Updated Import Regulations: Asbestos

The importation of asbestos or items containing asbestos is prohibited into Australia and Australian Border Force (ABF) have made recent clarification around their expectations on Asbestos assurances and what those entails.

In a nutshell, an Asbestos Declaration by itself is no longer enough for a broker to declare Zero asbestos in the goods.  Importers are also required to undertake due diligence to ensure all imported goods do not contain any Asbestos.

Responsibility of the Importer:

• Importers must have sufficient knowledge of their goods back to the point of manufacture.

• Importers declaring “no” to asbestos must be certain that neither the product itself nor any ingredients used to make it have asbestos.

• Importers should gather enough information before shipping if they’re unsure whether their goods or any parts (like gaskets) might contain asbestos, or if asbestos was ever involved in the supply chain.

• Asbestos Declarations now hold no value on their own and therefore begin their life prior to signing a Purchase order, ordering the goods and well before Shipping.

Asbestos-free declarations:

If an importation is subject to further ABF assessment for asbestos, a request for assurance will be sent to the importer and the customs broker facilitating the importation.

Declarations of no asbestos content have no value unless supported by valid documentary evidence. A declaration on its own is not considered evidence, whether from:

• The importer

• The manufacturer

• A third-party supplier.

An asbestos-free declaration will not be required if the goods owner has:

• Undertaken adequate supply chain risk-assessment for asbestos

• Collected evidence.

• Informed their customs broker of the risk management activities prior to goods arriving at the border.

Penalties:

A person found unlawfully importing or exporting asbestos, or goods containing asbestos, may be subject to fines or prosecution.

Actions:

Please advise and educate all involved in your supply chains accordingly.

Importers must have sufficient knowledge of their goods back to the point of manufacture.

If the information presented does not provide sufficient assurance, the ABF will require importers to arrange testing and certification in Australia, at their own cost, by a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

For a more comprehensive overview of the clarified requirements around Asbestos, please visit the below ABF link.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/categories/asbestos

Our team at Raitt is here to answer any of your questions regarding the above and will guide you through the process to ensure your goods travel without issue.