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Weekly Update 18 January 2021
Quarantine Declaration (QD) FAQ
Q. The website says that as of 1 February 2021 all Sea Container Quarantine Declarations (QD) must be in the new format approved under schedule 2 of the Sea Container IHS. Is this the date of arrival of the container in NZ?
A: To clarify, any container that has left its port of export prior to 1 February 2021 does not need to have the Quarantine Declaration (QD) in its new format. The leaving port of export date equates to the shipped-on-board (SOB) date. Any container leaving its port of export from 1 February 2021 will need a QD in the new format.
Q. What will happen if I have the wrong QD?
A: MPI will use an educational approach for any containers shipped between 1 February and 15 March. Any containers shipped after 15 March that have the incorrect QD may be held until such time as the appropriate correct documentation is presented. This may result in delays for your container and will incur a second submission screening fee from MPI.
It is in your best interests to have the correct documentation on your first submission.
Q. My QD has a Bill of Lading (BOL) number or shipment number instead of a container number. Is this OK?
A: Yes, this will be accepted provided the QD can be linked to the specific shipment. MPI understands that listing container numbers may be difficult when there are multiple containers in a shipment.
Q. What fields are mandatory on a QD? Does it matter if a persons’ name in printed instead of a signature?
A: With exception of the date the container is sealed (if this does not apply), we require all fields to be filled out. We will however accept a printed name in lieu of a signature or a stamp that contains all the required information.
Q. What does “Date container sealed (where applicable)” mean? Do I have to fill this out?
A: Container sealing date is required when containers have been treated for BMSB under the Sea Container Import Health Standard or the Vehicles and Machinery standard and must be sealed within a specified number of hours after treatment.
If the container will be sealed at an alternative facility to the one that originally packed the container (eg a treatment facility) then we will still accept the QD if this is not filled out provided another form of declaration is supplied- such as a treatment certificate with sealing information or a time-stamped photograph.
Q. What about my Annual QD? Can I still use this?
A: If you currently have an Annual QD this can be used until it expires.
Q. I have an exporter that regularly sends large volumes of the same type of containerised cargo to an importer in New Zealand and the QD answers are consistently the same. Will you be offering a new Annual QD for these clients to use?
A: The annual QD is being replaced with a Biennial (2 yearly) QD. This option will only be able to be used for containerised cargo that does not require treatment for BMSB (and therefore sealing) under the Vehicles and Machinery or Sea Container IHS’s. This template and the associated instructions are currently being updated and an industry notification will be sent when this is available.
