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Importers

Importing

Determine whether your import requires an import permit and save time obtaining your permit by reviewing specific import requirements for common items.

Step One: Read the general requirements

Animals and animal products

An import permit is not required for commercially-produced packets of processed food products with ingredients of animal origin, labelled as having been produced in Australia or New Zealand.

  • Tinned foods
  • Seafood
  • Pet food (canned meat or biscuits)
  • Biscuits, cakes, pastry, noodles (cooked, with egg or honey ingredients)
  • Processed dairy products (butter, cheese, cream, ice-cream, infant food, pasteurized/UHT milk)
  • Egg (cooked – non fertile in hermetically sealed containers)
  • Health Foods containing bee products, including bee venom, pollen, propolis, royal jelly (must be processed and prepared as encapsulated doses such as tablets or capsules).
  • Processed beeswax (candles, cosmetics, foundation, ornaments, polishes)
  • Feathers (new dusters, hats, lures, bleached, curled or waved)
  • Furs (manufactured)
  • Leather (new and fully manufactured)
  • Saddles and saddle harnesses (new)
  • Wool (processed)
     

An import permit is required for all animals and animal products, including those listed above, from all other countries.

General requirements for all animal and animal product imports:

1. Permission to Import

Applications for a permit to import an animal or animal product are to be submitted on the official form well before the planned export of the animal or animal product.  Where a single entry permit is issued, the original copy of the import permit must be presented at the time of importation to obtain release of the consignment. Should the disease status of an exporting country change after an import permit has been issued Biosecurity Solomon Islands reserves the right to withdraw the permit or to vary the permit conditions at their discretion without prior notice.

Application Forms

2. Notification

The arrival date and mode of transportation are to be included in the permit application. In the case of live animals their arrival to be notified to Biosecurity Solomon Islands at least 48 hours prior to arrival, and no later than one working weekday before embarkation of the animals.

3. Transportation of Animals

Animals must be transported in a secure suitable container in accordance with the recommendations for the transport of live animals of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) live animals regulations as appropriate.

All feed or fodder accompanying the animals must comply with the import conditions of Solomon Islands for plant or animal products, if not then any surplus will remain on board the vessel or aircraft, or be destroyed at the owner’s expense upon arrival at the Port of Entry.

Any bedding should comprise only of sterile peat, soft board, treated wood shavings, shredded paper or other inert approved products.  All bedding material should remain on board the vessel or aircraft, or be destroyed by incineration at the owner’s expense upon arrival in Solomon Islands.

Animals are transported entirely at the risk of the importer and Biosecurity Solomon Islands holds no responsibility for the care or safety of animals during transport.

4. Documentation

The following documentation is required to accompany imports of animals and high risk animal products:

  1. A valid Import Permit is required: 
    1. For single importations of animals and animal products the Permit is to be presented at the time of importation. 
    2. For multiple importations under one Permit then a copy of the Permit may be presented at the time of importation.
  2. A Statutory Declaration by the owner or agent is required to accompany live animal imports, stating:
    1. A full description of the animal;
    2. That to the best of his/her knowledge the animal is free from all infectious and contagious diseases;
    3. That the animal has not been in contact with any diseased animals for the 30 days immediately prior to embarkation.
  3. An official Animal Health Certificate is required to accompany all imports of live animals and animal products.

The certificate must be signed by a Government Veterinary Officer of the exporting country attesting to the certification assurances required in the specific schedules for animals or animal products.

In some cases an Approved Veterinarian, approved by the veterinary authorities in the exporting country, may provide certification of pre-export treatments and health examinations.

5.    Post Arrival Procedures

On arrival in Solomon Islands all consignments of animals and animal products must be presented to a Biosecurity Officer for validation of any required documentation. In particular all live animals (except dogs and cats from Australia or New Zealand) must be inspected by veterinary officer approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock prior to release from the port of entry. All costs are to be borne by the importer.

Biosecurity Solomon Islands has the right to inspect, examine, sample, test, detain, quarantine and treat any consignments of animals to ensure they comply with Solomon Islands import requirements. Any non-compliant consignments of animals may be destroyed or re-exported. All costs associated with these actions are to be borne by the importer. Biosecurity Solomon Islands holds no responsibility for any losses incurred by the importer, owner or agent.

6. Post Entry Quarantine Requirements

Where animals are required to undergo a period of post entry quarantine, they must remain within the confines of an approved post entry quarantine facility for the full period of quarantine and will only be released at the discretion of by a veterinary officer approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The post-entry facility must meet the following general requirements:

(i) The facilities must be inspected and approved by an officer authorised by the Director of Biosecurity before a permit for importation is issued, and:

  • Be sufficiently secure to contain the quarantined animals.
  • Contain adequate handling facilities for animals
  • Maintain adequate separation from other animals.
  • Have adequate containment of drainage and animal waste.
  • Have adequate provision for feed and water.

