Updated Documentary Requirements for Fumigation Certificates for Imported Goods

As a result of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's (DAWE) recently updated minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy, documentary requirements for fumigation certificates for imported goods are changing. This update has occurred in accordance with the assessments of biosecurity risks of goods imported into Australia and the requirements for certification related to treatments conducted in exporting countries to mitigate potential biosecurity risks prior to shipment.

Minimum Documentary and Import Declaration Requirements Policy Version 4.0 Summary

Coming into effect on the 2nd of August 2021, the revised policy enables a single statement to be suitable on all methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride certificates regardless of the treatment provider. Providers need to provide either:

• A statement confirming that the target of the fumigation conforms to the plastic wrapping, impervious surface and timber thickness requirements at the time of fumigation, as per Appendix 3 of the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology

OR

• A statement confirming that the target of the fumigation conforms to the plastic wrapping, impervious surface and timber thickness requirements at the time of fumigation, as per Appendix 2a of the Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigation Methodology

These updated statements address timber thickness and impervious coating considerations, which are not on current statements. Taking these into account ensures that effective fumigations are conducted. This new policy also simplifies the requirements between providers. removing the opportunity for conflicting statements.

Required Action and Compliance

For goods fumigated prior to export under the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) and to address the risk of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) or Khapra Beetle, no action is required. This is because providers fumigating these goods are already required to make a statement that addresses these requirements, as per Appendix 3 of the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology.

For goods that have already undergone complete fumigation and the certificate has been issued within the specified timeframe before 2nd August 2021, the existing declarations will be considered acceptable. This includes manufactured wooden articles that have a storage declaration.

For all other goods requiring fumigation prior to shipment and are exported on/after 2nd August 2021, a fumigation certificate that does not bear the new statement will be subject to inspection or treatment on arrival if amended documentation is not available. As such, importers and agents are encouraged to be informed about the new changes and convey this to their treatment providers to ensure they are also aware of the new requirements.

Templates that include the required statement and are in accordance with the new policy are available on the acceptable documentation template webpage here.

For further information, please feel free to contact the Image International team.