From the website of:
Corrugated Pallets Inc. - www.corrugatedpallets.com
Phone: 519-576-8181
E-Mail: info@corrugatedpallets.com
Corrugated Pallets Inc. - www.corrugatedpallets.com
Phone: 519-576-8181
E-Mail: info@corrugatedpallets.com
This document originally appeared at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/swp/swaus.html
Date Modified: 2002-02-05
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is changing the way in which timber packaging imported with Less than a Container Load (LCL) cargo is cleared for quarantine. This change will be effected through an extension of the Australian Broker Accreditation Scheme, complemented by Compliance Agreements with the operators of break-bulk depots where LCL cargo is unpacked.
AQIS is implementing this scheme in order to reduce the risk of contaminants and insect infestation in LCL packing. However we are conscious of the effect that the scheme will have on industry, both domestic and international, and have therefore made the scheme as streamlined as possible.
In essence, the changes to the requirements for LCL packaging bring them into line with the current requirements for wooden packaging used in Full Container Load (FCL) containers. It is not mandatory for timber packaging to be treated, however, untreated timber packaging will be subject to either:
These options all will involve some delay to the delivery of the cargo, so it is expected that many exporters will want to pre-treat timber packaging to expedite the quarantine clearance of their consignments.
For further reference, please view the “Cargo Containers — Quarantine aspects and procedures booklet” (Viewing this file requires a PDF file reader, such as the Adobe Acrobat Reader). This booklet contains all the approved treatment types both permanent (such as CCA) and non-permanent (such as fumigation), these are listed in Appendix I and II of the booklet. These treatments are acceptable for all timber packaging exported to Australia, including that shipped with LCL cargo. Some details on how the new arrangements will work are provided below:
New arrangements for LCL cargo:
In this revised initiative the accredited person (Australian Customs Broker or Importer), upon lodgement of a LCL entry, will declare any untreated wooden packaging used with the consignment. Wooden packaging utilised in LCL consignments will be allowed the same treatment options as wooden packing in FCL consignments (see above). LCL packaging information may be sourced by the accredited person from “documents prepared in the normal course of business” such as — but not limited to:
In order for an Australian Customs Broker or Importer to “declare untreated wooden packing” they must first identify wooden packing in the shipment. The packaging information, that the Australian Customs Broker or Importer will be looking for is an indication that the consignment has wooden packing ie the house bill stating “four (4) pallets said to contain 34 cartons of xxxxxx”. As stated this information can be present on a number of documents.
The requirements for treatment of pallets and other wooden packing used in LCL shipments are to be the same as the current requirements for FCL packing. The certificates will have slightly different requirements however (to meet the needs of LCL cargo) in that they will not require the container number as a mandatory field but will require a numerical link to the shipment such as one of the following:
The best advice in relation to the inclusion of wooden packing is to inform your exporting freight forwarders to state clearly on the house bill of lading whether such packing is present. Alternatively, this information can appear on other commercial documents. AQIS is not requiring the inclusion of a separate packing declaration (as is required for FCL cargo) for LCL cargo, however this is one of the options available for the provision of information about the presence (or otherwise) of timber packing.
AQIS will be introducing the scheme in April this year, although sanctions against Customs brokers who fail to meet the new requirements will not be applied until later in the year. This will allow for a phase-in period where brokers can become familiar with the requirements of the new system without incurring penalties for minor errors or oversights.
This information was provided by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.
