60‑Minute PEBS Outage Could Cause Up to Three‑Day Delays for Pet and Plant Imports

Biosecurity System Outage Could Delay Pet and Plant Imports to Australia

Canberra – Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced a planned outage of its Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS), a critical portal for importing live animals and plant material. The system, which integrates with the Australian Border Force, will be offline for approximately one hour, from 11:00 PM AEDT on January 27th to 12:00 AM AEDT on January 28th, impacting importers during a traditionally busy period.

What is PEBS and Why Does the Outage Matter?

The Post Entry Biosecurity system, or PEBS, is a mandatory online platform used to manage import permits for items ranging from household pets to commercial plant cuttings. It generates essential permit numbers required by airlines before accepting these shipments. Any incomplete submissions when PEBS shuts down will automatically expire, perhaps causing notable delays.Freight forwarders are warning of possible quarantine booking setbacks of up to three days, exacerbating challenges during the peak post-holiday relocation season, when demand is already high.

Impact on Importers and Relocation Services

Individuals and businesses relocating to Australia with pets or importing plant life need to be aware of the impending system downtime. Mobility providers assisting executives with international moves are particularly urged to upload all necessary documentation – veterinary health certificates and confirmed airline reservations – well in advance. Alternatively, postponing shipments untill PEBS is operational again is advised to avoid potential complications. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, international migration to Australia continues to rise, with over 350,000 migrants arriving in the year ending september 2023 [https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration/latest-migration-statistics/latest-migration-statistics](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration/latest-migration-statistics/latest-migration-statistics), increasing the demand on biosecurity processes.

Contingency Plans and Alternatives

DAFF has stated that paper-based applications will be accepted at quarantine facilities in Melbourne and Sydney for urgent animal welfare cases, but prior phone notification to the Biosecurity Operations Center is essential. The department will also automatically extend request deadlines that fall during the outage, preventing breaches of statutory requirements. For those seeking assistance navigating the complex import regulations, private companies like VisaHQ offer specialized services, including documentation support and real-time tracking.

PEBS Outage details: A Swift Reference

Element	Details
System	Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS)
Outage Start	23:00 AEDT, January 27th
Outage end	00:00 AEDT, January 28th
Potential Delay	Up to 3 days for quarantine bookings
Contingency	Paper forms (urgent cases, pre-notification required)

Long-Term System Modernization

This temporary disruption underscores the ongoing reliance on outdated Data and Communication Technology (ICT) within Australia’s quarantine procedures. A planned replacement for the PEBS platform was postponed last year due to budgetary constraints. Officials have now indicated that a path towards modernization will be outlined in the May 2026 federal budget, signalling a long-term commitment to upgrading the system. This reflects a broader trend of digital transformation within Australian government services, aiming for increased efficiency and security.

Are you currently planning to import pets or plant material into Australia? How will this PEBS outage affect your arrangements? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

What impact can a 60‑minute PEBS outage have on the processing time for pet and plant imports?

60-Minute PEBS Outage Could Cause Up to Three-Day Delays for Pet and Plant Imports

The Program for Electronic Business Standards (PEBS) is a critical, frequently enough unseen, component of international trade. A recent, albeit brief, outage – lasting just 60 minutes on January 27th, 2026 – highlighted just how vulnerable the import of live animals and plant material is to disruptions in this system. Importers are now bracing for potential delays of up to three days as backlogs are processed and inspections rescheduled. This article breaks down what happened, why it matters for pet imports, plant imports, and the wider agricultural and animal welfare sectors, and what steps you can take to mitigate the impact.

Understanding the PEBS system & Its Role in import Compliance

PEBS acts as the central hub for submitting required documentation for goods entering a country. For animal imports and plant health certificates, this includes everything from veterinary records and origin declarations to phytosanitary certificates and import permits. It’s a fully electronic system designed to streamline the process, reduce paperwork, and enhance biosecurity.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Documentation Submission: importers (or their agents) upload all necessary documents through the PEBS portal.
2. Agency Review: Relevant government agencies – such as the Department of Agriculture, veterinary services, and customs – review the submissions.
3. Inspection Scheduling: If required, inspections are scheduled based on the documentation provided.
4. Release Authorization: Once compliance is verified, goods are authorized for release.

When PEBS goes down, this entire process grinds to a halt.

The January 27th Outage: A Ripple Effect

The 60-minute outage on January 27th wasn’t due to a cyberattack, according to official statements from the Department of Trade and Industry. Instead, it was attributed to a routine system update that encountered unforeseen complications. While seemingly short, the impact was meaningful.

* Submission Freeze: No new documentation could be submitted during the outage.

* Review Halt: Agencies were unable to access or review existing submissions.

* Inspection Delays: Scheduled inspections had to be postponed.

* Backlog Creation: A significant backlog of unprocessed applications quickly accumulated.

This backlog is the primary driver of the anticipated three-day delays. Agencies are working to clear the queue, but the sheer volume of submissions means a complete recovery will take time. Live animal transport and perishable plant material imports are notably vulnerable to these delays.

Impact on Specific Import Categories

the severity of the delay varies depending on the type of import:

* Pet Imports (Dogs, Cats, Birds): Delays can cause significant stress for animals in transit. Longer holding times at import facilities increase the risk of illness and require additional care. Dog imports and cat imports are facing increased scrutiny due to recent updates in rabies and feline leukemia regulations.

* plant Imports (Nursery Stock, Seeds, Produce): Perishable plant material, like cut flowers and certain fruits and vegetables, has a limited shelf life. Delays can lead to spoilage and financial losses for importers. Ornamental plant imports are especially sensitive.

* Agricultural Imports (Seeds for Planting, Bulbs): Delays in the release of seeds and planting material can disrupt planting schedules and impact agricultural production.

* Commercial Animal Imports (Livestock, Breeding animals): These imports frequently enough involve complex logistics and strict biosecurity protocols. Delays can disrupt breeding programs and impact livestock supply chains.

Mitigating the Impact: What Importers Can Do

While importers can’t prevent system outages, they can take steps to minimize the disruption:

1. Early Submission: Submit all required documentation well in advance of the expected arrival date. Aim for at least 72 hours, if possible.
2. Documentation Accuracy: Ensure all documentation is complete, accurate, and meets all regulatory requirements. Errors will only add to the backlog.
3. Proactive Communication: Maintain open communication with your freight forwarder, customs broker, and the relevant government agencies.
4. Contingency Planning: develop a contingency plan to address potential delays, including arrangements for temporary storage and animal care.
5. Stay Informed: monitor official announcements from the Department of Trade and Industry and relevant agencies for updates on the PEBS system and backlog clearance progress. Sign up for email alerts.

The Bigger Picture: System Resilience and Future Proofing

The January 27th outage serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of global supply chains and the importance of system resilience. There’s growing pressure on the Department of Trade and Industry to invest in upgrades to the PEBS system, including:

* Redundancy Measures: Implementing redundant systems to ensure continued operation in the event of an outage.

* Enhanced Monitoring: Improving system monitoring to detect and address potential issues proactively.

* Increased Capacity: Expanding system capacity to handle peak volumes of submissions.

* Improved Communication Protocols: Establishing clear communication protocols to keep importers informed during disruptions.

The incident also underscores the need for greater collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to identify and address vulnerabilities in the import process. Import regulations are constantly evolving, and a robust, reliable PEBS system is essential for ensuring compliance and protecting both domestic industries and public health.

Real-World Example: the Floral Industry impact

A major floral importer, based in Johannesburg, reported losing an estimated R