The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department) is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exports.

All premises involved in the production of fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the Department. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the Department's Dairy, Eggs and Fish program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.

Exceptions to establishment registration

Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021;

1. liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
2. dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
3. fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
4. fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
5. fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
6. fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;

Note

However, if French Polynesia requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the Department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.

Whole and/or live oyster species susceptible to infection with Bonamia exitiosa sourced from Victoria are not eligible to be exported to French Polynesia.

Susceptible oyster species include Australian mud oyster (Ostrea angasi), Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis), European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and oyster (Ostrea stentina).

Sourcing of fish and fish products

The bivalve molluscans must originate from Australia (and not a third country) which is a country free from infections with Bonamia ostreae and Marteilia refringens. Australian mud oyster (Ostrea angasi), Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis), European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and oyster (Ostrea stentina) must originate from zones or compartments free from infection with Bonamia exitiosa or have been at least partially de-shelled.

Gastropods must originate from Australia (and not a third country), which is a country free from infection with Xenohaliotis californiensis, Haliotis diversicolor (subspecies aquatilis and supertexta), Haliotis laevegata, H. rubra and hybrids of H. laevegata x H. rubraabalones.

Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles

French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles that differ the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​​​French Polynesia has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of fish and fish products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

French Polynesia residue standards

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in French Polynesia or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between French Polynesia and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

• These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the French Polynesia standards and the Australian standards.
• Any detection of a residue above the French Polynesia ​MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.

Note

Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.

French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for operational hygiene that differ from the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for premises construction and equipment that differ from the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

Finfish/ Bivalves/ Cephalopods/ Echinoderms/ Gastropods/ Tunicates

Live oyster species susceptible to infection with Bonamia exitiosa sourced from Victoria are not eligible to be exported to French Polynesia. Susceptible species include Australian mud oyster (Ostrea angasi), Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis), European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and oyster (Ostrea stentina).

French Polynesia has no known specific requirement for the preparation of non-viable fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for the preparation of non-viable Crocodiles that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​​​French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for packaging that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

Prawns

Raw prawns exported to French Polynesia for retail sale are required to include the following statement on the product label:

"Ne pas utiliser comme appât pour la pêche" (Do not use as fishing baits).

​​French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for shelf life that differ from the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for shipping marks that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

French Polynesia has no known specific requirements for Refrigeration, transfer and loadout, that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​​​Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.

The department has no specific knowledge of port-of-entry inspection and testing for imports into French Polynesia. Exporters should check with their importer or agent.

French Polynesia has not developed Import Health Standards for any live fish and fish products exported from Australia. In the absence of Import Health Standards, these goods are not permitted to be imported into French Polynesia.

Finfish

Finfish susceptible to EHN and/or EUS

For finfish susceptible to Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis (EHN) and/or Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS), use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition with endorsement 4576.

For information on susceptible species, please refer to Diseases of finfish.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Endorsement 4576 – Susceptible to EHN and/or EUS

The above products originate from Australia which is a country free from koi herpesvirus, red sea bream iridoviral disease and spring viraemia of carp;

Redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and any other susceptible species for epizootic haematopoietic necrosis, infection with Aphanomyces invadans referred to in the Aquatic Manual other than fillets or steaks;

• either have been heat sterilised hermetically sealed (i.e. a heat treatment at 121°C for at least 3.6 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent);
• either have been pasteurised fish products that have been subjected to heat treatment at 90°C for ten minutes (or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate EHNV);
• either have been mechanically dried eviscerated (i.e. a heat treatment at 100°C for at least 30 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate EHNV).

Finfish not susceptible to EHN and/or EUS

For finfish not susceptible to Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis (EHN) and/or Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS), use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition with endorsement 4575.

For information on susceptible species, please refer to Diseases of finfish.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Endorsement 4575 – Not susceptible to EHN and/or EUS

The above products:

1. originate from Australia which is a country monitored under an official fish surveillance programme implemented in accordance with the procedures described in the Aquatic Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health
2. originate from Australia, which is a country free from Gyrodactylosis, Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis, Infectious Salmon Anaemia, Koi Herpes Virus, Red Sea Bream Iridoviral Disease, Spring Viraemia of Carp and Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
3. have not been harvested in emergency situations because of the suspected or confirmed presence of a communicable disease.

Bivalves

For bivalves, use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition with endorsement 4577.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Endorsement 4577 – Bivalve Molluscs

The above bivalve molluscans originate from Australia which is a country free from infections with Bonamia ostreae and Marteilia refringens.

Australian mud oyster (Ostrea angasi), Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis), European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and oyster (Ostrea stentina) originate from zones or compartments free from infection with Bonamia exitiosa or have been at least partially de-shelled.

The animals originate from a harvest area approved by the competent authority and subjected to an official shellfish monitoring program.

Exports may only occur from harvest areas and production establishments approved by the competent authority.​

Crustaceans

Prawns

For prawns, use an FX46 Certificate as to condition with endorsement 4578.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Additional endorsement 4578 - Prawns

The above shrimps and/or prawns have been:

1. deheaded, peeled (except for the last segment of the carapace and telson), processed (breaded or marinated or prepared as dim sum, spring rolls, samosas or other types of finger food) and packaged for retail sale or;
2. cooked, pasteurised or sterilised in accordance with the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code.

Crustaceans excluding prawns

For crustaceans, excluding prawns, use an FX46 Certificate as to condition with endorsement 4579.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are:

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Additional endorsement 4579 - Crustaceans excluding prawns

The above products:

1. originate from Australia which is a country monitored under an official crustacean surveillance programme implemented in accordance with the procedures described in the Aquatic Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health;
2. originate from Australia which is a country free from Taura syndrome, white spot disease, yellowhead disease and necrotising hepatopancreatitis; and
3. have not been harvested in emergency situations because of the suspected or confirmed presence of a communicable disease.

Echinoderms

For echinoderms, use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Gastropods

For gastropods, use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Additional endorsement 5207 - Gastropods

The above products originate from Australia which is a country free from infection with Xenohaliotis californiensis.

Haliotis diversicolor (subspecies aquatilis and supertexta), Haliotis laevegata, H. rubra and hybrids of H. laevegata x H. rubraabalones have been:

• either heat sterilised hermetically sealed (i.e. a heat treatment at 121˚C for at least 3.6 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent);
• either mechanically dried (i.e. a heat treatment at 100˚C for at least 30 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate AbHV).

Cephalopods

For cephalopods, use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition.

For cephalopods, use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition.

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Tunicates

For tunicates, use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

For crocodile meat, use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition with endorsement 4641.

The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Endorsement 4641 - Crocodile

The above products have been eviscerated prior to export.

The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.

Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the Department's non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.

The Department has no knowledge of prohibited products. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to French Polynesia.