Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

QUARANTINE ACT 1908 - SECT 20D

Goods may only be landed at declared port

             (1)  Except as provided by subsection (2), imported animals, plants or other goods must not be landed at a place in Australia or, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island other than a port declared by Proclamation to be a port at which they may be landed.

Exception for goods landed with permission

             (2)  Imported animals, plants or other goods may be landed at a place in Australia or, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island that is not a port declared by Proclamation to be a port at which they may be landed if:

                     (a)  they are landed from an overseas vessel; and

                     (b)  a Director of Quarantine has, upon application made by the master, owner or agent of the vessel, given the applicant written permission for them to be landed at the place; and

                     (c)  where the permission is subject to a condition--the condition is complied with.

Offence for landing goods without permission

             (3)  A person is guilty of an offence if:

                     (a)  the person lands any imported animals, plants or other goods in a place in Australia or, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island that is not a port declared by Proclamation to be a port at which they may be landed; and

                     (b)  no permission is in force under subsection (2) for them to be landed at the place

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.

Offence for contravening condition of permission

             (4)  A person is guilty of an offence if:

                     (a)  the person lands any imported animals, plants or other goods at a place in Australia or, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island that is not a port declared by Proclamation to be a port at which they may be landed; and

                     (b)  a permission is in force under subsection (2) for them to be landed at the place; and

                     (c)  the permission is subject to a condition that is to be complied with after they are landed; and

                     (d)  the condition is contravened; and

                     (e)  the person is reckless as to whether or not the condition is contravened.

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.