7.    Fees

A permit fee and an inspection fee will be charged in accordance with the current schedule of BSI fees and charges for Biosecurity Solomon Islands. Any and all costs or fees associated with ensuring consignments comply with import requirements are to be borne directly by the importer. Biosecurity Solomon Islands holds no responsibility for any losses incurred by the importer, owner or agent. 

Plants and plant products

An import permit and accompanying phytosanitary certificate is not required for certain commercially packaged and labelled plant products from any country.

  • Cooked fruit and vegetables
  • Pickled fruit and vegetables
  • Cooked plant products
  • Preserved fruit and vegetables
  • Fried plant products
  • Processed nuts (in their final processed form, i.e. shelled or hulled)
  • Freeze dried plant products
  • Spices
  • Frozen fruit and vegetables
     

An import permit is not required for vegetable seeds for sowing (except maize, sweetcorn) in consignments of less than 250gm from certain suppliers in certain countries so long as certain requirements have been met.

View the list of Approved vegetable seed suppliers.
 

An import permit is not required for certain timber products from all countries so long as certain requirements have been met.

  • Wood charcoal (including shell or nut charcoal)
  • Wood wool; wood flour.
  • Sheets for veneering less than 6mm thick
  • Wood (including strips and friezes for parquet flooring, etc.
  • Particle board, oriented strand board (OSB) and similar board
  • Fibreboard of wood.
  • Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood.
  • Densified wood, in blocks, plates, strips or profile shapes.
  • Wooden frames for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects.
  • Packing cases, pallets, boxes, crates, drums and similar packing with ISPM 15 certification.
  • Casks, barrels, vats, tubs assembled and full.
  • Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush bodies and handles, of wood
  • Tableware and kitchenware, of wood.
  • Wood marquetry and inlaid wood; caskets and cases etc.

Requirements:

  • Inspection on arrival, treat if required
  • Must be free of pests, soil and foreign matter
     

An import permit is not required for certain miscellaneous products from all countries so long as certain requirements have been met.

  • Artifacts
  • Basketware
  • Caneware

Requirements for small hand-carried consignments:

  • Must be clean, free of pests, soil and foreign matter
  • Inspection on arrival with treatment if required

Requirements for commercial consignments:

  • Pre-shipment fumigation with MB at 48g/m3 for 16 hours at 21oC.
  • Phytosanitary certificate confirming fumigation
  • Inspection on arrival to confirm effective fumigation.
     

An import permit is required for all plant and plant products not referenced above.

General requirements apply to all plant and plant product imports:

1. Permission to import

An Import Permit is required. Applications are to be submitted on the official form. The original copy of the permit must be presented to obtain release of the consignment.

Application Forms

2. Documentation

A Phytosanitary Certificate (PC), issued by the National Plant Protection Authority in the country of origin, must accompany all consignments, certifying the produce to be free of pests and diseases. The certificate must also include any additional declarations specified on the Import Permit.

Where a consignment has been transhipped to the Solomon Islands via another country, a “Re-export Certificate” shall accompany that consignment. The re-export certificate shall be issued by the National Plant Protection Authority at the port of re-export and clearly identify the consignment (i.e. exporter, consignee, description of product, number of packages, distinguishing marks, place of origin, means of conveyance, point of entry into country). The certificate shall certify that the consignment in question has been transported and handled in such a manner as to prevent the possibility of pest infestation and product substitution during transit.

3. Pre-shipping procedures

  • Shipments must be free of soil and/or debris and be packed in new packages.
  • Leafy vegetables must be free of roots, and non-leafy vegetables must be free of foliage.
  • Consignments are subject to inspection on arrival and any treatment necessary.

 

Machinery, Equipment & Transport

Included here are:

  • Earthmoving machinery
  • Logging equipment
  • Mining equipment
  • Agriculture equipment
  • Used or second hand vehicles
  • New vehicles
  • Sporting equipment
  • Camping equipment
  • Military equipment

Any of the above will be inspected on arrival and must be found free of soil, any plant material and any other biosecurity risk material. You are recommended to clean your equipment before they depart from the exporting country. Government or accredited agent certificates of cleanliness are welcome and may reduce the requirement for inspection on arrival.

 

Step Two: Find any specific requirements

Many animals, plants, and animal or plant products have specific import requirements additional to the general requirements listed above. Use the search filter here to find any specific requirements for your import.* Also review the definitions of plant and animal technical terms.

