2 May 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Importers and brokers of fresh:
- USA stone fruit, including apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and interspecific hybrids (0809.10.00.05, 0809.30.00.07 and 0809.40.00.08).
- USA cherries (0809.29.00.22).
What has changed?
USA stone fruit and cherries are transitioning to a supplier based model for the 2025 season.
The department is transitioning the current importer based scheme to a suppliers based model.
We are also switching off the document outcome from counting towards the CBIS counter when the supplier is in monitoring mode.
The system changes take effect from 30 April 2025.
Biosecurity directions
Importers and brokers lodging fresh stone fruit and/or cherry consignments from the USA will notice that we have created a new direction to support these changes:
Compliance Based Intervention (existing): This direction will be applied when the goods are eligible for CBIS and have been selected for intervention, such as an inspection. The results of this direction count towards the CBIS compliance counter.
CBIS pending documentation (new): This direction will be applied when the goods have qualified for monitoring mode. The results of this direction do not count towards the CBIS counter.
Note: Lines that qualify for the CBIS may still need to meet Imported food or non-commodity requirements. All imported food must meet the food safety requirements specified under the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
What do I need to do?
Importers and brokers are encouraged to lodge supplier codes consistently in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). If supplier codes are not lodged consistently, multiple CBIS counters will operate off the supplier code resulting in a greater number of consignments being inspected.
You are strongly encouraged to provide complete and accurate documentation in COLS at the time of the initial document assessment to prevent movement and clearance delays.
Further information
Subscribe to the relevant BICON case or visit the CBIS webpage.
If you have any enquiries relating to these changes, please contact the CBIS program CBIS@aff.gov.au or imports@aff.gov.au (Tier 2- CBIS) or telephone 1800 900 090.
The department also announces changes on the CBIS webpage.