DAFF 14.4 Rural Tailgate Inspections for Shipping Containers — Brisbane and Darwin

Depth Logistics Pty Ltd carries out DAFF Class 14.4 rural tailgate inspections of imported shipping containers at our Depth Defence Logistics Centres (2DLCs) in Brisbane and Darwin. Our Brisbane 2DLC (DAFF Approved Arrangement Q3134) and Darwin 2DLC (DAFF Approved Arrangement C1198) have certified 20′ and 40′ container inspection stands and all-weather DAFF washpads, and they can also host departmental rural tailgate inspections. When our own trucks cart your in-gauge container into and out of the 2DLC, the rural tailgate inspection is free. We can turn containers around the same day when a wharf delivery slot is available, and we work 7 days when required: on time, on budget, safely and securely.

What is a DAFF rural tailgate inspection?

A rural tailgate inspection (RTG) is a biosecurity inspection of an imported shipping container. It has nothing to do with a truck tailgate. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) requires it when an imported sea container is going to be unpacked at an address in a postcode that DAFF classifies as rural.

Containers can carry soil, seeds, plant material, insects, snails and even animals on their outside surfaces and around the doors. Unpacking them in farming areas carries a higher risk of a pest or disease getting established, so DAFF directs that the container is inspected, and cleaned if needed, at an approved metropolitan site before it is delivered to the rural address.

When does a container need a rural tailgate inspection?

• The container is imported by sea and is subject to biosecurity control
• The unpack address is in a postcode DAFF classifies as rural (check the address with DAFF’s delivery postcode classifications)
• DAFF has issued a biosecurity direction for a rural tailgate inspection, based on the information in the import declaration

The unpack address must be declared correctly. A wrong or missing rural declaration can delay your cargo and may put you in breach of your obligations under the Biosecurity Act 2015. If you are unsure whether your delivery address is rural, call us before the container lands and we will help you check.

What Class 14.4 covers

Class 14.4 is the DAFF approved arrangement that lets an approved operator carry out rural tailgate inspections at its own approved site, instead of waiting for a departmental officer. Under DAFF’s conditions, Class 14.4 covers:

• Dry box, reefer, ISO tanker and open top containers
• Containers going to a rural postcode that need a rural tailgate inspection for rural concerns only
• Containers that need a mandatory onshore treatment before the rural tailgate inspection

Some containers must still be inspected by a DAFF officer, such as containers whose goods need a department-directed commodity inspection or verification, and prefabricated office and accommodation units built as or shipped in a container. We can host these departmental inspections at our Brisbane and Darwin 2DLCs on the same certified stands.

DAFF also requires a Class 14.4 site to hold a freight depot approved arrangement and a Class 4.3 cleaning approved arrangement with a compliant wash bay, and to have a certified container inspection stand. Our Brisbane and Darwin 2DLCs have the washpads and certified stands that rural tailgate inspections need.

How a rural tailgate inspection works at our 2DLCs

1. Booking and cartage

Tell us the container number, the vessel and the rural delivery address. Our own road transport fleet carts the container from the wharf to our Brisbane or Darwin 2DLC. When a wharf delivery slot is available we can inspect and turn the container around the same day, and we work 7 days when required.

2. External inspection on a certified stand

The container is lifted onto our certified 20′ or 40′ inspection stand so the underside can be fully inspected. Our team checks the side walls, roof edges, underside, corner castings and twist-lock holes, forklift pockets and door seals. For reefers we also check the machinery and power leads, and for ISO tankers the tank and frame.

3. Internal inspection

The doors are opened and the doors, seals, walls and floor area are inspected for biosecurity risk material. Some containers, such as those carrying dangerous goods or hard frozen goods, and ISO tanks, are inspected externally only, as DAFF directs.

4. Washing and reinspection if needed

If we find soil, seeds, plant material or other contamination, we remove it and wash the container on our all-weather DAFF washpad, then reinspect it on the stand until it is clean. Our washpads are under roof and well lit, so they run day and night in all weather – see biosecurity washing. If we find live animals or insects, we contain them and notify DAFF immediately, and the container stays under biosecurity control until DAFF directs what happens next. If the cargo also needs treatment, we offer cargo and container fumigation at both centres.

5. Release and delivery

Once the container passes, it is released from biosecurity control in line with the Class 14.4 conditions and we deliver it to your rural address. If you need it unpacked first, our container freight station can unpack and pack containers at both 2DLCs.

Free rural tailgate inspections when our trucks cart in and out

We do not charge for the rural tailgate inspection when Depth Logistics trucks carry your container into and out of our Brisbane or Darwin 2DLC.

• Both legs must be carted by Depth Logistics trucks: into the 2DLC and out of the 2DLC
• In-gauge containers only
• The free inspection does not apply to over-width containers, over-height containers or flat racks
• If our trucks carry only one leg (in or out), the rural tailgate inspection is charged at our standard rate. Contact us for a quote
• For washing, reinspection after washing and any DAFF fees, contact us for a quote

Book your cartage and rural tailgate inspection together and we will handle the whole job, from the wharf to your rural delivery address.

Rural tailgate inspections in Brisbane (Pinkenba)

Our Brisbane 2DLC is at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD 4008, in the Brisbane Airport precinct and less than 1 km from the Pinkenba wharves and DAFF. It operates under DAFF Approved Arrangement Q3134 and has:

• DAFF Class 14.4 rural tailgate inspections
• A certified 20′ and 40′ container inspection stand
• Two all-weather DAFF biosecurity washpads
• A cargo fumigation pad, including BMSB treatment
• Container packing and unpacking
• Container trucks, forklifts from 2.5t to 16t and lighting for 24-hour operations

Call the Brisbane office on 07 3054 4670

Rural tailgate inspections in Darwin (East Arm)

Our Darwin 2DLC is at 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT 0822, 4 km from the Darwin Port gate at East Arm. It operates under DAFF Approved Arrangement C1198 and is ideal for containers going to rural delivery addresses outside Greater Darwin and across the Northern Territory. It has:

• DAFF Class 14.4 rural tailgate inspections
• A certified 20′ and 40′ container inspection stand
• An all-weather DAFF biosecurity washpad
• A cargo fumigation pad, including BMSB treatment
• Container packing and unpacking, and a 50,000 sqm laydown area
• A Kalmar RT240 reach stacker, container trucks and road train access

Call the Darwin office on 08 8911 1216

Why use Depth Logistics for rural tailgate inspections

• One provider for the whole job: wharf cartage, rural tailgate inspection, washing, fumigation, unpacking and delivery to the rural address
• Free inspection for in-gauge containers when our trucks cart them in and out
• Same-day turnaround when a wharf delivery slot is available, and 7-day work when required
• Certified inspection stands and all-weather washpads at both 2DLCs, so a failed inspection does not mean sending the container somewhere else to be washed
• An in-house team that includes former DAFF and MAF officers and ADF veterans
• Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) member, with a security-cleared team
• Every job delivered on time, on budget, safely and securely

Related biosecurity services

• Biosecurity washing – all-weather DAFF washpads in Brisbane and Darwin
• SEA PREP – our deployable biosecurity washing module
• Cargo and container fumigation – including BMSB treatment
• Quarantine and biosecurity – DAFF clearance and pre-shipment inspections
• Container unloading and loading – container freight station services
• Road transport – container cartage to and from the wharf

Frequently asked questions