Updates to sanitary certificates for exports from Australia of some inedible animal by-products including petfood, rendered animal by-products, blood products, pharmaceutical and technical products, animal/stock feed and inedible tallow

Australia is replacing the current Export Documentation System (EXDOC) with a system called the Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC). NEXDOC is designed to make Australia’s export documentation system more secure over time and responsive to changes in trade conditions.Australia’s export documentation for some inedible animal by-products including petfood, rendered animal by-products, blood products, pharmaceutical and technical products, animal/stock feed and inedible tallow will soon transition to the NEXDOC platform of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department).This transition builds on previous successful implementations for dairy (May 2021), honey and edible apiculture products (2022), eggs (December 2023), fish and fish products (September 2024), animal wool, skins and hides (November 2024), and Australia’s generic export certificates (May 2025). The department proposes the new export certificates be issued for:Australian exports of inedible animal by-products such as petfood, rendered animal by-products, blood products, pharmaceutical and technical products, animal/stock feed and inedible tallow.This change will commence on 27 October 2025. There will be a transition period where both the old and new certificate templates will be in use to allow for transit time (air and sea freight) to the port of destination.It is important to note that not all inedible animal by-products certificates will transition to NEXDOC on this date. Some certificates may continue to be issued in their current agreed format until they can be transitioned to a NEXDOC certificate. The phased implementation reflects the department’s commitment to maintaining trade while modernising export systems. The planned changes do not affect the agreed conditions or attestations for market access, bilaterally agreed information about the consignment details, or the department’s regulatory controls over exports. However, there are minor changes to grammar, spelling, and the location of some of the information on the certificate. In addition, the new certificates will have unique Quick Response (QR) codes. The QR codes provide consignment specific information that border officials can use to confirm authenticity of the certificate in real-time. To verify the QR code, border officials scan the code through the official’s smart phone camera. Australia reiterates that the transition to the NEXDOC platform on 27 October 2025 will exclude certain export certifications for inedible animal by-products. In this instance, those templates will retain their current format.Australia is allowing a sixty days comment period.