ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) issues Import Permit Releases for the importation into Australia of medical and non-medical radioactive substances.These permits are issued under Regulation 4R of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. In order to obtain release, the importing party is required to present to the Australian Customs Service a valid ARPANSA Import Permit Release with the original signature of an authorised ARPANSA officer. These notes are to assist those who intend to import radioactive substances into Australia and cover general requirements for importing radioactive substances for NON-MEDICAL use.

STEP ONE

The Applicant must complete ARPANSA RB-IP-FORM-1 (PDF 80kb) Application for Customs Prohibited Import Release for Non-Medical Radioactive Substances (for a single shipment), or  ARPANSA RB-IP-FORM-12 (PDF 96kb) (for a 12 month permit). Note only certain categories of radioactive substance may be eligible for 12 month permits.

The Applicant stated on the permit application must:

1. be the Consignee of the goods
2. be the stated Licensee
3. be suitably licensed with the appropriate Regulatory Authority
4. place an original signature on the Import Release Permit, in blue ink
5. complete all sections and answer all questions

STEP TWO (including FEES)

The Payment of Invoices web page has information about how to pay fees.

The Applicant must submit the original completed permit application to ARPANSA’s Sydney Office. Each permit application must be accompanied by a cheque payable Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency or ARPANSA.

1. The fees charged for processing single shipment permit applications are:

1. $130.00 for standard processing. Allow five working days for approval.
2. $215.00 for urgent processing requiring direct request to Customs from ARPANSA for immediate release (these applications should be faxed to ARPANSA).

2. The fee charged for processing a 12 month permit application is $1500.00

Note: If an amendment is made to an approved Import Permit Release for a single shipment which requires notification to Customs, a new full fee will be required.

STEP THREE

An approved Import Permit Release will be returned by mail to the nominated address, either the Applicant or the Customs Agent for standard processing.

In the case of urgent processing an approved Import Permit Release will be emailed to Customs and an information copy will be forwarded to the nominated addressee by email or express post.

Notes

1. The onus is on the Applicant to ensure that Import Permit Releases are processed by ARPANSA before the goods arrive at Customs.
2. Original Import Permit Releases must be produced for standard processing. Faxed or photocopied Import Permit Releases will not be accepted by Customs.
3. An Import Permit Release is required for each shipment of radioactive substances and is valid for a period of six months.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Applications for Customs Prohibited Import Release for Non-Medical Radioactive Substances are processed at the Sydney office of ARPANSA. Enquiries regarding the processing of these permits should be directed to the Regulatory Branch in Sydney.

Contact

Import Permits Officer
P.O. Box 655
Miranda NSW 1490
Phone: 61 2 9541 8340
Fax: 61 2 9541 8324

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