SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Western Australia's only bonded and manned Quarantine Depot, providing a drive through Tailgate Inspection Service and Biosecurity Inspections without waiting for a booking. Luckens also provide Mobile Biosecurity and Fumigation Services in metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
Please contact Jason or Sam for more information by clicking HERE

Welcome to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Report, your one-stop update on the latest operational issues and notices issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This report is designed to keep you informed and prepared to manage biosecurity compliance effectively in an ever-changing landscape.

This Week in Biosecurity

This week, DAFF announced several key updates and news highlights across the biosecurity and trade landscape, focusing on upcoming compliance deadlines, program expansions, and strengthened import controls to support Australia's safe and efficient trade framework.

The transition period for mandatory allergen labelling under the Food Standards Code ends in February 2026, with reviews of packaging and supplier data recommended ahead of enforcement. The Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) has been extended to include blood grouping test kits (tariff 3822.13), offering streamlined clearance for compliant importers.

Updates to Class 14.4 rural tailgate arrangements will soon take effect, adding new conditions for containers requiring mandatory treatment prior to inspection. DAFF will also host live information sessions on 19 November 2025 to guide custom brokers, importers, and processors through the reformed Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024. Spain has been removed from Australia's LSD-free list following detection of Lumpy Skin Disease, triggering stricter controls on bovine-derived imports.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.

Summary

Mandatory Allergen Labelling Requirements

The Department has reminded food importers of the updated allergen labelling standards under the Food Standards Code, designed to make allergen information clearer and more consistent for consumers. Allergens must be declared both within the ingredient list and in a "Contains" summary statement displayed beside it, using bold font at least equal in size to the main label text.

The requirements apply to food manufactured after 25 February 2024, with the two-year transition period ending on 25 February 2026. As we are now only a few months away from the end of this transition period, importers are encouraged to review labels and supplier specifications to ensure full compliance and avoid potential relabelling or clearance issues.

Allergens covered include: wheat, gluten, fish, crustacean, mollusc, egg, milk, soy, sesame, lupin, tree nuts, and sulphites (=10 mg/kg).

Importers are encouraged to review supplier documentation and product labels to confirm compliance and avoid delays or relabelling once the transition period ends. Read more HERE.

Expansion of CBIS Eligibility for Test Kits

DAFF has announced an extension of the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) to include an additional tariff code — 3822.13 (blood grouping test kits not testing for disease agents).

The CBIS, which tailors document-assessment rates based on importer compliance history, was last expanded in May 2025 (IIAN 125-2025) to cover test kits under 3002.12, 3002.15, and 3822.19. From 31 October 2025, this framework will also apply to goods entered under 3822.13, further broadening eligibility across diagnostic and analytical import pathways.

Key points:

Importers must continue to hold a valid import permit and meet all import conditions.
The community protection profile question in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) will be updated to include tariff code 3822.13.
Brokers must respond "Y" to confirm the goods meet CBIS criteria (i.e. test kits not testing for disease agents, imported with a valid permit).
DAFF may adjust intervention rates if biosecurity risk levels change, ensuring consistency with Australia's Appropriate Level of Protection (ALOP).

This expansion reflects DAFF's continued commitment to streamlining low-risk import pathways while maintaining strong biosecurity safeguards. Read more HERE.

Class 14.4 Rural Tailgate: Upcoming Condition Changes

Class 14.4 Approved Arrangement conditions have been updated, now formally extending the class to cover containers requiring mandatory treatment prior to rural tailgate inspection. The revision also updates existing conditions, introduces new supporting clauses, and refreshes Appendix A (flowchart) to reflect the expanded scope.

Implementation timeline:

Late October: DAFF to issue a Notice of Intention to Vary under s.413 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 for all AAs that include Class 14.4.
~14 days later: Notice of Variation to take effect.
Version 4 becomes the operative standard once the variation is applied.

What industry should do:

Review Version 4 Class 14.4 conditions and the updated Appendix A flowchart.
Ensure internal SOPs and depot instructions address containers requiring pre-treatment.
Prepare staff for the automatic variation process and communicate operational adjustments to rural inspection sites.

These updates mark another step in DAFF's broader move toward clarifying and standardising rural inspection frameworks. By aligning Class 14.4 conditions with current operational practices, the department aims to improve consistency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of treated containers at rural unpack locations. Read more HERE.

