Interport Cargo Services is accredited with AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) to perform quarantine clearance of containers and packing material on behalf of AQIS.  November 1997.

Interport Cargo Services practices the strictest standards of control in Quarantine procedures. We regard the systematic inspection and treatment of containers and cargo from overseas ports as a vital step in keeping Australia free from many insect pests and diseases while permitting reasonably rapid clearance of containers and minimum interference to their movement within Australia.

Thorough cleaning of the inside and outside of the container prior to shipment will assist in removing contamination and could alleviate the need for expensive and time-consuming quarantine treatment in Australia.

Interport Cargo Services offers a complete international cargo service with an Approved Quarantine Fumigation area at our depot to ensure the absolute minimum of delay in clearing your goods.

CONTAMINATION THREATS TO AUSTRALIA

	Achatina fulica is considered by most authorities to be the most damaging land snail in the world. Originally a native of Eastern Africa, this voracious agricultural pest is now present virtually everywhere in the Indo-Pacific except for Australia and New Zealand. The Giant African Snail lays eggs in batches of 100 to 400 with up to 1200 being laid in a year. While the adult snail has an average life of 5 – 6 years it may live as long as 9 years. Although a tropical snail, Achatina fulica can survive cold conditions, even snow. The Giant African Snail has been recorded on a large number of plants including most ornamentals and vegetables and leguminous cover crops may suffer extensively. The bark of citrus, papaw, rubber and cacao is also subject to attack.
	The main quarantine risk lies in the introduction of the snail attached to crates, containers, plant material, machinery or motor vehicles. It can hide out of general sight and reach and can also be introduced in soil in the egg stage. Snails in aestivation, which have drawn deep into their shells, can lose 60% of their weight and consequently can be mistaken for dead specimens.

	The European House Borer Hylotupes bajulus is considered to be one of the world’s most destructive pests of seasoned softwood timbers and is responsible for enormous economic damage in all countries where it has become established. The borer causes severe structural damage to buildings. The adult female lays up to 2 batches each with up to 120 eggs in the cracks in susceptible softwoods. The larval period normally lasts about 3 to 4 years but 2 and 17 years have been recorded before the adult beetle leaves the timber. European House Borer attacks only softwood timber such as true pines, spruce and firs. Timbers commonly used for structural purposes in Australia including hoop pine, radiata pine and bunya pine have been shown to be susceptible to serious damage.
	All timber and timber articles entering Australia from overseas are subject to detailed inspection on arrival.

	Khapra Beetle is one of the most damaging pests of stored products including cereal grains, beans, seeds, livestock meals, dried milk, dried fruit, spaghetti and spices. Processed grain can be reduced to powder by Khapra Beetle attack. Khapra Beetle is difficult to control as it can survive abnormal conditions without food for a long time. A distinctive feature of Trogoderma granarium infestation is the presence of cast skins of the larvae. Larvae are capable of living more than 7 years without food. The larvae burrow into sacking, weakening the material and causing it to tear. Larvae have also been found in stocks of paper bags, in sheets of insulation and corrugated cardboard packing and can even adhere to rodents’ fur.
	Khapra Beetle is a constant threat and continuing challenge to quarantine; which could prove costly in terms of trade, if it became established in Australia.

TIMBER CONTAINERS AND PACKING MATERIALS

Many insects attack seasoned timber. Containers with exposed timber components imported into Australia must be free of infestation. Exposed timber used in the construction of containers should be permanently treated to AQIS requirements and the containers registered to minimise quarantine impediments in Australia. Or the container should be fumigated with methyl bromide or sulphuryl fluoride and packed or shipped within 21 days and refumigated for every subsequent trip to Australia. Interport Cargo Services can carry out quarantine requirements at our depot. There are no specific quarantine requirements for containers constructed without exposed timber, other than freedom from soil, plant material and contamination from animal products. Timber packing materials should be permanently treated with a preservative or temporarily disinfested. Containers in which straw, rice hulls or similar plant material has been used as packing must be unpacked in order to destroy the packing material. Quarantine problems will be reduced if these materials are not used. Acceptable alternatives include metal frames, shredded paper, fibreboard, synthetic foams and plastics and similar materials.

QUARANTINE PROCEDURES FOR CONTAINERS

Containers may be imported into Australia through all major ports. Movement may be permitted from the Brisbane Port to Interport Cargo Services’ Depot for quarantine. The release of FCL containers from the terminal to the consignee’s premises is permitted if: • The exterior is free from contamination by soil or plant material; • The goods, packing and interior of the container are not contaminated with material of animal and plant origin or soil; • Containers with exposed timber components are registered with AQIS; • A packing declaration from the supplier-packer is required to confirm if timber packing has been used. If so, a fumigation treatment certificate from an AQIS approved company must accompany the shipping documentsation. • Shipping documents to the consignee and be presented to AQIS on request. • No straw, rice hulls or similar plant material are used for packing. FCL containers which conform to AQIS requirements for registration, packing and cleanliness and do not contain goods subject to quarantine can be released immediately. FCL containers which contain goods subject to quarantine must go to a break-bulk depot for unpacking and inspection unless prior AQIS clearance has been given. Interport Cargo Services provide a one-stop-shop for your importation needs with our on-site break-bulk depot and approved quarantine fumigation area. For more detailed information on quarantine requirements for FCL containers contact the specialists…Interport Cargo Services. Provided the exterior of the LCL container is free from contamination, all LCL containers entering Australia will go to a quarantine controlled area for unpacking and treatment.

QUARANTINE PROCEDURES FOR AIR CARGO

Containers used by the air transport industry are designed to meet specific airworthiness standards and are usually constructed from metal with no exposed timber. Soil contamination on containers must be cleaned. AQIS will immediately release air cargo containers if the following information is supplied: • Declaration by exporter or consignor that the container is not carrying untreated timber packing or straw; • adequate description of goods to satisfy AQIS that they are not subject to quarantine; and • the container is not contaminated with material of plant or animal origin.