On January 10, 2023, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) issued notification G/SPS/N/AUS/558, issuing requirements for phytosanitary certificates from importing countries. The main contents include:

(1) Describes Australia's requirements for the acceptance of paper phytosanitary certificates when importing plant-based products into Australia from 1 May 2023. Clarification is needed as the interim policy was stopped during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and hard (paper) copies of phytosanitary certificates were submitted From 1 May 2023, paper phytosanitary certificates must have all the necessary requirements specified by ISPM12 Information, including signature, date and stamp. This applies to all paper phytosanitary certificates issued on or after 1 May 2023. Australia will not accept paper phytosanitary certificates on or after March 1, 2023, which only provide a QR code and have no signature, date and stamp. E-Phytos or eCerts are not accepted in Australia without prior consent and electronic exchange arrangements;

(2) ISPM 12 compliant paper certificates will continue to be required until Australia negotiates ePhytos or eCerts bilaterally with the Export NPPO. Products covered by the notice include garden fresh produce, plants and other commodities of plant origin, among others.