MAA 2024 – 20: People's Republic of China: Live rock lobster trade restored

Date of issue: 20 December 2024

Date of effect: 20 December 2024

Reference Number: MAA 2024-20

Attention

•    Industry bodies: Seafood Export Consultative Committee,  Seafood Industry Australia
•    Seafood Export Establishments
•    Exporters, Automated Export Permit Issuers (AEPI), and NEXDOC users
•    Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices  
 

Purpose

This Market Access Advice (MAA) is to provide notification that the export of the following products to the People's Republic of China can recommence from 20 December 2024 subject to possession of a valid import permit:

Live product by category code

Exports of ornate rock lobster (ORL, Panulirus ornatus) and tropical rock lobster (TRL, Panulirus spp. except p.cygnus) is not possible at this time. All imports of 'wild caught' ornate and tropical rock into China, including from Australia, are prohibited.

Prohibited live product by category code

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has been formally notified by the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) that the issuance of import permits for Australian live rock lobster will recommence from 20 December 2024.

Exporters are encouraged to review details related to establishment listings and certification (outlined below) before recommencing exports. Additionally, it is essential that exporters work closely with their importers to ensure a smooth recommencement of trade.

Export registered establishment listing

• Establishments must be Export Registered with the department for fish and fish products to prepare live rock lobster consignments.
• Export registered establishments must also be listed with Chinese authorities. Please refer to MAA 2024-19 for further details on the listing process for further advice.
• All establishments should check the published edible aquatic product export enterprise list on the Chinese Quarantine Registration List of Overseas Animals and Plants to confirm their listing with China.
• Any establishment not listed, or with an incorrect listing must contact the department's Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au before commencing exports.
• Please note that the published edible aquatic product export enterprise list is separate from China's Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system. A listing in CIFER is only applicable for registered establishments exporting non-viable seafood products to China. If an establishment is exporting both live and non-viable seafood products, it must appear on both lists prior to export.
• For further details, visit the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR).

Certification

• From Monday 30 September 2024, the Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC) system replaced the Export Documentation (EXDOC) system for seafood certification. Please see IAN 2024-11: NEXDOC – Fish and Fish Products Moving to NEXDOC for further information.
• Exporters must be registered in NEXDOC to submit a request for export (REX) and obtain the required China health certificates.
• If you have any NEXDOC system-related queries, please contact NEXDOC@aff.gov.au.
  The department encourages all exporters to work with their Chinese importers to ensure that the product meets the current importing country requirements. If you encounter any issues at the border related to live rock lobster exports, please contact the department at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.

When contacting the department, exporters will need to provide the following information:

• REX or health certificate number
• import permit number and issue date
• name of the port the shipment is being held.

Further information

The department recommends users of Micor to subscribe to the Micor update service for a commodity-specific email that lists changes that have been made in the preceding week.

If you have any queries contact dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au or ExportStandards@aff.gov.au.

For urgent matters, contact the department's Export and Veterinary Services Division, Shayne Daniels P: 0417 460 944 or Anna Somerville P: 0466 471 679.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.