We work with overseas governments to implement eCert exchanges for imports. This includes phytosanitary and sanitary certificates for food and agricultural exports.
Our goal is for import certification to be completely paperless. You can find out more about the benefits of eCerts and how we develop new exchanges with trading partners.
You can also find out about eCert for exports from Australia.
If an eCert exchange has not been established, paper certification continues to be required.
Our eCert for import system
We have an eCert import application that allows us to receive electronic certificates (eCerts) directly from exporting government agencies.
Importers and brokers must provide eCert details for relevant import declarations. We’ll assess the eCert via the Agricultural Import Management System (AIMS) entry, or the eCert import application.
Importers and brokers will be provided with relevant eCert numbers from exporters, along with other trade documentation.
If you’ve provided your eCert information into the import declaration correctly, you do not need to submit a paper certificate. The eCert will be used for import clearance purposes.
Parallel eCert exchange
In a parallel exchange the eCert and paper certificate are issued together. The eCert is used for clearance, but the paper certificate can be used if there are issues accessing the eCert.
Paperless eCert exchange
In a paperless exchange the eCert alone is used for import clearance.
How to lodge an eCert for import clearance
eCerts may be required to support import clearance into Australia through a number of pathways. The process to provide eCert information may vary, please refer to the information below and the eCert import exchange table.
This applies to FID/SCL entries lodged through the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) or third party software. FID and SCL lodgements are assessed by the department in AIMS.
When lodging FID/SCL import declarations for goods that require an eCert, importers and brokers need to accurately enter government certificate details in third party software or the ICS in accordance with the Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy.
Information must be entered in both:
- AQIS Document Type —drop down field used to select the relevant country and certificate type.
- AQIS Document Number — free-text field used to record the government certificate number. This must be entered in the correct format for each country and/or certificate type.
For example, for a NZ phytosanitary certificate:
AQIS Document type: NZPHYTO and AQIS Document number: NZL2023/ABCD/12345.
Software providers should be contacted if there are any issues using or locating these fields.
When both fields have been entered correctly, the details are cross-checked and matched in AIMS. Departmental officers will be able to access and assess these entries in AIMS.
Using Cargo Interactive for FID/SCL lodgements
Importers and brokers can use Cargo Interactive to lodge import declarations with government certificates. Cargo Interactive does not allow symbols (including “/#”) in free-text fields. Importers and brokers will still select the applicable AQIS Document Type. However, must add a space where a symbol is used for the AQIS Document Number.
This table shows how to enter certificate details in Cargo Interactive:
| Lodgement Type | AQIS Document Type | AQIS Document Number field |
|---|---|---|
| Third party software | NZPHYTO | NZL2023/ABCD/12345 |
| Cargo Interactive | NZPHYTO | NZL2023 ABCD 12345 |
AEPCOMM accredited persons may also process entries which require government certificates. Refer to Approved commodities and related information for the class 19.2 AEPCOMM approved arrangement for more information.
As per condition 19 and condition 26 of the Requirements and conditions for approved arrangement class 19.2: AEPCOMM document, the accredited person must:
- enter the government certificate type (in the AQIS document type field) and certificate number (in the AQIS document number field) in the ICS or third party software (see FID and SCL lodgements), and
- retain documentary evidence where required for import clearance.
A non-compliance advice notice may be issued in accordance with the Compliance classifications for class 19 approved arrangements if the eCert is not entered, or documentary evidence is not retained/provided.
This applies to SAC and CRS entries lodged through the ICS or third party software. SAC and CRS entries are received by the department in the Import Management System (IMS).
The AQIS Document Type and AQIS Document number fields are not available for SAC and CRS entries. The process for providing eCert details will be as follows:
- The certificate number must be provided with other import documentation.
- The department will then manually search for the eCert in the eCert import application.
Goods imported to Australia’s external territories may also require government certification. This includes Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
As imports to external territories are not lodged through the ICS, the process for providing eCert details will be as follows:
- The certificate number must be provided with other import documentation.
- The department will then manually search for the eCert in the eCert Import application.
Plant products requiring phytosanitary certification may also be directed to PEQ for isolation (e.g. nursery stock, tissue cultures).
The following process applies for goods directed to PEQ:
- Follow the relevant lodgement processes as listed above for FID and SCL lodgements, and SAC and CRS entries.
- An original paper certificate is not required to be attached to the goods, as the department will assess the eCert for import clearance.
Goods directed for inspection may also require phytosanitary or sanitary certification (e.g. fresh produce, seafood).
The following process applies for goods directed for inspection:
- Follow the relevant lodgement processes as listed above for FID and SCL lodgements, and SAC and CRS entries.
- An original paper certificate is not required to be attached to the goods, as the department will assess the eCert for import clearance.
eCert import trading partners
eCert import exchange table
This table shows trading partners and certificate types we’ve established an eCert import exchange with. A Help Card is also available for New Zealand, including certificate examples and additional clearance information.
| Trading partner | Government certificate type | AQIS Document Type | AQIS Document Number format | Status of exchange |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand |
Phytosanitary | NZPHYTO | NZL2023/ABCD/123456 | Paperless |
| Sanitary | NZSANITARY | NZL2023/ABCD/987654 | Paperless |
It is important that the AQIS Document Number is entered correctly. Each letter, number and character of the eCert number must align with the certificate number format as specified above. Note that some letters and numbers can look similar (e.g. letter O/o and number 0, and letter i/I, letter l/L and number 1).
Help Cards
Help Card: New Zealand (PDF 1.01 MB)
Help Card: New Zealand (DOCX 1.03 MB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.