WHAT IS A PACKING DECLARATION? WHY DO I NEED A PACKING DECLARATION?

What is a Packing Declaration? Why do I need a Packing Declaration? 

A packing declaration is a letter that tells Australian Customs and the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service (AQIS) the type of packing material that is used in your goods.  It is only required for sea freight shipments. 

Your supplier will need to fill out a packing declaration on their letterhead and send via fax or email to you. It's important to check they have completed all information required on the form. It's also very important they sign and date the packing declaration as well. 

If you're using a freight forwarder they will let you know if the supplier has made any mistakes on the packing declaration, it just saves you time if the supplier gets it right the first time. 

There are two types of packing declarations.   One packing declaration is for single LCL and FCL shipments and the other is an Annual Packing Declaration. 

An annual packing declaration can be completed by a supplier and will last for 12 months.  Note if you are dealing with a few different suppliers then you will need an annual declaration filled out for each supplier.  Ask your supplier to post the original to you, take a copy for your records and then pass onto your freight forwarder or customs department for them to keep on file. 

It is definitely worth getting your supplier to complete an annual packing declaration if you are importing lots of containers throughout the year. 

Not only does the packing declaration reveal the packing used in your goods but also shows how clean the container and the goods are. Grass, seeds and dirt on your goods or container can also bring pests into the country. 

If a valid packing declaration does not accompany a sea freight consignment, the consignment will be directed to AQIS for an inspection to verify whether or not wooden packing and/or bark and straw are present. A fee will be charged to you for this service and further action may be required depending on the items found. 

In Australia there are laws covering the import of wood, bark and straw. Pests can live in wood, bark or straw and, once introduced into Australia, can cause problems with the ecology. These pests need to be killed by fumigation to make sure that they don't enter Australia. 

If your goods do contain wood, bark, or straw then you need to arrange fumigation by an Australian Quarantine Inspection Service approved company up to 21 days before shipment.   Arranging the treatment/fumigation overseas before the goods leave is the most cost effective method for fumigation. 

If you don't organise fumigation for your goods before they leave the port or airport of origin then you'll need to arrange fumigation here in Australia upon arrival by an AQIS authorised company. 

If this is not done and your consignment does not have a valid treatment certificate the goods could be confiscated, destroyed or re-exported from Australia. 

We can help arrange fumigation options for your goods. 

Phone: 1300 0 56246 (13000LOCHM)