Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) Reform
Automatic entry processing for commodities and Brown marmorated stink bug measures
2020-21 seasonal measures for BMSB
From Monday 26 October, AEPCOMM accredited persons will have the option to direct goods subject to BMSB seasonal measures for onshore sulfuryl fluoride treatment using the new AEP code: BMSBSF. The BMSB hitchhiker pests BICON case has also been updated to reflect the new treatment option available under the class 19.2 approved arrangement.
Managing BMSB risk through AEPCOMM
AEPCOMM accredited persons are required to determine standard biosecurity concerns as well as BMSB measures if applicable. This is achieved by first referring to the standard commodity BICON case followed by the BMSB hitchhiker pests’ case.
A BMSB video tutorial is now available to assist accredited persons with the assessment and clearance process under AEPCOMM. For a more detailed procedure (and case studies) refer to the Using AEPCOMM during the BMSB season task card.
To avoid delays with AEPCOMM lodgements, accredited persons should nominate an AA site ID in the AQIS Premises ID field of the ICS even when a release from biosecurity control is the expected outcome (i.e. BMSBREL code is applied). This allows more consignments subject to BMSB measures to process successfully through AEPCOMM and reduce the number of AEP processing errors by allowing the AEPCOMM settings to automatically issue random verification inspection directions e.g. post onshore/offshore treatment verification. A reminder has been included on the onshore outcomes page of BICON for the relevant commodity pathways in the BMSB hitchhiker pests’ case.
The following information provides you with a high level summary of available pathways and scenarios for the management of BMSB risk for commodities under AEPCOMM.
Table 1. High level summary of available BMSB pathways under AEPCOMM
| Cargo type | Pathway |
|---|---|
| FCL/FCX (Scenarios 1 and 2) |
|
| Break bulk (Scenario 2) |
|
| LCL (Scenario 3) |
|
Scenario 1. Goods that require BMSB treatment or inspection on arrival
If goods subject to BMSB seasonal measures have not been treated prior to arrival in Australia, you need to assess the goods under the ‘All requirements not met’ pathway in the BMSB hitchhiker pests BICON case. Depending on the type of goods, you can use AEPCOMM to direct for treatment or inspection:
1) Goods not treated offshore for BMSB; 2) AEPCOMM being used; 3) Relevant AEPCOMM group and pathway; 4) View outcomes
Scenario 2. Goods that have been treated for BMSB offshore by a registered and approved offshore treatment provider
If goods subject to BMSB seasonal measures have been treated prior to arrival in Australia, you need to assess the goods under the ‘All requirements met’ pathway in the BMSB hitchhiker pests BICON case. Further intervention from the department may not be required if there are no biosecurity concerns.
1) Goods treated offshore for BMSB at an acceptable rate by an approved provider; 2) AEPCOMM being used; 3) Relevant AEPCOMM group and pathway; 4) View outcomes
Scenario 3. Clearance of LCL consignments subject to biosecurity
Changes to the FAK/LCL process ensure that all BMSB risk is managed at the container level, this means you can use AEPCOMM for the clearance of in-scope LCL consignments to address standard biosecurity risk only. Further information on this process can be found on the Management of LCL/FAK containers webpage.
Approved commodities and related information for class 19.2 AEPCOMM approved arrangement
Recent changes
A new webpage for the Approved commodities and related information for the 19.2 AEPCOMM approved arrangement has been developed. The new web page presents the in scope AEPCOMM commodities and tariff information in a more user-friendly and intuitive way, providing greater support to the accredited person.
Permitted plant fibres
From December 2020, permitted plant fibre products will be available for processing via AEPCOMM. A BICON alert notice has now been published which details changes to acceptable commercial processing methods for permitted plant fibre articles. An industry advice notice will be published approximately two weeks before the December go-live date, to allow accredited persons to become familiar with the import conditions. The AEPCOMM elements will be made available in the Permitted plant fibres BICON case once changes to the import conditions come into effect.
Continued biosecurity competency for the automatic entry processing for commodities expansion
The CBC activity 20-21/01 has now closed and no further activities are scheduled at this time. Further information on training and accreditation requirements (including CBC) for AEPCOMM can be found on the department website.
Industry support
We encourage businesses to make the most of their broker approved arrangements while assisting them in complying with requirements. If you need support with the AEP process send your queries via email to AEPSupport@awe.gov.au.
If you are an accredited person under AEPCOMM you must use your BICON AEPCOMM user access when determining if a commodity and pathway are in scope of the arrangement. This BICON function was developed to enable you to determine the appropriate biosecurity outcome and AEPCOMM code to enter in the system for a particular import pathway.
The below task cards and video tutorials on the CBC activities web page have been developed to assist with the lodgment process for AEP.
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If you have difficulty accessing these files, please visit web accessibility.
If you would like more information or have any questions about AEPCOMM please email the AEP support team.