4 January 2013
This Industry Notice supersedes Notice to Industry 03/2010.
Who does this notice affect?
All importers and customs Brokers (excluding DAFF Account Clients) who import cargo into Australia that requires Biosecurity clearance from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
What has changed?
Notice to Industry 03/2010 advised that DAFF would commence enforcement of upfront payments prior to the initial assessment of a Quarantine entry. At this time Account Clients, manually created entries and Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) entries upgraded to AIMS were exempt for this requirement.
As of start of business 18 February 2013 the legislative provision for upfront payments will include manually created entries and SAC upgraded entries processed in AQIS Import Management System (AIMS). This will not include manual entries created to manage bulk consignments (e.g. High Volume Specialist Operator and Country Action List inspections).
For manually created AIMS entries it is not possible to pay fees prior to lodgement. Therefore the following fees are required to be paid after the entry has been assessed and before DAFF provide any additional service:
- lodgement fee
- document assessment fee
- initial inspection fees (if applicable).
The person or company presenting the documentation to DAFF and requesting DAFF services is the responsible party for payment of the fees.
For SAC upgraded AIMS entries it is not possible to pay fees prior to lodgement.
Therefore the following fees are required to be paid after the entry has been assessed and before DAFF provide any additional service:
- SAC upgrade lodgement fee
- document assessment fee
- initial inspection fees (if applicable).
The person or company presenting the documentation to DAFF and requesting DAFF services is the responsible party for payment of the fees.
If payment is not made in full when requested, an "Administration – Hold Pending Payment" direction will be issued advising the broker or importer of the required payment amount. No further service will be provided by DAFF until the outstanding fees have been paid in full.
Further information
Further information on Import Clearance fees and charges can be found in the Quarantine Fees and Charging Guidelines. Alternatively, please contact your local DAFF Regional Office.