1 November 2010
Industry Advice Notice 2010-19
Authenticity of documentation
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to provide advice to exporters in situations where authenticity of import permits and other export related documentation is in question. AQIS has recently been presented with a number of export related documents where the authenticity of the documents has been questioned.
It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that documentation presented to AQIS in the process of gaining export certification is legitimate and has not been tampered with or altered in any way. This is particularly important in the case of import permits issued by overseas plant protection authorities which are official government documents and are relied upon by AQIS for the issuance of phytosanitary certification.
Please note that any suspect documents presented to AQIS will be forwarded to the National Plant Protection Organisation of the importing country to seek verification as to the authenticity of the documents. Consequently, delays in providing export permits and export certification may be encountered.
Grain & Seed Exports Program
Plant Exports Operations Branch Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service
Telephone: (02) 6272 3229