Australia revises import regulations for dairy, aquatic products

The government of Australia has revised its rules for the importation of dairy products, the Department of Trade and Industry announced on Friday.

In an advisory, the DTI said that for dairy products, effective 9 November 2023, commodities having less than 10 percent dairy content no longer need Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry approval to enter Australia.

However, a manufacturer's declaration or food product label stating that dairy content is less than 10 percent by dry weight (excluding added water) is required for biosecurity compliance.

Scrutinized for import compliance

Further, products will be scrutinized for import compliance if documentation is missing or insufficient.

"For aquatic products, Australia's DAFF is requiring mandatory certification for bivalve mollusk and bivalve mollusk products issued by the recognized foreign government authority to be presented upon arrival of goods in Australia," the DTI advisory said.

Products covered are clams, cockles, mussels, oysters, pipis, and scallops.

However, certain products are exempt from the foreign government certification requirements, such as retorted and shelf-stable products, including condiments and sauces, as well as dried products, such as chilled soup mixes containing dried bivalve mollusks.

Foreign government certificates

"It is worth noting that the requirement on foreign government certificates does not apply to bivalve mollusks and bivalve mollusk products imported from New Zealand," the advisory further stated.

In 2022, the Philippines exported about $56,000 worth of dairy products to Australia while there were no recorded Philippine exports of mollusks.