Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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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's biosecurity developments were dominated by the release of DAFF's final Khapra Beetle Pest Risk Analysis for plant product pathways, alongside new import controls for seeds, nursery stock and fresh produce, and continued reforms aimed at strengthening Australia's biosecurity assurance framework. The release of the final Khapra Beetle Pest Risk Analysis marks a significant milestone for Australia's management of one of the world's most destructive stored product pests. The report confirms that the current emergency measures applying to plant product imports will largely transition into ongoing biosecurity requirements. Proposed measures include strengthened phytosanitary certification requirements, additional controls for research imports, and expanded oversight of offshore treatment providers. While implementation arrangements are still being finalised, existing emergency measures remain in place pending publication of revised BICON conditions. Importers were also impacted by several important BICON updates. New documentation requirements for restricted seed for sowing imports now require verification of the scientific name of imported seed, while selected high risk nursery stock genera have become subject to additional Xylella sp. testing requirements. Fresh citrus imports from Egypt now require an import permit, and DAFF expanded the list of nursery stock species prohibited pending further biosecurity assessment. Further changes focused on improving regulatory clarity through taxonomic reviews, including updates to Cyclamen maritimum, Caladium heterophyllum, Colocasia heterophylla and Xanthosoma roseum. While these changes largely did not alter import conditions, they help streamline species classification and import pathway management. Outside BICON, DAFF suspended imports of fresh whole pomelo fruit from Vietnam and introduced a new Approved Arrangement Class 19.2 code for onshore ethyl formate treatments. The department also placed M/s Ambey Pest Control under review, reinforcing the importance of verifying that treatment certificates are issued by currently approved providers. Export stakeholders received further updates on the proposed Non-Prescribed Goods Export Reform, with DAFF increasing engagement ahead of formal consultation later this year. The reform is expected to support a new general products export framework from 2027 with a greater focus on traceability, integrity and market access assurances. Industry participants were also reminded to factor system availability into operational planning following a scheduled outage affecting multiple DAFF systems during the week. Overall, this week's updates reflected DAFF's continued focus on strengthening plant biosecurity through enhanced import controls, treatment oversight and risk-based regulatory reforms, while progressing longer-term export framework changes designed to support trade and market access. We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary
Import Updates This week's import notices focused on tightening biosecurity controls, treatment provider oversight, and import pathway management. DAFF announced the suspension of fresh whole pomelo imports from Vietnam, reflecting a precautionary response to identified biosecurity concerns. Operationally, a new Approved Arrangement Class 19.2 code has been introduced to support onshore ethyl formate treatment activities, providing an additional pathway for approved biosecurity treatments. DAFF also updated its treatment provider list, placing M/s Ambey Pest Control (AEI:IN1125MB) under review, highlighting the department's ongoing monitoring of offshore treatment providers to ensure compliance with Australia's import biosecurity requirements.
Export Updates The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is increasing stakeholder engagement ahead of the next public consultation period for the Non-Prescribed Goods (NPG) Export Reform, anticipated in October-November. DAFF has launched a dedicated newsletter to provide regular updates on the reform, explain how the proposed regulatory framework will operate, and outline requirements for exporters. The newsletter will also promote opportunities for industry participation, including webinars, workshops and consultation activities through the Have your Say process. The first edition is scheduled for release in September, with ongoing updates expected once or twice monthly through to 2027. Stakeholders are encouraged to subscribe to stay informed about developments and upcoming consultation opportunities. key points:
System Notifications - Planned Outages DAFF issued one system notification this week advising of a scheduled outage affecting multiple departmental systems between Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September 2026. The planned maintenance was expected to impact access to key platforms and services used by industry and supply chain participants. Industry stakeholders should continue to monitor DAFF notices and plan lodgements, permit applications, inspections, and cargo processing activities around scheduled maintenance windows to minimise potential disruptions to import and biosecurity related operations.
BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates This week's BICON updates were dominated by the release of the final khapra Beetle Pest Risk Analysis for plant product pathways, alongside a series of taxonomic and nursery stock amendments affecting plant import pathways and species classifications. A major case alert saw DAFF release the Final khapra Beetle Pest Risk Analysis (Part 1 - Plant Product Pathways), confirming that the current emergency khapra beetle measures for plant products will largely become ongoing biosecurity requirements. The report recommends retaining all existing emergency measures, strengthening phytosanitary certification requirements, introducing new controls for research imports, and expanding oversight of offshore treatment providers. Current emergency measures will remain in place until updated BICON conditions are published. Several operational changes were also introduced. A new documentation requirement for restricted seed-for-sowing imports now requires importers to provide evidence verifying the scientific (botanical) name of imported seed. The change is intended to improve species identification and reduce clearance delays. DAFF also expanded the "Nursery stock species requiring an import condition review" case, adding a range of species whose import conditions have been suspended pending further risk assessment. All species listed in the updated case are currently prohibited from import until new biosecurity assessments are completed. Fresh citrus imports from Egypt are now subject to a new import permit requirement, requiring importers to obtain a valid permit before the goods arrive in Australia. Additional taxonomy updates clarified import arrangements for Caladium heterophyllum, Colocasia heterophylla, and Xanthosoma roseum, all of which were confirmed as synonyms of already listed species. Existing import conditions remain unchanged, and no additional biosecurity measures have been introduced. Several plant-related case changes were also implemented following taxonomic reviews. Cyclamen maritimum was added to existing import pathways for seed, bulbs and nursery stock after being recognised as a distinct species, with no changes to import conditions. Existing permit holders will require a permit variation to import the species. Overall, this week's updates focused on strengthening Australia's plant biosecurity framework through the transition of khapra beetle emergency measures into long term controls, while improving regulatory clarity through taxonomic reviews and nursery stock pathway updates.
Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) - Suspension Update DAFF has issued two important biosecurity treatment updates this week. Under IIAN 154-2026, a new Approved Arrangement Class 19.2 code has been introduced for onshore ethyl formate treatments, providing an additional approved pathway for the treatment of certain imported goods. In a separate update (IIAN 153-2026), DAFF has advised that M/s.Ambey Pest Control (AEI:IN1125MB) has been placed under review and this status has been reflected in the List of Treatment Providers. Members are encouraged to verify that all offshore and onshore treatments are undertaken by currently approved providers and to monitor DAFF communications for any changes to provide status, as treatment certificates issued by providers subject to review, suspension, or delisting may affect the assessment and clearance of consignments.
Cargo Operations Snapshot
Note: It is recommended that members note the Data Definitions on page 3 when viewing the following report provided by DAFF. 14 September 2026 Report LOGIN HERE
2026-2027 FTA Online CPD Training Packages
FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and 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 training for the cost of only $300 (excl. GST) per customs broker licensing period. Please email the team at training@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. The most recent meeting was held on 2 September 2026. Meeting minutes will be released in due course. The next meeting is scheduled for 12 November 2026 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: 14 September 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 154-2026 New approve arrangement class 19.2 code for onshore ethyl formate treatment 09 September 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 153-2026 List of treatment providers update: Treatment provider under review - M/s. Ambey Pest Control )AEI: IN1125MB
Notices:
To receive real-time automated notices direct from DAFF, please register HERE.
- Imports: 15 September 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 155-2026: Suspension of imports of fresh fruit whole pomelo fruit grown or produced in Vietnam 14 September 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 154-2026: New approved arrangement class 19.2 code for onshore ethyl formate treatment 09 September 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 153-2026 List of Treatment providers update: Treatment provider under review - M/s Ambey Pest Control (AEI:IN1125MB)
- System Notifications:
11 September 2026 : DAFF - ISN : 179-2026 Scheduled Outage : Saturday 12 September to Sunday 13 September 2026 - Multiple Systems BICON Watch – Weekly Case Updates
To support customs brokers and importers in staying ahead of operational changes, we have introduced a weekly snapshot of BICON case updates issued in the past seven days. This section will highlight newly added conditions, revised import pathways, and notable treatment or permit changes that may affect lodgements and client advice.