Illegal Logging Reforms — Live Information Sessions

The Department will host two live sessions outlining the implementation of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024, including practical compliance examples and a Q&A segment. The webinars are designed to help importers, processors, and brokers strengthen due diligence systems and understand current enforcement priorities.

Session Details:

• Navigating Australia's Illegal Logging Laws – For Customs Brokers
Date: 19 November 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (AEDT)
Webinar Link: Navigating Australia's illegal logging laws - For Customs Brokers

• Navigating Australia's Illegal Logging Laws – For Importers and Processors
Date: 19 November 2025
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
Join via the link provided below.
Webinar Link: Navigating Australia's illegal logging laws - For Importers and Processors

These sessions will provide an overview of the legislative framework, share key insights, and answer your questions to support ongoing compliance. Read more HERE.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) — Trade Update: Spain

Following the detection of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in a cattle herd in Catalonia, Spain, DAFF has withdrawn Spain's LSD-free status and removed it from the approved country list for bovine fluids and tissues, effective 6 August 2025.

Impacted goods:

Laboratory items containing bovine fluids or tissues from Spain
Veterinary therapeutics derived from bovine material
Bovine reproductive material sourced from Spain

DAFF will contact import permit holders to outline new arrangements. Goods already in transit will be assessed case-by-case, with release dependent on biosecurity risk outcomes. Importers experiencing clearance delays should contact imports@aff.gov.au for assistance.

Australia's withdrawal of Spain's LSD-free status strengthens biosecurity controls for bovine-derived imports. Importers are encouraged to review sourcing and permit conditions to ensure continued compliance with updated eligibility requirements. Read more HERE.

Cargo Operations Snapshot

Note: It is recommended that members note the Data Definitions on page 3 when viewing the following report provided by DAFF.

20 October 2025 Report LOGIN REQUIRED

2025-2026 FTA Online CPD & CBC Training Packages

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. GST) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. GST) per customs broker licensing period. Please email Caroline at CZalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC)

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) brings together DAFF and industry representatives to address biosecurity issues impacting trade and logistics with the purpose to ensure effective biosecurity regulation without unnecessary trade barriers. FTA proudly represents the freight and trade sector on this vital committee.

The DCCC meets a minimum of three times per year with out-of-session meetings scheduled as necessary. In 2025, three meetings are scheduled for 3 April, 31 July and 27 November.

Following are the latest DCCC Meeting minutes, communiques and papers:

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):

AFAS is a bilateral arrangement between DAFF and participating overseas government agencies. AFAS manages the high biosecurity risk posed by ineffective treatments performed offshore.

Treatment providers registered and listed as approved is available on the List of treatment providers.

- Recent Reviews and/or Suspensions:

17 October 2025 : DAFF - IIAN 350-2025: List of treatment providers update: treatment provider suspended – PT Waringin Internusa Jasa Pratama Surabaya (AEI: ID0020MB)
15 October 2025 : DAFF - IIAN 344-2025: List of treatment providers update: treatment provider suspended – PT Sucofindo (AEI: ID0009MB)

Notices:

- Exports:
17 October 2025 : DAFF - EAN 2025/16: TRACE is offline – business continuity arrangements
17 October 2025 : DAFF - Export systems scheduled outages

To receive real-time automated notices direct from DAFF, please register HERE.

Reminder - Stay Updated on Import & Export Conditions:
> Import Conditions via BICON:

Members are encouraged to reference BICON, Australia's biosecurity import conditions database, for any specific commodity concerns or changes related to Import Industry Advice Notices.
BICON provides up-to-date Australian biosecurity import conditions to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions.

> Export Conditions via Micor:

Members are encouraged to regularly consult Micor (Manual of Importing Country Requirements) for the latest export requirements, certification details, and market access conditions for specific commodities.

Micor is DAFF's central resource for ensuring compliance with overseas import regulations—helping exporters stay informed, avoid delays, and maintain access to key markets.

Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG)

On 1 July 2020, Freight & Trade Alliance established the Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) designed to provide a One Voice platform for treatment providers to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to deliver nationally consistent advocacy position(s) to government to lead reform and implement best practice. You can read our terms of reference HERE.
If you would like more information, please contact John Park. The value of the group has been acknowledged by DAFF as can be seen HERE.

As always, we encourage members to share their feedback and insights to help us identify issues and advocate for improvements on your behalf.

FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 41 211025 - sponsored by Luckens Fumigation Services