Biosecurity Imports Levy

In terms of collecting the $10.02 per TEU, the position from Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) remains that alternate modelling is required rather than the DAWR proposal of collecting from stevedores. It is anticipated that stevedores will look to recover this cost via the Vehicle Booking System (VBS) used by transport companies to book time slots for the collection of import containers.

If this were to occur, it is again anticipated that transport operators would look to recover this cost with an additional administrative fee to address operational costs and offset negative cash flow implications. Likewise this cost and recovery is likely to cascade down the supply chain with importers ultimately paying an inflated price with additional impost and complexity of GST payments.
 
FTA recommends that the department consider two alternate models:
 
Levy collection on the Full Import Declaration (FID)
 
The FID is already a collection point for duty, GST, Import Processing Charges and other government imposed charges. It is recommended that the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) have code reinstated to calculate containers per FID to administer the new levy. The benefit of the FID is that costs are usually passed on from customs brokers to importers at a net rate as per costs displayed on the FID.
 
Levy collection charged against shipping lines
 
Charge the shipping line against manifested and confirmed discharged containers. Unlike the above FID proposal, this would capture both full and empty container to meet the intent of the budget announcement. On a commercial basis, shipping lines would most likely pass this onto customers (freight forwarders / importers) along with existing port service charges.

Further background information is available HERE

Four Corners White Spot testing conclusions flawed

Further to the FTA / APSA commentary on the recent Four Corners episode examining alleged Biosecurity breaches, DAWR have today released a media statement that they have received information from University of the Sunshine Coast Professor, Wayne Knibb, which casts serious doubt on the basis of some claims made by the program.

Testing conducted by Professor Knibb, at the request of the ABC, appears to have included products that were not subject to the enhanced import conditions that Four Corners are reporting to have failed.

Information from Professor Knibb indicates that all plain imported raw prawns tested for the ABC tested negative for White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) ... read more

Highly Compliant Importer Project (HCIP)

DAWR have issued the following notice around HCIP http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2018/71-2018
 
FTA delegate Mr Tony Nikro asked how importers can get registered for such a project and received the following response: 
 
"No Importers cannot apply for the Highly Compliant Importer Trial.  Importers will be chosen through our reporting systems based on their 100% compliance history through repeated physical inspection over an extended period of time for particular commodities.
 
The Importers ongoing compliance will be monitored through a random referral rate through consignment verification inspections. If non-compliance is found the importer's consignments will return to the   standard rate of biosecurity referral to the department."
 
FTA / APSA will continue to monitor the situation on behalf of our members.

Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) Reform and the Impact on BICON

Improvements to Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) functionality in the Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS) were released on 23 June 2018. The release marks the implementation of phase 2 of the AEP reform project. The primary objective is to increase industry participation into the Broker Class Approved Arrangements, sharing the biosecurity responsibility in the assessment of imported goods.  The system changes are aimed at reducing complexity, providing greater flexibility, monitoring compliance more effectively and increasing the capacity to expand the number of commodities available for the AEP for commodities Approved Arrangement.
 
Changes
Changes under phase 2 include:
enhanced IT systems to simplify lodgement and increase system flexibility
Updated BICON AEPCOMM user access with additional functionality for accredited persons and a new compliance model that rewards continued compliance.
 
BICON
AEPCOMM information is now only be available to industry participants that have registered for a BICON AEPCOMM user account. AEPCOMM information has been removed from the public view of BICON. BIPs and accredited persons must sign up, or upgrade their BICON account to the AEPCOMM user access version. Help cards to assist you in gaining access are available on the Help section of BICON.
 
The AEP team can assist you in using the new arrangement. Send queries via email toAEPsupport@agriculture.gov.au or phone on 1800 900 090.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB)

Members who attended last week's forums hosted by DAWR in Sydney and Melbourne will be well aware of the operational concerns in terms of the upcoming BMSB season and treatment of the risks to further origin countries.

Further official details are anticipated to soon be released and will be shared with members.

Andrew Crawford - Head of Border and Biosecurity - FTA / APSA