AQIS Inspection Support Services

The term AQIS inspection is still commonly used in the freight and import industries to describe Australian quarantine or biosecurity inspections of imported goods.

AQIS, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, is no longer the current agency name. Imported cargo biosecurity requirements are now administered by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Some imported goods can be cleared through documentation, while others may be directed for physical inspection depending on the goods, origin and applicable import conditions.

For current information, see the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry clearance and inspection guidance.

IE Logistics provides transport and logistics support surrounding the inspection process.

Official biosecurity inspection requirements and directions are administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. IEL can assist freight brokers and freight forwarders with suitable transport movements associated with the inspection, including moving freight to the appropriate location where permitted and coordinating onward transport once release requirements have been satisfied.

The inspection location depends on the type of cargo and the biosecurity direction applying to the goods.

Imported goods and containers may be inspected on arrival at the first Australian seaport or airport, or at an Approved Arrangement site authorised for the relevant biosecurity activities.

Freight brokers and forwarders should follow the direction issued for the specific consignment rather than assuming freight can be taken to any inspection location.

Further information is available from the Australian Government Approved Arrangements information.

Where the applicable biosecurity direction allows the freight to be moved to an Approved Arrangement site, IE Logistics can assist with suitable transport requirements.

Our team can work with the freight broker or freight forwarder to coordinate the collection location, approved destination, equipment requirements and timing around the inspection appointment.

Transport remains subject to the direction applying to the goods and any relevant biosecurity controls.

Approved Arrangements are agreements between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and biosecurity industry participants that allow specified biosecurity activities to be carried out at approved facilities.

Different Approved Arrangement classes cover different activities, including the handling, storage, inspection, examination or treatment of particular cargo and containers.

The department provides an Approved Arrangement search tool for identifying participating sites and their approved activities.

Imported cargo requiring inspection generally needs an inspection appointment.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry provides the Biosecurity Portal for eligible brokers, importers, freight forwarders and Approved Arrangement participants to request and manage many inspection bookings.

The appropriate booking process depends on the inspection type and direction issued for the goods.

Visit the Australian Government Biosecurity Portal for current inspection booking information.

Providing complete information helps our team assess the transport movement and coordinate suitable equipment.

Where available, provide:

• Container or consignment details relevant to the transport movement.
• Collection location including terminal, depot or facility information.
• Inspection destination or Approved Arrangement site identified for the goods.
• Biosecurity direction details relevant to where and how the freight may be moved.
• Inspection date and appointment time where already confirmed.
• Container size and approximate weight for containerised freight.
• Onward delivery requirements once the goods have been released.

Our team can then assess the appropriate vehicle and transport arrangements for the movement.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry may issue further directions depending on the inspection outcome.

The required next step may vary according to the goods and identified biosecurity risk. Freight should only be moved in accordance with the applicable direction.

Where additional transport is required and permitted, IEL can work with the freight broker or freight forwarder to coordinate the next suitable movement.

In some circumstances, an importer may apply to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for an inspection to occur at a non-Approved Arrangement site.

These requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis and approval is not automatic.

For current requirements, refer to the Department’s guidance for inspections at non-Approved Arrangement sites.

Yes. Freight brokers and freight forwarders are a core market for IE Logistics.

Our role is to support the transport component around the wider import process. Where freight has been directed for biosecurity inspection, we can work with your team around collection, equipment, inspection location, timing and onward delivery requirements.

This gives freight professionals access to an experienced transport provider without adding another layer of unnecessary coordination.

Yes. Once the freight has been released and is permitted to continue, IEL can assist with suitable onward transport requirements.

Depending on the freight, this may involve container transport, freight transport or movement to another warehouse or delivery location.

Using the same transport provider across the inspection-related movement and subsequent delivery can help simplify coordination for freight brokers and freight forwarders.

Provide IE Logistics with the collection location, inspection destination, container or freight details, approximate weight, appointment timing and any available biosecurity direction information relevant to the movement.

Our team can review the transport requirements and determine the most suitable equipment and scheduling approach.

Discuss your inspection transport requirements.

Our team can review the transport requirements and determine the most suitable equipment and scheduling approach.