On 21 December 2017, a variety of updates occurred to the Biosecurity Goods Determinations which specify whether import permits, or alternative conditions for import, must be met to bring particular goods into Australia and its territories.
DAWR will add import conditions to some goods and remove them from others. For example, natural casings for human consumption will no longer require an import permit if the goods comply with alternative conditions listed in the determination.
The Biosecurity Goods Determinations refer to a number of lists published on DAWR website. Some of those lists will be updated to reflect changing import conditions, and to make them easier to understand. There will also be a number of new lists added to complement new alternative conditions.
The majority of the changes apply from 21 December 2017 with the exception of alternative conditions for fresh cut flowers and foliage. These new conditions will not commence until 1 March 2018 to allow DAWR time to work with industry on transitioning to new requirements.
Deciding what goods and conveyances should be allowed into Australia is a constant challenge for the DAWR. Factors such as pest or disease outbreaks and changes to the way goods are manufactured, packaged and transported, mean that what was safe today may not be tomorrow.
The alternative conditions in the Goods Determinations are an important step in reducing the regulatory and financial burden for importers, while appropriately managing biosecurity risk and maintaining Australia’s Appropriate Level of Protection.
Importers can access the determinations and supporting import condition lists at DAWR’s website. Source reference: DAWR Notice 120-2017.
