Reminder: Plastic wrapping, impervious surfaces, and timber thickness fumigation certification requirements

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) wish to advise that the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) has issued Industry Advice Notice 188-2021 providing some clarification of the requirements of Plastic wrapping, impervious surfaces, and timber thickness fumigation certification.

Since the issuance of Industry Advice Notices 152-2021 and 162-2021, a number of members have raised anomalies with FTA and as always we thank members for doing so 
These were shared with the department who have been proactive in providing bespoke advice in addition to the issuance of this notice.

What has changed?

On 2 August 2021, the department implemented revised requirements under the Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy, Version 4.0 (the policy).

Documentation issued for goods exported to Australia on or after this date must meet the revised policy requirements.  Version 4.0 supersedes Version 3.0 of the policy.

Further to Import Industry Advice Notices 152-2021 and 162-2021, the department is committed to providing ongoing clarification around revised policy requirements relating to plastic wrapping, impervious surfaces and timber thickness fumigation requirements and the need for that requirement to be included on fumigation certificates.  

Plastic wrapping, impervious surfaces, and timber thickness fumigation requirements

For goods that were fumigated and exported to Australia prior to 2 August 2021:

The plastic wrapping statement requirements under section 4.7.6, Version 3.0 of the policy, will be acceptable on fumigation certificates.

Some import conditions allow goods to be exported up to 6 months following treatment.

Where this is the case, fumigation certificates issued before 2 August 2021 will continue to be accepted provided the fumigation treatment certification meets the requirements under Version 3.0 of the policy.
 
For goods that undergo fumigation treatment on or after 2 August 2021:

The revised requirements under section 4.6.6, Version 4.0 of the policy regarding plastic wrapping, impervious surface and timber thickness must be present on all methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride certificates regardless of the treatment provider.

The revised requirement for methyl bromide fumigation certificates is:

A statement confirming that the target of the fumigation conforms to the plastic wrapping, impervious surface, and timber thickness requirements at the time of fumigation, as per Appendix 3 of the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology.

Note: The department will accept the following statement, 'The target of the fumigation conforms to the plastic wrapping, impervious surface, and timber thickness requirements at the time of fumigation'.

The revised requirement for sulfuryl fluoride fumigation certificates is:

A statement confirming that the target of the fumigation conforms to the plastic wrapping, impervious surface, and timber thickness requirements at the time of fumigation, as per Appendix 2a of the Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigation Methodology.

Note: The department will accept the following statement, 'The target of the fumigation conforms to the plastic wrapping, impervious surface and timber thickness requirements at the time of fumigation'.

Further information 

To assist clients in meeting the revised requirements of the policy, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet was published on the department's website. 

The FAQ sheet contains a timeline that outlines which version of the policy must be followed when lodging an import declaration with the department.

For further information regarding the revised Minimum documentary and import declarations requirements policy, please visit the department's website or email entrymanagement@awe.gov.au.