G/LIC/Q/AUS/2  
 
21 March 2013  
(13-1568)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLES OF THE AGREEMENT ON  
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES FROM AUSTRALIA1 
RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION2 TO AUSTRALIA  
REGARDING ANIMAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS, AND MOTOR VEHICLES 
 
 The following communication, dated 18 March 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Australia. 
 
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Following Australia’s Import Licensing notification (G/LIC/N/3/AUS/5 dated 28 September 2012), we have the following questions: 
 
I. Animals (Including Birds, Fish and Inse cts) and Animal Products, Plants and 
Goods of General Quarantine Concern 
 
Paragraph 6(d), explaining the procedures for applications for permission to import most animals, animal products, plants and plant products, makes reference to the quarantine conditions being outlined in the ICON database.  For a number of  products (e.g. dairy and pig meat) the ICON 
database either does not provide the detailed conditions or the inquiring exporter is confronted with 
the message "The import permit will specify the certification and documentation requirements". It is known that a new system is being developed, known as Biological Import Conditions (BICON). 
Can an assurance be given that BICON correct the deficiencies in transparency of ICON and provide 
the full import conditions and health certificate requirements, without an importer having to apply for an import permit? 
 
Response : 
 The Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) Database is expected to provide a general indication of 
likely permit conditions for some goods subject to an import permit.  It is also expected to provide 
full import conditions for some lower risk goods that remain subject to the requirement for an import permit but for which generic conditions have been established. 
 
BICON will not provide full import conditions and health certification requirements for higher risk goods where an import permit is required and the circumstances of individual importation requests 
require assessment to determine the import conditions. 
 Having said this, BICON is expected to have increased search functionality. The commodity cases are being authored in such a way that the enquir er is expected, by responding to a series of 
questions, to be able to drill down to discover the many possible scenarios associated with a 
proposed importation. This may include full details of certification and documentation requirements where these details are known. It is also expected to include access to the assessment process 
and to the on-shore processes which include treatment if required. 
 
                                               
1 See Understanding on procedures for th e Review of Notifications (G/LIC/4). 
2 See G/LIC/Q/AUS/1. G/LIC/Q/AUS/2 
 
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  XVIII.  Motor Vehicles 
 
1. Paragraph 4 states that "the importation of standard vehicles is not restricted in quantity or 
value" while the Department of Transport website 
(http://www.infrastructure.g ov.au/vehicles/imports/ ) states "The importation of vehicles 
to Australia is prohibited except in very specific circumstances". 
 
2. It appears that vehicles can only be imported by manufacturers using identification plate 
approval, through the Registered Automotive  Workshop Scheme for a limited range of 
used vehicles and by individuals for their own vehicles.   
 
3. Can an assurance be given that the importation of used vehicles that meet relevant ADRs is 
not restricted and explain how such vehicles could be imported under commercial quantities?  
 
Response:  
Australia does not prohibit the importation of motor vehicles. In 2011, imported vehicles 
comprised 80 per cent of retail sales of passenger motor vehicles.  The Australian Government, through the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, administers 
the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act) which applies national standards (Australian 
Design Rules (ADRs)) for all new road vehicles, whether they are manufactured in Australia or 
imported.  In practical terms, these standards deliver levels of vehicle safety and environmental 
performance that are generally expected by the Australian community. 
 
1. A standard vehicle is a new vehicle that complies with the Australian national vehicle 
standards (the ADRs). Standard vehicles are required to be fitted with identification plates 
in accordance with ADR 61 (Vehicle Marking) an d in accordance with an Identification Plate 
Approval. An Identification Plate Approval is equivalent to a European Whole Vehicle Type Approval. An Identification Plate is Australia’s equivalent to a European Certificate of 
Conformity. Standard vehicles are not restricted in quantity or value. 
 
2. The importation of new and used vehicles that do not meet relevant ADRs is restricted and 
subject to controls to ensure that Australian safety and environmental standards are not 
compromised.   
3. Under the Act and the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989 (the Regulations), several 
concessional arrangements exist to allow the importation of used vehicles that may not meet all of the ADRs.  These schemes are outlined on the Department’s website at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicl es/imports/import_ options/index.aspx .  
 
The Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS) is one such scheme that allows for the importation of used vehicles in commercial quantities.  It is possible to import used vehicles under 
RAWS arrangements where they are of a type that has been entered onto the register of Specialist 
and Enthusiast Vehicles. Vehicles imported under RAWS arrangements must be compliant with the ADRs that applied at the date of manufacture. If necessary, a RAW may be able to modify the 
vehicle so that it complies with the required ADRs. It is also possible to import used vehicles that 
have identification plates originally fitted under an identification plate approval.    These concessional arrangements are similar to the arrangements in place in European countries 
for used vehicle imports, for example the arrangements described by the UK Government at 
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/other/importi ng-a-vehicle-common-questions.asp .  
 
 
 
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