Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), via Import Industry Advice Notice 109-2026, that changes will be made to biosecurity cost recovery arrangements impacting document assessment fees processed through the Client Online Lodgement System (COLS), effective 1 July 2026. DAFF has advised that the amendments are intended to ensure consistent fee recovery across the Integrated Cargo System and COLS, and to reduce delays in the assessment of documentation. - Non-account clients will need to have sufficient funds available for the $42 document assessment fee (via Integrated Cargo System payments or payments made directly in COLS) for COLS to accept document lodgements from 1 July 2026.
- Where a Full Import Declaration (FID) has been lodged in the Integrated Cargo System prior to 1 July 2026 with a minimum payment of $40, and associated documentation is subsequently submitted in COLS after this date, an additional payment will be required to bring the total to $42 (either via COLS payment or a $2 top-up payment in the Integrated Cargo System).
- This will ensure the correct amount is charged at the time the document assessment is performed in the 2026–27 financial year and will reduce delays to lodgements being assessed.
For further information, members are encouraged to refer directly to Import Industry Advice Notice 109-2026 as published by DAFF. Lucy Robinson - Licensed Customs Broker
Head of Border, Biosecurity & Logistics - FTA / APSA
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