Processing 100 times faster for compliant importers: DAFF

Importers who comply with biosecurity requirements can have their goods released up to 100 times more quickly than those who don’t comply, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has said.

A new report from DAFF, 2008-12 imported cargo processing: a DAFF time release study, looks at how quickly and efficiently imported cargo was cleared through Australia’s international border.

According to Tim Chapman, First Assistant Secretary of the Border Compliance Division, the study showed that an importer’s compliance was the key factor in forecasting how quickly cargo directed to DAFF for a biosecurity assessment cleared the border.

“For example, in 2011–12, the median arrival-to-release time for compliant sea cargo was about 0.7 days, while it was about 11 days for non-compliant cargo,” Chapman said.

“Similarly, compliant air cargo’s median arrival-to-release time of 1.2 hours was more than 100 times faster than the 122 hours it took on average to process non-compliant cargo in 2011–12.”

While there is more risk involved in importing commodities like live plants and animals, Chapman said the study shows that where risk is appropriately managed by the importer and their agents, businesses can expect to save time and money no matter what commodity they import.

Although those importing televisions can always expect to clear the border faster than those bringing in fresh produce, “those who import fresh produce and have the appropriate documentation showing how they manage the risks outlined in import conditions can expect a shorter delay than those who bring in the same commodity and can’t show the same risk-management measures,” Chapman said.

The study analysed around 3.8 million consignments and 6.9 million directions. It found that:

• There have been sustained improvements in cargo release times every year since 2008-09.
• The median arrival-to-release time for 2011-12 air cargo was 1.5 hours, down 84% from 9.7 hours in 2008-09. This is largely due to electronic document sharing with express couriers.
• For sea cargo, the median arrival-to-release time was 1.6 days in 2011-12, down 15% from 1.9 days in 2008-09.

The study is available on the DAFF website.