According to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) on December 3, 2024, on the same day, DAFF issued Circular No. 286 of 2024, which proposes to impose a fee on post-inspection management activities for imported food samples in storage. The main contents of the notification include:

(1) Affected recipients. Industry stakeholders, including commercial importers and brokers who import imported food subject to analytical testing under the imported Food Control Act 1992;

(2) The Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) conducted a cost recovery review of imported food sample management activities. The results of the review indicated that the department was not meeting its legislative cost recovery obligations because the time spent on in-office post-testing administration activities for imported food samples under the imported Food Control Act 1992 was not being charged for diagnostic services completed by third-party appointed analysts. In order to meet the legislative cost recovery obligation, the department will begin charging fees for in-office post-inspection administration activities for imported food samples under the following circumstances, beginning February 3, 2025, all cost-reimbursable in-office sample administration activities will be charged a service fee in accordance with the imported Foods Regulations, 2019, at a rate of $39 for each 15-minute period (the portion of time spent in a 15-minute period that is less than 15 minutes). The charge will not be applied retroactively and will not affect domestic farmers and producers.

For more details see: http://chinawto.mofcom.gov.cn/article/jsbl/zcfg/202412/20241203548656.shtml