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General Guidance for Commercial Importers and Exporters

This section provides some general guidance for commercial importers and exporters.

PDF printable version of General Guidance for Commercial Importers and Exporters (PDF 32 KB)

About this Document

This guidance will assist commercial entities that apply to the Office of Chemical Safety (OCS) for licenses and permits to import and export narcotics, psychotropic substances, drug precursor chemicals and various other drug substances controlled under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations1956 and Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958.

This document is issued as general guidance and does not override any relevant considerations that must be made in accordance with any legislation.

Helping you obtain an import or export permit at the time you need it

When planning your import/export activities you should allow sufficient time for your application to be processed by OCS and for you to receive the documentation through the postal system.

The OCS endeavours to process applications for import/export permits within 30 working days from the date of receipt. While a very high proportion of applications are processed within 10-15 days of this timeframe, there will be times where high workloads may result in slightly longer turnaround times.

Annual import and export licenses (which are also required for many of the drugs controlled under the Customs regulations) may take up to 30 working days to process. The OCS conducts a renewal process for existing importers/exporters in the third quarter of the year. The OCS will notify importers/exporters with existing licenses at the appropriate time. To ensure you have a licence for the next calendar year you should submit your renewal application by the nominated date. As application forms may change from year-to-year, applicants are advised to visit the application forms and guidelines section of this website to ensure they are submitting an up-to-date version.

Licenses and permits are posted by standard mail to the address that you nominate. To reduce postal times you can provide a self-addressed express post envelope that the OCS will use to return documents to you.

It is strongly recommended that you do not enter into any arrangements that may result in controlled drug substances being dispatched to Australia before your application/s has been processed by OCS and you have received the documentation. The importation of drugs controlled under the prohibited import/export regulations is prohibited unless you hold the appropriate authorisations. The OCS cannot “back date” permits to cover an importation date that occurs in the past.

Requests for urgent processing of applications

Unless there are exceptional circumstances the OCS assesses applications in the order that they are received. This is the most equitable and efficient way to administer the permit system.

Exceptional circumstances that may necessitate “urgent” processing of permit requests include emergency medical needs that are contingent on an import/export consignment.

The following would not generally be considered exceptional circumstances necessitating the “urgent” processing of permit applications:

• Shortage of stock that needs to be replaced for commercial reasons
• Unexpected orders placed by customers at short notice
• Arrival of consignments in Australia prior to submitting a permit application

If you have a genuine need for the urgent processing of a permit we encourage you to contact OCS to discuss your situation.

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Tips for making applications

The easiest and most convenient way to obtain an application form, and guidance on how to complete it, is from the application forms and guidelines section of this website.

Make sure your application is on the correct form and that you accurately complete all required information. The OCS cannot amend submitted application forms on your behalf. Applications forms that contain incomplete or incorrect information will be returned to you for amendment, resulting in delays in processing.

Ensure your contact details are up to date. The OCS may need to contact you to discuss and clarify aspects of your application.

To be granted a permit to import a substance in Schedule 4 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 or Schedule 8 of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 you must have notified an intention to import or export the particular substance as part of your annual licence. This notification can be made in your annual licence application/renewal or as a subsequent update. If you have not previously notified an intention to import/export the substance, you should submit an update on the appropriate form when applying for the permit.

For Schedule 4 imports and Schedule 8 exports, make sure the permit application forms are signed by an “authorised person” who is linked to your company’s licence to import or export. Additional authorised persons can be nominated by the primary licence holder using the appropriate form.

The OCS does not issue permits for all drug substances covered by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. Requests for permits to import substances in schedules 7A or 8 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (other than anabolic/androgenic substances and ketamine) should be directed to the Therapeutic Goods Administration or Food Standards Australia New Zealand. The appropriate agency for authorising the import of certain substances that OCS does not have responsibility for is identified in the list of drug substances requiring import and/or export authorisations.

Further information about the import/export of controlled substances can be obtained from:

Drug Import/Export Licensing and Compliance, Office of Chemical Safety

Phone: 02 6289 2686
Email: tmu@health.gov.au
Mail: GPO Box 9848 (MDP 88)
Canberra ACT 2601