2 April 2024
Who does this notice affect?
All importers and customs brokers who currently lodge imported cargo documentation and wish to request an assessment outside of business hours.
Background
We continue to undertake all our regulatory activities as efficiently as possible, including actively using overtime arrangements to facilitate clearances where it is industry requested, and the overtime fees and charges are accepted and can be appropriately recovered.
The department’s business hours are 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Documents may be assessed outside business hours subject to acceptance of cost and officer availability. Please note where officer availability is limited, perishable and some emergency services goods will be prioritised first.
What has changed?
From 8 April 2024, the department will implement a new process for Biosecurity Industry Participants to request document assessment outside business hours. The new process will further enhance the department's ability to efficiently receipt, collate, and respond to requests for document assessment outside business hours.
From 8 April 2024, all requests for document assessment outside of business hours are to be submitted using a new form, to a new email address- OTAssessmentRequests.automation@aff.gov.au. This email channel is used only for requests for document assessment outside business hours. Any other correspondence to this email channel will not be actioned.
From 8 April 2024, submissions to the previous email address will be auto forwarded to the new address for a period of up to two weeks. Importers and brokers using the old email address and/or old form will be contacted and assisted to lodge via the new process.
What do you need to do?
The new form can be accessed via the following webpages:
- Lodgement of import documentation via the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS)
- Lodgement of import documentation via email
To guarantee consideration, your request must be received before 11:00 am on the business day prior to the day you are requesting the documents to be assessed. Late submissions may not be accommodated.
Submission of import documentation for these requests continues to be via COLS.
Further information
For further information please contact the department on 1800 900 090 or General inquiries.