Plants and quarantine

Plant import permits

Mango shoot looper

Mango shoot looper (MSL) has been detected in the Darwin rural area. It is an exotic moth species.

If you think you have seen MSL in the Northern Territory, call 1800 084 881.

Read more about MSL.

You must have a permit to import the following into the Northern Territory (NT):

  • plants and plant products
  • hay and other fodder
  • soil, compost and potting mix
  • machinery, equipment and other plant related material used in agriculture.

Products that need a permit

Read below for what you need to do.

This includes:

  • parts of plants other than seeds
  • pulp or dried material.

Samples must be submitted for diagnostic or laboratory testing.

There are unique requirements for the below plant products:

  • avocado
  • banana
  • grapevine plants
  • seed potatoes.

These plant products may present a risk of bringing new pests and diseases into the NT. Read the NT plant quarantine manual PDF (4.8 MB) on the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.

This includes:

  • hay such as pasture plants that are cut and dried
  • other fodder such as any unprocessed and dried feed (including hay) that is given to livestock to supplement or replace their diet.
Before you apply

Declared pests including ant, snail and fungi species may contaminate hay and other fodder during or after harvest. They can be introduced into the NT through imports of these products.

The pests of concern vary between state and territories within Australia as do the measures used for their management.

For the NT, permits will be issued to cover multiple consignments across a 12-month period.

The fee is currently waived until further notice.

Before you import

When you import hay and other fodder, you must ensure a vendor declaration travels with the product.

You must also send a copy along with details of the product to the Plant Biosecurity branch.

You must do this within 5 days of the product arriving in the NT.

For more information, contact Plant Biosecurity.

This includes:

  • soil
  • compost and potting mix, unless prepared and labelled under the relevant Australian standard.

Agricultural or earth moving equipment such as:

  • harvestors
  • ploughs
  • compactors
  • tractors
  • dozers
  • dump trucks
  • shovels
  • pruning shears
  • picking poles
  • bins and bin lids
  • packaging
  • pallets
  • other containers.

You must provide evidence from the state or territory of origin proving the material has been treated or cleaned appropriately.

How long it takes

Applications are processed within 5 business days.

What you need

The importer must be the person listed as the applicant.

Location details for the storage of the imported materials must be included.

You’ll also need to supply a certificate from the exporter for the state or territory you are exporting from.

The certificates must be supplied before your application can be approved.

Fees

A permit costs $40. The fee is currently waived for hay and other fodder permits.

How to apply

You can apply online or by email or mail.

Online

Go to Territory Services

By email or mail

To apply by email or mail, follow these steps.

Step 1. Fill in the application.

Plant import permit application PDF (612.8 KB)
Plant import permit application DOCX (66.8 KB)

Step 2. Pay your fee in person or by phone at a Receiver of Territory Monies.

Step 3. Submit your application and payment receipt by mail or email to:

Plant Biosecurity Branch
Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Division
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801
plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au

Contact

For more information about plant biosecurity and permits, call 08 8999 2118 or email plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au.

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