Non-prescribed goods are not regulated by Australian export laws. Exporters must meet the requirements of the importing country.
New exporters — read our step-by-step guide to exporting non-prescribed goods.
Types of goods
You need to understand how your product is defined by law, as export requirements differ.
Prescribed goods
Prescribed goods are regulated by us.
Check if you are exporting a prescribed good:
- dairy products
- eggs and egg products
- fish and fish products
- live animals
- meat and meat products
- plants and plant products
Organic or biodynamic goods are always prescribed. To export goods as organic or biodynamic, you must also meet specific requirements for export.
Non-prescribed goods
Examples of non-prescribed goods include:
- animal by-products
- cosmetics
- blood and blood products
- dried pet food
- nutritional supplements
- processed foods
- rendered fats and oils
- rendered meats
- skins and hides
- wool.
Confirming that your goods are non-prescribed can be complex. Read our advice about determining a non-prescribed good.
Importing country requirements
You must meet all requirements set by your importing country.
Before you export:
- check our Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) — some non-prescribed goods are in the Meat, Fish and Dairy sections
- talk to your importer and importing country authority.
Export quotas
Some of our trade agreements include reduced tariff rates for certain products. We manage these through export quotas.
You may be eligible if you export to Japan.
Check if export quotas apply to your goods.
Export listed establishments
Some importing countries require producers of non-prescribed goods to be export listed. Goods include:
- bee products
- blood and blood products
- edible fats and oils
- health foods
- leather products
- pet food products
- rendered animal products
- skin or hide products.
Your importing country may also require proof that you have only used export listed establishments at each point in the supply chain.
Check Micor for your requirements.
You can apply to be export listed, if you produce your own non-prescribed goods for export. To apply to be export listed you may be required to:
- have a documented system to manage public and animal health during production
- be assessed by one of our officers or a third party auditor
- be audited on site, in some cases.
Documents and certificates
Your importing country may require government-issued export documents and/or certificates.
Letter of free sale
Your importing country may require registration of goods prior to export.
You can use a letter of free sale to prove your goods are available for sale in Australia.
Authentication of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Some importing countries, including China, require authentication (or confirmation) that Australian goods have been manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
The department issues Authentication of Good Manufacturing Practice certificates to exporters of cosmetics, after verifying appropriate documentation.
You may request an Authentication of Good Manufacturing Practice certificate from the department if you can provide a certificate from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (showing the manufacturer is licensed to produce the goods at the Australian manufacturing site) or an accredited third party certifying that the manufacturing premises complies with ISO 22716:2007 Good Manufacturing Practice—Cosmetics.
Transfer certificates
Some importing countries require traceability of goods at each point in the supply chain.
You can use a transfer certificate to prove your goods were only sent between export listed establishments. This does not apply if you are sending products straight to a wharf or airport.
Government certificates
If your importing country requires export documents and/or certificates, we can issue them.
To request export documents:
- use our Export Documentation System (EXDOC), for certain inedible meats, wool, feathers, trophies, skins and hides
- use our Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC) for certain honey markets
- submit a manual application form.
You may be required to provide (in English):
- clear evidence that your goods meet all import conditions and official requirements
- any specific declarations or endorsements that must be included on the certificate (such as manufacturers’ declarations, laboratory reports and treatment records).