-Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to advise that the department will be commencing a trial of the electronic Imported Food Inspection Report (eIFIR) for activities under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.

-Who does this notice affect?

This notice is of interest to food importers, agents of food importers, customs brokers and Appointed Analysts. This relates to the Imported Food Inspection Scheme only and does not change any current biosecurity clearance processes.

-Background

Authorised officers in the Imported Food Inspection Scheme currently complete a hand-written Imported Food Inspection Report (IFIR) at the time of inspection. A copy of the hand-written IFIR is provided to the importer or agent that is present at the time of inspection. A copy of the IFIR is placed in a sample bag when analytical testing is required to advise the Appointed Analyst what tests are required.

Electronic Imported Food Inspection Report (eIFIR)

This is a new document that will soon be isssued at the time of inspection by an authorised officer when samples are required for analytical testing. This will replace the current hand written IFIR.

Imported Food Inspection Advice

Isssued after inspection by an authorised officer to advise if goods have passed or failed and if any further action is required.

-What has changed?

The department’s system has been enhanced to issue inspection information to cleints via an electronic Imported Food Inspection Report (eIFIR). An eIFIR will be emailed to clients similar to how a Food Control Certifcate or a biosecurity direction is currently delivered by email. A trial of the eIFIR will commence in February 2017 for some inspections conducted in Melbourne.

-What will happen at the time of inspection during the trial in Melbourne?

Where the inspection is for labelling, visual or composition purposes only and does not require samples for analytical testing, details of that inspection will be recorded in the department’s system and an eIFIR will not be issued at the time of inspection. Clients will receive an Imported Food Inspection Advice as the outcome of the inspection will be a Pass or Fail.

An eIFIR will only be issued when samples are required for analytical testing by an Appointed Analyst.

On occasion a hand-written IFIR will be issued if the authorised officer is unable to access the department’s system using their mobile device. Normal charges will apply.

Below are inspection scenarios and what will be issued or recorded by the authorised officer:

Inspection scenario : Label, visual or composition only

eIFIR issued : No

Inspection details recorded in department’s system : Yes

YImported Food Inspection Advice issued : Yes. This will advise if goods pass or fail and if further action is required

Inspection scenario : Samples are required for analytical testing

eIFIR issued : Yes

Inspection details recorded in department’s system : Yes

Imported Food Inspection Advice issued : No. This will be issued when the test results have been assessed

Inspection scenario : Supervised Re-export

eIFIR issued : No

Inspection details recorded in department’s system : Yes

Imported Food Inspection Advice issued : No

Inspection scenario : All other inspection scenarios (supervised destruction or re-export, apply hold tape etc)

eIFIR issued : No

Inspection details recorded in department’s system : Yes

Imported Food Inspection Advice issued : No

-What do I need to do – food importers, agents of food importers and customs brokers?

Familiarise yourself with the sample eIFIR included in this notice.

Where sample testing is required an eIFIR will be issued to the email address(es) recorded in the department’s system that currently receive Food Control Certificates and Imported Food Inspection Advices. You can request the authorised officer to include additional email addresses at the time of inspection.

A copy of the eIFIR will also be sent to the Appointed Analyst that has been nominated to conduct the analytical testing.

-What do I need to do – Appointed Analysts?

Familiarise yourself with the sample eIFIR included in this notice.

The department has recently collected the email address(es) that you nominated to receive eIFIRs. Please advise the department if this email address changes. Samples will be available for collection from the address specified in the ‘Sample Collection’ field on the eIFIR 24 hours after receipt of an eiFIR.

Provide your courier with a copy of the eIFIR or the ‘Bar Code’ number on the eIFIR and the courier can provide this to the depaertment’s regional office staff when collecting samples.

-Subscribe for updates

To receive updates when changes are made to imported food testing requirements, subscribe to Imported Food.
screenshot of electronic imported food inspection report

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/notices/ifn-02-17