Moomba - AQIS requirements

As you may or not be aware Australia has extremely strong quarantine entry laws. The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) has personally contacted the Moomba Masters to ensure all athletes entering Australia are aware of AQIS import requirements specific to water sports equipment.

Those athletes who entered Australia in 2007 will be aware of this issue and may be able to advise other athletes they are travelling with. It is NO different to last year, the key is that all equipment must be dry, very dry and not wrapped in wet towels, the newer it is the better. Don’t stress AQIS knows you are coming and aware you are here to compete at the Moomba Masters in Melbourne.

The following statement is from AQIS

You must present to a Quarantine Officer any fishing and fresh water recreational equipment that has been used overseas. These items will require inspection and may be subject to treatments to render them free from Didymo algae. Import conditions for these articles can be found by searching for “Fresh Water Articles and Equipment – Used” on the Import Conditions Database: Import Conditions Database - ICON Query .

Fees will apply for any items requiring treatment and may cause delay to you obtaining your goods. For large items, fees may be in excess of $100 (depending on the size). Treatment may take a few days.

Please find attached a link to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service’s webpage where additional information concerning Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) is provided.

http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/advice_to_travellers_-_didymo  

Date  Thursday 28 Feb 2008