DAFF - Update to requirements for treatment certificates for treatments performed in China

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have been working closely with members and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) over recent months to resolve significant challenges affecting the acceptance of offshore treatment certificates from China. These issues resulted in widespread delays and uncertainty across the supply chain—particularly for importers of containerised cargo treated in China and for customs brokers lodging documentation under time pressure. The situation also creating administrative burden and disrupted the timely clearance of compliant cargo. FTA/APSA are pleased to advise that DAFF has now released Import industry advice notice 200-2025, which provides clarity to industry on acceptance rules for these certificates: What has changed? The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has updated the treatment certification requirements for goods treated in China following the approval of treatment providers based in China onto the List of treatment providers. The department now recognises treatments certificates from providers listed as 'approved' without endorsement from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), evidenced by the GACC logo. The department advises that treatment certificates for treatments performed in China are acceptable in the following instances: Treatment certificates endorsed by GACC, featuring the GACC logo The department continues to accept GACC-endorsed certificates, provided the treatment provider is listed as 'approved' on List of treatment providers or is not listed as 'unacceptable', 'under review' or 'withdrawn' on the list of Unregistered Treatment Providers, and evidenced by the GACC logo in the top left corner of the certificate. For documentation and reporting, brokers must enter the unique AEI number for the treatment provider. If a treatment provider can provide a GACC endorsed certificate but does not have a unique AEI number, CN0001MB should be entered. Treatment certificates from treatment providers listed as approved on the List of treatment providers The department now accepts certificates from China-based treatment providers listed as 'approved' on the List of treatment providers. These certificates from approved providers, do not require GACC endorsement. For documentation and reporting, brokers must enter the unique AEI number for the treatment provider. If both a GACC-endorsed certificate and a certificate from a listed provider are available for the same treatment, brokers must register both certificates under the treatment provider's unique AEI number. Where accredited persons assessing documentation under Approved Arrangement Class 19 have concerns about the authenticity or accuracy of treatment certification, the certificate should not be accepted. The import declaration must be referred to the department for assessment by a biosecurity officer. The department is working closely with GACC to ensure that treatment certificates are being updated and issued in accordance with the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology Version 3.0. The department wishes to thank GACC for its valuable assistance in implementing these changes. Further Information Please email offshoretreatments@aff.gov.au for further information. Full details of Import Industry Advice Notice 200-2025 is available HERE. Should members have any feedback or ongoing issues, please contact us at support@ftalliance.com.au.

Tom Jensen - General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA Copyright © 2025 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.