
The department will be running a series of webinars to assist using the Portal including the use of inspection types. To register your interest in a webinar please email the biosecurity portal support team at biosecurityportal@aff.gov.au
For more information on inspection types and the Biosecurity Portal including registration, its functions, and how to use it please see Biosecurity Portal webpage (https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/online-services…) or email biosecurityportal@aff.gov.au
For request for inspections (RFI) submitted via the Portal, please continue to direct your enquiries to the department’s Client Contact Group on 1800 900 090.