There is good news for some importers as a result of the Biosecurity Act which comes into force on 16 June 2016. The new act replaces the old Quarantine Act of 1908. If your goods are subject to quarantine, please click here to view information about changes to the import and export conditions.

Goods that will no longer require a permit when specified conditions are met are:

• retorted (e.g. canned) pet food containing ingredients derived from ruminants that originated from Australia and New Zealand only and that are exported from New Zealand
• dead cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish)
• used tyres on rims and off rims
• used Machinery and equipment (other than beekeeping and veterinary equipment)
• Humulus lupulus (hops) imported from New Zealand for processing
• unshelled almonds (Prunus amygdalus or Prunus dulcis) for human consumption
• chestnuts (Castanea spp) from New Zealand for human consumption
• green coffee beans
• corn or maize grits from New Zealand for processing
• kibbled cereal mix from New Zealand for human consumption
• gulong tribute rice/millet for human consumption
• peat (being black peat, peat moss, sphagnum peat moss, white peat)
• coir peat
• fresh fruit or vegetables or fungi or leaves or herbs (as determined by the Director of Biosecurity)
• semi-processed onions or shallots from China for human consumption
• semi-processed pineapples from Bolivia or Brazil for human consumption
• semi-processed garlic from China for human consumption
• chilled pomelo pulp or segments from Thailand for human consumption
• chilled durian segments or pulp from Malaysia or Thailand for human consumption
• Baecka frutescens dried plant material for use as thatching, fencing or screening
• potpourri.

These goods will have changes to import conditions:

• Veterinary therapeutics and medicines; additional biological materials have been added to the list of Approved Ingredients.
• Cosmetics for animals (e.g. shampoos) will be subject to the same regulatory framework as that applied to veterinary medicines.
• Mined fertiliser in bags of 100kg or less will require an import permit.

If you have any queries on these changes please contact Les Jennings via les@tomax.com.au or call 1300 186 629.