“Biosecurity Blitz: DAFF Tightens Rules on High-Risk Imports”
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has introduced new inspection measures for selected high-risk imported commodities, including plant materials, seeds, nuts, spices, wood products and certain processed foods. The changes come as biosecurity breaches rise—Australia recorded a 17% increase in non-compliant cargo in the last financial year.
Under the new regime, DAFF is expanding randomised inspections, increasing sample sizes, and tightening documentary verification for cargo coming from Southeast Asia, India, Africa and parts of South America. Importers will face more frequent checks of packing declarations, treatment certificates, and cleanliness standards.
Processing times for high-risk goods are expected to increase by 1–3 days, with some cargo possibly held 5–7 days if documentation is incomplete. DAFF has also warned of higher charges for re-inspection, fumigation and non-compliance follow-ups.
This is especially significant for Australian food and beverage companies importing ingredients for domestic processing. Categories like spices, nuts, seeds, herbal commodities, wooden kitchenware and dried goods account for more than AUD 2.8 billion of Australia's annual imports. Even slight delays can disrupt manufacturing schedules, supermarket supply plans and seasonal retail cycles.
Freight forwarders are reminding importers that Australia maintains one of the strictest biosecurity systems globally, and the updated rules reflect heightened vigilance following recent pest and pathogen risks in global supply chains.
What Australian importers should do
- Ensure packing declarations & treatment certificates are 100% accurate.
- Add 1–3 days buffer for clearance of plant/food-related cargo.
- Pre-alert DAFF for cargo arriving with complex documentation.
- Work with suppliers to improve packaging hygiene and container cleanliness.
Source: DAFF biosecurity guidance updates & Australia import risk assessments
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