Case Alerts: Final report released for the khapra beetle pest risk analysis - Part 1 (plant product pathways) The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has released the final Khapra Beetle Pest Risk Analysis (Part 1 - Plant Product Pathways), effective 5 September 2026, confirming that Australia's current emergency khapra beetle measures for plant products will largely be retained as ongoing biosecurity requirements. The report recommends maintaining all seven existing emergency measures, introducing a new measure for plant products imported for research purposes, strengthening phytosanitary certification requirements, and requiring offshore treatment providers implementation arrangements are still being developed, current emergency measures will remain in place until updated import conditions are published in BICON. The changes affect a broad range of plant products, seeds for sowing, food products, research materials, and other high-risk plant commodities imported into Australia. Case Changes: New Documentation requirement for restricted seed for sowing Effective 15 September 2026, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has introduced a new requirement for certain restricted seed for sowing imports. Importers must now provide documentation that clearly verifies the scientific (botanical) name of the seed being imported. Accepted documents include:
The requirement has been implemented for several restricted seed pathways (including Panicum, Leymus, Roegneria, Secale cereale, sesame, papaya, avocado and others) and will be progressively expanded to additional restricted seed cases requiring post entry quarantine. The new requirement strengthens biosecurity controls by improving verification of seed identity, reducing inconsistencies in supporting documentation, and helping avoid border clearance delays caused by uncertainty around species identification. Xylella testing requirements for selected high-risk nursery stock genera Effective 15 September 2026, new biosecurity import conditions require nursery stock from the high-risk genera Carya, Coffea, Quercus, Celtis, and Populus to undergo PCR testing for Xylella spp. as part of the standard post entry quarantine (PEQ) disease screening process at the department's Mickleham facility in Victoria. The change aligns these genera with existing Xylella risk management measures applied to other high-risk nursery stock and is intended to strengthen Australia's biosecurity protections against significant plant pests and pathogens. Importers, brokers and departmental staff should consider this additional testing requirement when planning future imports and quarantine arrangements. New import permit requirement for fresh citrus fruit imported from Egypt Effective 14 September 2026, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has introduced a new import permit requirement for all eligible fresh citrus fruit imported Egypt. Previously, these commodities could be imported without a permit; however, importers must now obtain a valid import permit before goods arrive in Australia. The change applies to oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, grapefruit, and related citrus species, and is intended to strengthen oversight of imports and ensure continued alignment with Australia's biosecurity and regulatory requirements. Importers are encouraged to apply well in advance, as permit assessments may take up to 20 business days. Addition of Cyclamen maritimum to various BICON cases Effective 11 September 2026, Cyclamen maritimum has been added to the Permitted seed for sowing, Raw seed for human consumption, and bulbs to be grown in open quarantine for use as nursery stock BICON cases following an update to its scientific classification. previously recognised as Cyclamen graecum subsp.anatolicum, the species is now treated as a distinct taxon. As Cyclamen graecum is already permitted for import, Cyclamen maritimum has been added to the same import pathways to maintain existing biosecurity risk management and import policy settings. No changes have been made to the import conditions, however, current permit holders wishing to import Cyclamen maritimum will need to apply for a permit variation to include the species. Addition of various species to 'Nursery stock species requiring an import condition review' case The Department has expanded the BICON case "Nursery stock species requiring an import condition review" by adding a range of genera whose import conditions have been suspended due to limited recent trade and changes in associated biosecurity risks. In addition, several genera and species that were already subject to suspended import conditions across other BICON cases have now been consolidated into this review case. As a result, all species listed in the updated case are currently prohibited from import until a biosecurity risk assessment is completed and, where appropriate, new import conditions are developed. No existing import permits are affected by these changes. The update primarily impacts nursery stock importers, customs brokers, Biosecurity Imports Support team, and Cargo and Traveller Operations. Updated quarantine status for Caladium heterophyllum and Colocasia heterophylla Effective 10 September 2026, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has updated the quarantine status of Caladium heterophyllum and Colocasia heterophylla following a taxonomic review that confirmed both species are now classified under the accepted name Alocasia heterophylla. As a result, the former species names have been removed from the relevant BICON listings, and imports will continue to be managed under the existing conditions for Alocasia heterophylla within the Ceratocystis spp. hosts for use as nursery stock case. No changes to import permit conditions are required, as current measures adequately address the associated biosecurity risks. This update is relevant to importers, customs brokers, and departmental staff. Updated biosecurity risk for Xanthosoma roseum Effective 9 September 2026, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry updated the import conditions for Xanthosoma roseum following a taxonomic review that confirmed it is a synonym under the existing Permitted seed for sowing BICON case, and the standalone Xanthosoma roseum seed-for-sowing case has been decommissioned. The department also reviewed the biosecurity risk associated with Xanthosoma seed imports and found no evidence that Moko causing strains of Ralstonia solanacearum are seed borne or seed transmitted in Xanthosoma species. Consequently, the existing biosecurity risk remains acceptable, and no additional import measures or mandatory treatments are required for Xanthosoma sagittifolium or its synonyms, including Xanthosoma roseum. This change is relevant to importers, customs brokers, and departmental staff involved in seed-for-sowing imports.
> 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. Lucy Robinson - Licensed Customs Broker Head of Border, Biosecurity & Logistics - FTA / APSA Copyright © 2026 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.