There are strict regulations to follow when importing goods into Australia. If you’re looking to import certain commodities, an import permit may be required. These permits are administered by the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system, run by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Failure to present an import permit in some circumstances can lead to the destruction of your goods. If you’re concerned about whether you need one, this is the right article to read.
Below we’ll take a detailed look into the import permit, including what it is and when you’ll need one.
What is an import permit?
An import permit is a document issued by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in circumstances where you are required by law to have a permit to import certain commodities.
This is because some products are subject to biosecurity conditions under federal legislation such as the Biosecurity Act 2015, meaning they are prohibited from entering Australia without permission from the Department.
You can easily search the specific goods you’re importing on the BICON database to see if you require an import permit.
Some examples include foods such as dairy products or fresh fruit and vegetables (you can read more about this on our blog on importing food into Australia).
How do I apply for an import permit?
If you need an import permit, you’ll need to first register an account with BICON. Ensure you review BICON’s registration guidelines as there are multiple types of accounts in the BICON system you can apply for. When registering, you’ll be asked if you’re registering as an individual or company, and you’ll need to provide all relevant contact details.
Once you’ve registered your account, you’ll be able to start the application for the import permit and attach any documents that may be necessary. There is no automatic issuing of a permit simply because your goods require a permit. The Department will look at your application and decide to grant you a permit, and they may impose certain conditions to make sure your goods arrive in Australia safely. You’ll also need to pay a fee.
Most applications are decided within 20 days, but the process may take longer if your application is complicated. The Department has a maximum of six months to determine your application.
How much does an import permit cost?
At the time of writing (January 2022), you’ll need to pay a $120 lodgement fee for submitting an application and an additional permit category fee, the amount of which is determined by the category of the goods you’re seeking to import.
The categories are as follows:
Category 1 – $60. This is the fee for standard goods.
Category 2 – $120. This is the fee for certain non-standards goods, including but not limited to canned pet food, cosmetics, food items for human consumption, fruit, human vaccines, soil samples and water.
Category 3 – $240. This is the fee for certain non-standards goods, such as herbal teas, plant pollen for in-vivo use or wood chips for cooking food.
Category 4 – $360. This is also for some non-standards goods, including bird seed, live animals, dried pet food or organic fertiliser.
Category 5 – $480. This fee is for non-standard goods like certain veterinary vaccines.
The fees you have to pay may increase if your application is particularly complex.
You’ll need to review the above categories in detail to make sure you know the correct fee. The Department will not start looking at your application until all the correct fees have been paid. We recommend looking at the Departmental Charging Guidelines so you know exactly what you must pay.
What happens if my goods arrive without a permit?
If your commodities are imported without a valid import permit, the Department will direct your goods for export or destruction. You will not be able to apply for a permit retrospectively.
You may also be charged with a criminal offence. It is an offence under section 186 of the Biosecurity Act to import goods into Australian territory without an import permit if those particular commodities required a permit to have been issued. There are several different offences in that section you may be charged with, with the maximum penalty being 10 years’ imprisonment or 2,000 penalty units (or both).
What if the Department refuses my import permit application?
If the Department decides to refuse, vary, suspend or revoke your import permit, you are able to challenge that decision under the Biosecurity Act.
You can first choose to have the decision reviewed internally by the Department and, if that still does not result in your application being granted, you can apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for further review.
Questions?
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed at the process, it’s always best to engage an experienced freight forwarder to answer all your questions. At International Cargo Express, we have decades of experience helping importers with permits and legislation.
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call or leave a comment below. We’d be more than happy to speak with you about your business and whether you require an import permit.
or call us on 1300 227 461
Dear ice cargo
I would like to apply for import permit
Can you help me to process this one ?
I am from J TIP seafood company would to import seafood product from Thailand and China
By sea and air
Please help me for this one
Thank you
Thanks for your enquiry!
Kindly submit your request via our Get in Touch form so we can have your contact details and address it appropriately.
https://www.icecargo.com.au/contact-2/
Hi, I like to import succulent plants for self collections via air. I dont know where to begin. Please help.
Hi Angel,
Unfortunately, we cannot assist with personal effects. We only handle commercial cargo.
Hi,
I would like to import Construction fasteners and LPG gas Stove (burner) from Taiwan to Australia.
Please advise.
Thanks and Regards,
Tony Nguyen
Hi Tony,
For advice from one of our freight experts, please get in touch through our Contact form.
https://www.icecargo.com.au/contact-2/
Hi I would like to either apply for a permit or a license to import my families kava to sell for them to make a living
I would like to import different types of oil for motor vehicles
How much does it cost for permit?
Hi Bharatsinh – thanks for reaching out! We would suggest the best way to start the process would be to collect relevant information about the specific motor oil you are looking to import. The best way to do so would be to request Safety Data Sheets (SDS) from your supplier, you can find more about SDS’s here. Once you have this information, we recommend reaching out to your freight specialist for further guidance. If we can be of more assistance please let us know!
Hi guys, I am looking to acquire an import permit to import a health and wellness product form the UK.
The product is an all natural nutritional product that is made mainly from organic honey with some additional herbs.
Please can I arrange a call with somebody to discuss further?
Hi Chris,
Certainly. Please send through your details and information about the product you would like to import to . We will then review your details and arrange a call to discuss further.
Thanks in advance