BIOSECURITY & CUSTOMS IN AUSTRALIA: KEY REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTERS IN 2025

• Demonstrate the legality of their timber imports according to the Illegal Logging Reforms.
• Ensure their cargo complies with offshore fumigation and biosecurity treatment standards to prevent costly disruptions.
• Prepare for stricter enforcement at the border, even throughout the transition period.
  

   

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

• Shipment Delays: If your documentation doesn’t meet the new requirements, your goods could be held at the border for further inspections, delaying delivery.
• Onshore Treatment Costs: If an offshore treatment provider is suspended while your goods are in transit, you'll have to pay for fumigation in Australia, adding unexpected costs.
• Re-exportation or Destruction of Goods: If a product fails to meet Australia’s biosecurity standards, it could be denied entry and sent back—or worse, destroyed.
•  Regulatory Penalties: While enforcement will focus on education initially, businesses that don’t take compliance seriously may face fines or sanctions.

Ignoring these changes could put your supply chain at risk—but with the right preparation, you can stay ahead of the curve.

Dates to Keep In Mind for 2025

• March 3, 2025 – Illegal Logging Reforms Take Effect. The Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment Act 2024 and Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 come into force, introducing new due diligence requirements for timber importers and processors.
• March – September 2025 – Illegal Logging Transition Period. Enforcement will focus on education and guidance, with penalties only for serious non-compliance.
• March 17, 2025 – DAFF Mandatory CBC Compliance Deadline. Customs brokers must complete DAFF Mandatory CBC Activity 24-25/01 (CPD0215) to remain compliant.
• March 31, 2025 – India’s Tariff-Free Period for Lentil Imports Ends. Importers must apply for a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) certificate to qualify for a 15% reduced tariff.
• July 1, 2025 – Live Animal Export Cost Recovery Update. The new Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) takes effect, but no fee changes are expected.

Illegal Logging Reforms: What's Changed?

The New Rules Are Here

On March 3, 2025, the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment Act 2024 and the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 officially took effect. These updates strengthen Australia’s commitment to preventing illegally sourced timber from entering the supply chain.

The new regulations introduce enhanced due diligence requirements for importers and processors of timber products. Businesses must now provide greater transparency in their sourcing practices and demonstrate that their timber is legally harvested.

For reference, the government has released a digikit and fact sheets to help businesses comply:

• Digikit for stakeholders
• Fact Sheet - Importers' responsibilities
• Fact Sheet - Processors' responsibilities

The Growing Risk of Offshore Treatment Suspensions

While illegal logging rules tighten, another biosecurity risk is creating challenges for importers—offshore fumigation and treatment provider suspensions.

Recent changes to BSBM (Biosecurity System for Biosecurity Matters) requirements have resulted in multiple offshore treatment providers being suspended while goods were already in transit. This has left businesses scrambling to either:

• Pay for onshore treatments, adding unexpected costs and delays.
• Re-export shipments, an expensive and logistically complex alternative.

Recent Example: Ser.Chim. Fumigazioni S.R.L. Suspension

One notable case is the recent suspension of Ser.Chim. Fumigazioni S.R.L. (AEI: IT4027SB) on March 7, 2025. This Italian treatment provider was found to have critical non-compliance issues, leading to its suspension from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's (DAFF) list of approved offshore treatment providers.

What does this mean? Any consignments treated by this provider, even those already in transit, were no longer considered compliant. Importers who had relied on Ser.Chim. Fumigazioni S.R.L. suddenly faced two costly options:

• Pay for emergency fumigation upon arrival in Australia.
• Re-export the goods at their own expense.

You can refer to DAFF's official notice for more details on this case.

To avoid similar disruptions, importers must:

• Regularly check DAFF's list of approved treatment providers
• Diversify suppliers: Relying on a single treatment provider is risky—always have a backup option.
• Plan for contingencies: If a provider is suspended, you need a strategy to handle treatments on arrival without delaying shipments.

Additional Customs & Biosecurity Updates Affecting Trade

Beyond illegal logging reforms and offshore treatment challenges, several other regulatory updates are shaping international trade in Australia.

FMD Outbreak in Hungary & Slovakia

Australia has removed Hungary and Slovakia from its FMD-free list due to an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). This means tighter controls on:

• Dairy and beef imports
• Reproductive materials
• Veterinary products
• Pet food and lab goods

Goods produced before February 3, 2025, may still be released with proper documentation, but anything after this date faces re-exportation or destruction.

More details here

Lentil Exports to India: Tariff-Free Period Ends

For exporters, India's tariff-free exemption on lentils will end on March 31, 2025. Businesses must apply for a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) certificate via EXDOC to qualify for a 15% reduced tariff.

TRQ applications must be lodged within three weeks of departure—so if you're in this space, act fast.

TRQ details

Live Animal Exports: Cost Recovery Update

DAFF has released its financial report for Live Animal Export Cost Recovery, with an updated Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) set to take effect from July 1, 2025. The good news? No fee changes are expected.

More information

DAFF Mandatory CBC Deadline – March 17, 2025

This is a reminder for customs brokerage professionals that the DAFF Mandatory CBC Activity 24-25/01 (CPD0215) assessment must be completed by March 17, 2025.

Customs brokers need 30 CPD points for the licensing period (April 2024 – March 2025), and this assessment provides two CPD points.

Course details

How to Stay Compliant and Minimize Risk

With so many biosecurity risks and regulatory shifts, businesses must take proactive steps to ensure compliance.

Practical Steps for Importers & Logistics Providers:

• Monitor Australian customs and biosecurity updates—Subscribe to DAFF’s alerts and industry newsletters.
• Stay ahead of regulatory changes—Ensure your customs brokerage and logistics partners are up to date.
• Verify treatment providers—Use only DAFF-approved fumigation and biosecurity treatment services (List of Approved Treatment Providers).
• Review supply chains—Assess risks related to timber sourcing, biosecurity compliance, and trade policies.
• Work with experienced partners—A knowledgeable logistics provider can prevent costly errors and delays.

At KLN Oceania, we help businesses stay compliant, manage risks, and streamline supply chain operations. If you need guidance on customs regulations, biosecurity measures, or trade compliance, contact us today.