Apply for annual export authorisation - Rotterdam Convention
Australia is committed to controlling the trade of certain industrial chemicals that are toxic to human health and the environment. If you wish to export certain chemicals covered under the Rotterdam Convention, you must apply and pay a fee.
Who must apply
Anyone seeking to export certain banned or severely restricted chemicals subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure of the Rotterdam Convention must apply and receive authorisation.
Note: Exporters are responsible for staying informed about the status of Annex III-listed or restricted chemicals and any related import responses. These are published in the PIC Circular.
It is unlawful to introduce or export certain chemicals listed under an international agreement without our written approval, and harsh penalties apply.
Information you must provide
You’ll need the following information:
- Exporter’s and importer’s contact details, including an ABN (if applicable)
- AICIS registration number (if applicable)
- Common name and trade name of the PIC chemical
- CAS number
- AHECC code
- Intended use of the chemical – industrial, pesticide or both
- Safety data sheet and label in the official language of the destination country
Export scenarios
There are 6 export scenarios, and each belongs to one of either category A, B or C.
Category A
- Export Authorisation #1 – An Australian business exporting a banned or severely restricted chemical to a destination country that is a Party to the Rotterdam Convention, and it has provided an import response to the chemical. The business can meet the conditions of the import response.
Category B
- Export Authorisation #2 – An Australian business exporting a banned or severely restricted chemical to a destination country that is a Party to the Rotterdam Convention, but it has not provided an import response to the chemical.
- Export Authorisation #3 – An Australian business exporting a banned or severely restricted chemical to a destination country that is a Party to the Rotterdam Convention, and it has provided an import response of ‘no consent’ to the chemical.
- Export Authorisation #4 – An Australian business exporting a chemical that is restricted in Australia to a destination country.
Category C
- Export Authorisation #5 – An Australian business exporting a banned or severely restricted chemical to a destination country that is not a Party to the Rotterdam Convention.
- Export Authorisation #6 – An Australian business exporting a banned or severely restricted chemical in circumstances where the industrial use is out of scope as detailed in Article 3(2)(h)(i and ii) of the Rotterdam Convention.
List of chemicals subject to export conditions
Section 73 of the Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules prohibits the export of certain industrial chemicals subject to the Rotterdam Convention. This means that it is unlawful to export some Annex III-listed industrial chemicals without our written approval.
| Chemical name | CAS number |
|---|---|
|
Commercial octabromodiphenyl ether (including Hexabromodiphenyl ether and Heptabromodiphenyl ether) |
36483-60-0, 68928-80-3 |
|
Commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether (including tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether) |
32534-81-9, 40088-47-9 |
| Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) | 25637-99-4 |
|
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonamides and perfluorooctane sulfonyls, including: (i) potassium perfluorooctane sulfonate; and (ii) lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate; and (iii) ammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate; and (iv) diethanolammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate; and (v) tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate; and (vi) didecyldimethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate; and (vii) N‑ethylperfluorooctane sulfonamide; and (viii) N‑methylperfluorooctane sulfonamide; and (ix) N‑ethyl‑N‑(2‑hydroxyethyl) perfluorooctane sulfonamide; and (x) N‑(2‑hydroxyethyl)‑N‑methylperfluorooctane sulfonamide; and (xi) perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride |
1691-99-2, 1763-23-1, 24448-09-7, 251099-16-8, 2795-39-3, 29081-56-9, 29457-72-5, 307-35-7, 31506-32-8, 4151-50-2, 56773-42-3, 70225-14-8 |
|
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs), including: (i) hexabromobiphenyl; and (ii) octabromobiphenyl; and (iii) decabromobiphenyl |
13654-09-6, 27858-07-7, 36355-01-8 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 1336-36-3 |
| Polychlorinated Terphenyls (PCTs) | 61788-33-8 |
| Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP) | 85535-84-8 |
| Tetraethyl lead | 78-00-2 |
| Tetramethyl lead | 75-74-1 |
| Tributyl tin compounds |
1461-22-9, 1983-10-4, 2155-70-6, 24124-25-2, 4342-36-3, 56-35-9, 85409-17-2 |
| Tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate | 126-72-7 |
Exports of tetraethyl lead
Tetraethyl lead is a highly toxic fuel additive. Although it is listed on the Inventory, the export of tetraethyl lead is subject to special conditions.
If you wish to export tetraethyl lead, please contact us.
How to apply
If you want to export any chemical listed in the table above, you must download the application form and submit it in the AICIS Business Services online portal.
Step 1: Download the form:
If you want to export any chemical listed in the table above, you must download the application form and submit it in the AICIS Business Services online portal.
Note: To view and use interactive forms, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Step 2: Complete the form and save it to your PC.
Note: In section 3, you must select the type of annual export authorisation you are applying for. There are 6 options, and each option belongs to one of either Category A, Category B or Category C. Make a note of this information – you will need it when you submit the form.
Step 3: Sign in to the AICIS Business Services online portal. If you don't have an account, you can sign up for free.
Step 4: Click on the 'Other applications' tile and select 'Create a new application'.
Step 5: Select an 'Application type' from the drop-down box. It will be one of following 3 types:
- Rotterdam Convention: Annual Export Authorisation – Category A
- Rotterdam Convention: Annual Export Authorisation – Category B
- Rotterdam Convention: Annual Export Authorisation – Category C
Select the 'Business contact' and 'Application contact', then click on 'save'.
Step 6: Once you're sure that all your details are correct, click on 'Create invoice' and then pay the invoice in the portal.
Step 7: Upload your completed form and any supporting documents. Check the declaration box and then click 'submit application'.
Fees
Payments are non-refundable.
| Description | Fee A$ (GST does not apply) |
|---|---|
|
Apply to export a Rotterdam Convention banned or severely restricted industrial chemical – Category A. |
|
| Apply to export a Rotterdam Convention banned or severely restricted industrial chemical – Category B. | Go to our fees page. |
| Apply to export a Rotterdam Convention banned or severely restricted industrial chemical – Category C. | Go to our fees page. |