Asbestos import and export permit holder's responsibilities include:
- Complying with all applicable laws, including for importation and exportation, handling, labelling, packaging and disposing of asbestos. A list of relevant laws can be found on the ‘Where can I check the laws’ page.
- Complying with the conditions of the permit.
- Ensuring all parties in the supply chain for goods, materials or samples that contain, or may contain asbestos, are made aware of Australian import and export requirements including declaring asbestos at the border.
- Ensuring a copy of the valid permit is available to produce if requested by the Australian Border Force.
Are import and export declarations required?
- Formal Import Declarations are required for all imports that contain, or may contain, asbestos including samples. Further information is available at https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/importing/how-to-import/import-declaration.
- Instructions are to be provided to the permit holder’s freight forwarder or customs broker to lodge a formal import entry, describing the goods with the word asbestos. For example: samples for asbestos testing.
- The same description also needs to be used by the sender in the country of origin, particularly when using international couriers who control end-to-end shipment. Provide this instruction before shipment to Australia.
- Formal Export Declarations including the asbestos export permit number and the appropriate Australian Harmonised Export Commodity Code (AHECC) used to describe the goods are required for all exports that contain or may contain asbestos including samples. Further information is available at https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/exporting/how-to-export/export-declaration.
Soil samples imported for testing for the presence of asbestos
Importations of soil, including samples for analysis, are controlled pursuant to Australian biosecurity laws.
Asbestos import permit holders intending to import soil samples for testing may be required to obtain an import permission granted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Agriculture) or may be subject to mandatory conditions upon importation.
Relevant information can be found at the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) database published on the Agriculture website: BICON - Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions.
