Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy - Conflicting information on import documents

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) wish to advise that the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) has recently issued Import Industry Advice Notice 38-2022 in relation to Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy - Conflicting information on import documents.
 

What has changed?

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

In the lead up to implementation the department communicated version changes through Import Industry Advice Notices (IIAN), a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet and a Review Outcomes - Table of Changes document.

The department has recently seen an increase in enquiries relating to policy section 1.10 - Conflicting information on documents, specifically in relation to packing declarations. 

As an example, the department has received packing declarations declaring that timber/bamboo packaging has not been used in a consignment however the same packing declaration also declares that timber/bamboo packaging used in the consignment has not been treated.  This information is conflicting, and it cannot be determined from the document if timber packaging has been used in the consignment. 

Under version 4.0 of the policy, all documents relied on to address biosecurity risk must meet the overarching documentation requirements and where information on a document conflicts with other information on the same document, the document will not be acceptable.

Ensure your clients and supply chain are aware of all the department's documentary requirements under the policy.

To assist clients in meeting the requirements outlined in the Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy and the Non-commodity information requirements policy, the department continues to provide documentary templates, including packing declarations, which can be downloaded from the department website and adapted to meet individual company or consignment requirements.

Annual packing declarations issued prior to 2 August under Policy v3.0 will continue to be valid until those annual packing declarations expire.

Further information 

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