Changes to Imported Foods Program
From 20 may 2013, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (DAFF) is phasing in a new requirement that the overseas must be declared for all imported food that is lodged in an import declaration. This new requirement will be mandatory from 1 October 2013.
The Producer is used by DAFF to determine the appropriate rate of inspection for an imported food, based on the compliance of previous consignments. Declaring the producer for all imported foods in an import declaration will deliver the following benefits:Reduce the amount of your imported food incorrectly referred to DAFF, Reduce the time required for DAFF to assess your supporting documentation, Reduce the time required for DAFF officers to inspect and sample your imported food.
Importers should contact their overseas suppliers and ensure that the producer is clearly identified on the commercial documentation for each type of imported food in a consignment. Importers are responsible for providing the Customs Broker with sufficient information to accurately declare the producer of the food being imported.
Quarantine advise that the producer of an imported food is the commercial or individuals premises or area in the country of origin where the goods were grown, caught, manufactured or processed. The producer may also be referred to as the manufacturer, processor or packer. The producer of the food MAY be the same as the exporter/supplier. However, the producer is NOT a third party premises where finished food products are consolidated for export, such as a warehouse of freight forwarder.
In the case of raw or unprocessed foods such as meat, seafood, seaweed, fruits and vegetables, the producer is the commercial or individuals premises where the goods are packed into the final bulk or retail packaging. For processed foods, the producer is the commercial or individuals premises where the goods were processed into the finished product and packed into the final bulk or retail packaging. The name and contact details for the producer should appear on the final bulk or retail packaging. For gift hampers or similar items that container multiple foods from multiple producers, the producer is the premises where the goods are packed into the final bulk or retail packaging. Read More