The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has issued Industry Advice Notice no. 12-2020: “Suspension of uncertified Sea freight container inspection stands and interim inspection arrangements.â€
Shippers, vessel agents, importers and brokers are encouraged to check that stevedores, wharves and Biosecurity industry participants have a current certified sea freight container inspection stand prior to booking discharge of CAL containers, or container inspection requests to avoid possible delays and associated costs.
From 01 February 2020, DoA has suspended performing external Country Action List (CAL) or Rural Tailgate inspections on any uncertified inspection stand located at either an Approved Arrangement or First Point of Entry. This is due to the high number of engineers yet to engage with Engineers Australia to complete the new requirement, prior to the stated November 2019 deadline. Any new inspection stands, or stand that is still pending assessment, will continue not to be accepted for use by DoA, unless the certifying engineer has had their assessment completed by Engineers Australia and documentation provided to them.
To assess the biosecurity risk associated with Rural Tailgate and re-inspection of cleaned containers, sites without a certified container inspection stand may use skeletal trailers for the initial presentation for the external component of rural tailgate inspections and also for containers that have been cleaned/ treated for re-inspection by biosecurity officers. Â
To assess the biosecurity risk associated with CAL containers arriving at a First Point of Entry (FPoE) without a certified container inspection stand, containers may be presented on a skeletal trailer for inspection and re inspection post cleaning. Initial inspection of CAL containers off wharf will not be permitted.
Sites must beware of any increased Work Health and Safety obligations when undertaking these activities, including ensuring updated traffic management plan is in place.
For further information, contact us here at Colless Young. As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we offer you correct, professional advice on all your import and exports, including information on shipping containers and Biosecurity regulations. We handle cargo through all major Australian ports.
