Clarification on Storage Declaration for wooden manufactured articles (NNF 2017/174)

Further to newsflash NNF 2017/160 Changes to import conditions and documentary requirements for wooden manufactured articles we have received a number of calls asking for clarification on the definition of export (i.e. date of treatment and date of export match) statement in the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) industry notice 71/2017.

It is important to note that goods in consignments that have been sealed in a container and exported immediately after treatment (i.e. date of treatment and date of export match) do not require a storage declaration. Refer to the department’s Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy for what evidence is required to prove date of export.

The definition of export is in the Minimum document and import declaration requirements policy, under section c) states a consignment is considered to be exported when it is packed in a container and sealed in preparation for export.  For example, when consignments in a container are treated the container is then sealed, it is then considered to be exported which means the date of treatment and date of export match.  

Consignment that are fumigated in a container have the container number included in the certificate, as can be seen by the AFAS Methyl Bromide Certificate on the department's website. The inclusion of a container number in a CIQ certificate is accepted by the department in the same manner as the AFAS certificate above. 

The department’s Assessment Service Group have been accepting fumigation certificated for FCL containers as the evidence of treatment in the container and date of export and this will continue despite the extension period from 21 day to 6 months.

From 11 September 2017 consignments of manufactured wooden articles treated offshore by heat, fumigation or irradiation methods will be required to be exported within 6 calendar months of the required treatment and be accompanied by additional storage certification in the form of a manufacturer’s, supplier’s or exporter’s declaration. Note this requirement will not apply to consignments treated in a container as stated under exceptions in the department’s industry notice.

We hope this clarifies the departments position related to date of treatment and date of export match.

For further information of the upcoming changes please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or email Imports.