SearchReset
Citrus Canker*
BSI Editor
/ Categories: New Pests & Diseases

Citrus Canker*

Citrus canker was first detected on west Guadalcanal in 2010 and since then delimiting surveys have established it is only present on Guadalcanal west of the capital Honiara.

Elsewhere it is found in Asia, South America, Africa, Oceania (Fiji). There are four strains with different distributions. Australia and New Zealand are free of the disease.

Hosts

Citrus species, including grapefruit, kumquat, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, pomelo and tangerine, as well as other genera in the citrus family (Rutaceae), e.g., Fortunella and Poncirus.

Symptoms & Life Cycle

Bacterial canker causes leaves to fall early, and fruit to drop before it is mature. Fruits with canker infections are unsightly and cannot be sold. It is particularly serious on grapefruit, lemon, limes and oranges.

 Brown raised spots - described as craters, pustules or blisters - occur on the surrounded by yellow margins. The spots are up to 10 mm diam., depending on time of infection and variety. They occur on both sides of the leaves. The centres of older spots fall out. Similar spots occur on the leaf stalks and twigs and these develop into cankers, causing stem or branch dieback. The spots on the fruit do not have yellow margins.

The disease is common in countries where it is hot with high rainfall. Infection occurs on young leaf flushes, stems and fruits, then declines as fewer new leaves are formed and fruits mature.

Short-distance spread occurs when water flows over the spots; bacteria ooze out of the spots and are spread by wind-driven rain and water-splash. They enter the leaves through natural openings, helped by winds of more than 30 kph, and wounds, especially those made by leafminers. Pruning can also cause wounds which are entry points for bacteria.

Spread over long distances occurs during cyclones and on nursery plants. Strong winds not only spread the bacteria, but also damage the trees and force the bacteria into natural openings and wounds. Spread can also occur on tools and other farm equipment; and it is also spread on people, birds and insects.

The bacteria survive in the raised spots on leaves and fruit until they fall, and then for a few months in leaf litter in the soil. They also survive on weeds, some of which are infected.

The spots or blisters can be confused with citrus scab, a disease caused by a fungus. However, leaves infected by citrus canker are not misshapen.

Impact

Bacterial canker is the most important disease of the citrus. It is of great concern to countries that have citrus industries that are yet free from the disease. Major citrus-growing countries, Australia, Brazil, and the USA, have all had incursions of the disease, some more than once, which have been extremely costly in efforts to eradicate. Some attempts have been successful, others not. The attempt to eradicate the 1995 introduction of the disease to Florida failed and was called off in 2006. Australia has been more fortunate and Queensland was declared free from the disease in 2009 after the destruction of large numbers of citrus of all kinds - commercial and backyard. 

Detection & Inspection

Look for the raised spots, light brown at first, gradually darkening and forming a crater, on leaves, stems and fruit. Hold the leaves to the light, and look for a water-soaked margin to the spot, surrounded by a bright yellow ring. Check that the leaves are not distorted or misshapen.

Management

Quarantine

Canker is a disease of quarantine importance: countries free from the disease regulate the importation of citrus propagating material and fruit from those that have it.

If countries wish to import citrus germplasm, it should be under strict conditions following the FAO/IBPGR Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Citrus Germplasm. Note, more advanced techniques using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) are now part of indexing procedures.

Cultural Control

There are a number of ways to reduce infection of canker where the disease is endemic, i.e., where it is well established and outbreaks occur regularly.

Canker-free nurseries. This is an important part of the management of the disease. It is best to avoid overhead irrigation.

Do not work in infected orchards when the foliage is wet from dew or rain.

Windbreaks. Plant trees around blocks and/or between rows of large citrus plantations. A 10 m tall windbreak is effective for about 100 m. The distance between windbreaks depends on the susceptibility of the variety.

Resistant Varieties

Grapefruit, Mexican lime and trifoliate orange are highly susceptible to canker. Sour orange, sweet orange, lemon and lime are moderately susceptible, and mandarin moderately resistant. Preference should be given to Valencia orange and mandarin.

Chemical Control

Copper fungicides are effective in preventing fruit infection, but less so for leaf infection because leaves rapidly expand, exposing surfaces without copper protection. Apply two or three sprays 3 weeks apart, beginning when the fruits are about 5 mm diameter. The important time is 90 days after petal fall, when fruits are most susceptible.

Where leafminers are a problem, use a petroleum oil on flushes of foliage. Leafminers do not spread canker, but damage the leaf increasing the number of infections.

* This fact sheet is extracted from the mobile app Pacific Pests and Pathogens available on iOS and Android. Written by Grahame Jackson with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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* These are sample documents that provide an indication of the requirements your import must meet. You will receive the latest documents from us when you make your application. If you cannot find requirements for your proposed import and wish to investigate development of new ones, please contact us.

 
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