subject: The Basics Of Aqis [print this page] When importing goods into the country, your arriving freight always needs to be checked (and sometimes cleaned) to AQIS standards. Shipping containers can pick up exotic pests and diseases before or during transport to Australia. AQIS regulations exist to ensure that these threats are resolved, and the biosecurity of Australia is not undermined.
What Determines The Level Of Risk To Biosecurity?
Not all containers require thorough checking, however those that may create higher risks are legally required to be examined and cleaned if necessary. There are two main reasons your freight could be considered particularly high risk, keep in mind however, other freight also may be checked.
a. Destination
If your freight is going to be taken to a rural area it will be more thoroughly checked by AQIS officers. Containers that are destined for agricultural hot spots can cause devastation if they have picked up insects or disease.
b. Departure Point
If your container has been shipped from a high risk port, such as those struggling with Giant African snail, it will be considered a high risk to quarantine. AQIS officers are stationed at entry sites to the port, to check for signs of outward contamination, via visual assessment.
Are There Different Levels Of Contamination?
The level of contamination, if any, of your freight determines the appropriate following procedure:
1. Low level contamination requires little effort and equipment by AQIS officers. Low levels of contamination can usually be removed extremely quickly and the container in question will undergo no further quarantine intervention in most cases.
2. High level contamination is of a quantity that requires more extreme cleaning methods such as high pressure cleaning or fumigation. Before a container determined to have a high level of contamination can be fully processed, it must be cleaned by AQIS approved professionals.
How Are Containers And Products Treated If Contaminated?
Containers
If your container is contaminated, it may need fumigation or high pressure cleaning, depending on the threat. Professionals must be AQIS accredited to perform recognised fumigation. Your goods may also be fumigated if your container is deemed to lack the structural integrity to have kept threats from entering.
Products
Your product, such as machinery parts or automobiles, may need AQIS cleaning and clearance. This usually requires high steam cleaning and/or the use of decontamination facilities. Your machinery or product may need to be dismantled and refurbished in order to pass AQIS tests.
