Weekly Update 31 August 2020

31 August 2020 Industry notification: Delays to Paperless Import Certificates from Australia

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (AWE) recently signed an arrangement for comprehensive electronic certification.  The paperless transfer for most sanitary and phytosanitary certificates exchanged across the Tasman was to be implemented by 31 August 2020. There is a delay to some of the transition, however from 31st August 2020 certificates for plant and plant products will be paperless.

For details on the timelines for animal product certificates to be paperless refer to https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/overview/overview-of-the-importing-process/

Transitioning to paperless exchange of certificates will help New Zealand continue trading, and address future challenges such as increased volume and complexity of trade. It will modernise the way we trade with other countries and uses technology to strengthen areas such as security and our biosecurity system.

Benefits of paperless certification include:

• Providing prior notice of imports, which expedites clearance of goods
• Helping eliminate lost and illegible documents
• Improving efficiency for staff assessing certificates.
• Removing the need for physical contact during the COVID-19 epidemic
• Reducing the risk of fraud

What is the change?

From 31 August 2020, original paper certificates will no longer be required to clear many consignments imported from Australia (i.e. certification will be paperless). Certificate data will be sent directly from AWE to MPI and target evaluators will be able to access this data to clear consignments. 

Goods accompanying travellers or sent through the mail or courier services will still need to be accompanied by a paper certificate.

What you need to do

To ensure your consignments can be cleared without delay, please indicate the certificate number on your import lodgement in the Trade Single Window.

Extracts of data contained in the Electronic Certificate may be requested from AWE when requesting a certificate.

If you have any questions, please email eCertNZ@mpi.govt.nz