ICON Query - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Quarantine Alert

The information here covers DAFF quarantine requirements only and is current on the date of transmission but may change without notice. DAFF makes no warranties or representations with respect to the accuracy or completeness of that information and will bear no liability with respect to that information. Importers must satisfy quarantine concerns and comply with quarantine conditions applicable at the time of entry. The Commonwealth through DAFF is not liable for any costs arising from or associated with decisions of importers to import based on conditions presented here which are not current at the time of importation. It is the importer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information at the time of importation.

It is the importer’s responsibility to identify and to ensure it has complied with, all requirements of any other regulatory and advisory bodies prior to and after importation including the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health and Ageing, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and any State agencies such as Departments of Agriculture and Health and Environmental Protection authorities.

Importers should note that this list is not exhaustive. Importers should also note that all foods imported into Australia must comply with the provisions of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 , an Act which is administered by DAFF.

Notification of the import must be provided to DAFF for all imported goods other than goods imported as accompanied baggage or goods imported via the mail and not prescribed under the Customs Act 1901. Notification must be consistent with Quarantine Regulations 2000 (examples include a Quarantine Entry or a Quarantine declaration).

Public Quarantine Alert PQA0804

New import conditions for bamboo products

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Biosecurity (DAFF Biosecurity) wishes to advise industry that the review of import requirements for bamboo articles announced in the Notice to Industry 69/2011 has been completed in consultation with industry stakeholders. New import conditions for bamboo products will be effective from 15 April 2012.

Import conditions for articles made from cane, rattan and willow and wicker articles remain unchanged.

What has changed?

Old conditions	New conditions
One import condition for all bamboo products	New import conditions for: Bamboo laminates and bamboo veneer articles; and . Dried bamboo articles (e.g. bamboo poles and stakes, bamboo fencing, bamboo slat blinds)
Mandatory offshore treatment for all imported bamboo products	Bamboo laminates and bamboo veneer are exempt from treatment and inspection requirements Dried bamboo articles require offshore or onshore treatment
Offshore treatment options were limited to fumigation or gamma irradiation	Dried bamboo articles with a manufacturer’s declaration demonstrating that the bamboo has been boiled in water at 100°C for not less than 30 minutes can be released on documents. Valid treatment certificates for methyl bromide, ethylene oxide and gamma irradiation will also be accepted
Bamboo articles treated offshore with methyl bromide required were subject to inspection on arrival	Dried bamboo articles that have been methyl bromide fumigated will not be subject to a verification inspection.

Further information

A fact sheet on bamboo products is available online.

For more information on the new import requirements for bamboo articles and bamboo laminates and veneers please contact Timber and Timber Products National Co–ordination Centre in the DAFF Biosecurity Victorian Regional Office on 03 8318 6929 or email Timber imports.