Full reporting became mandatory on 1 July 2021
Before 1 July 2021, transitional facility operators only reported on contaminated containers (about 2% to 10% of containers they received). Reporting on all containers will:
- enhance the biosecurity system by improving sea container traceability
- contribute to more effective import measures, border controls, and targeted post border surveillance activities
- help assess the performance of transitional facilities
- allow us to act quickly when things go wrong.
How to report the results of container inspections
Results of all sea container inspections must be sent within 48 hours of completing the inspection. Submit the reports through our online system – the Container Checks portal.
If you find live organisms in the container, immediately contact the pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 to report them.
Note that submitting all results does not mean you will get a BACC (Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate) release for all containers.
About the Container Checks portal
In March 2024, we launched a new Container Checks portal. The most significant change is that accredited persons will now need to log into Container Checks using RealMe (the online government identification system).
The new portal is similar to the old one but we've improved its look and added new features.
We have written a step-by-step guide to use for your first log in to RealMe.
Steps for your initial login to Container Checks via RealMe [PDF, 729 KB]
We're working on more improvements
The portal is now on a newer technology platform that allows us to more easily add new features.
We're already working on 2 other important requirements. One is providing transitional facility operators access to the Container Checks portal.
The other is enabling business-to-business messaging to allow for seamless data transfer between transitional facilities and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). We're partway through building that functionality. We'll be testing it with interested transitional facility operators later in 2024 before we make it available to everyone.
Getting your transitional facility approved or becoming an accredited person
To unpack containers, your transitional facility must be approved and employ an accredited person. Accredited persons must complete basic biosecurity training. Transitional facilities are audited by MPI.
Steps to get a transitional facility approved
How to become an accredited person
Transitional facility operator training providers
Accredited persons training providers
Guidance and resources for Container Checks
AP – Container Checks Portal ‐ Adding a new TF to your profile – YouTube
AP ‐ Container Checks Portal ‐ Updating Contamination for Sea Containers – YouTube
AP ‐ Container Checks Portal ‐ Updating contamination for Air Containers – YouTube
AP ‐ Container Checks Portal ‐ Updating Multiple Containers with No Contamination – YouTube
Container Checks portal user manual [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Questions and answers about the Container Check portal and 100% reporting [PDF, 197 KB]
List of transitional facilities [PDF, 2.2 MB]
