Guidance: Applying for permission to export medicinal cannabis and cannabis-related substances

Guidance for completing an application for permission to export medicinal cannabis and cannabis-related substances.

Resource type

Guidance

Introduction

The exportation of medicinal cannabis and cannabis related substances subject to Regulation 10 and 10A of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 is prohibited unless the exporter holds a licence and permit issued by the Narcotics Control Section (NCS). A permit is required for each consignment that is exported whereas licenses are issued annually. A licence to export must be obtained before a permit can be granted. Information on obtaining a licence is available separately from the Office of Drug Control (ODC) website.

Application requirements

Medicinal cannabis and its products (such as cannabis oil, extracts and tinctures) are regulated as medicines in Australia and are prescription only substances.

Exporters must specify the form of THC being exported when completing export permits and are now required to specify whether the cannabinoids are of natural or synthetic origin.

To apply for a permit to export controlled substances the application form titled ‘Application for permission to export cannabis and cannabis-related substances’ must be submitted to NCS. The guidance provided here will assist you in completing and submitting the application form.

Completing the application form:

The table below identifies the required information for completing the permit application form:

Part of application form	Explanation of required information
1. Exporter information
Licence holder’s name	Provide name of the registered Licence Holder.
Export licence number	Provide Export Licence number.
Licence expiry date	Provide the expiry date for the Export Licence.
Company name	Provide the name of the company that has been licenced to export.
Approximate date of export	Indicate the expected export date for the consignment if the export permit is issued.
Company address	Provide the physical address of the company that holds the Licence. The address must match the address that is listed on the Licence.
Postal address	Provide the postal address to which you would like the export permit sent. Permits will be sent by standard mail unless a self-addressed express post envelope accompanies the application.
2. Importer Information
Overseas importer’s full name	State the full name of the overseas importing entity.
Overseas importer’s address	State the physical address of the overseas importer to be displayed on the export permit (the importing address cannot be a PO Box).
Import authorisation No.	Cannabis and cannabis-related substances that are subject to control under the international drug treaties cannot be exported from a country without the prior approval of the competent authority in the receiving country. State the import authorisation number listed on the authorisation issued by the competent authority in the destination country. A scanned copy of the overseas import authorisation must accompany the export permit application submitted to NCS.
Import authorisation date of issue	Specify the date the overseas import permit was issued.
3. Cannabis Flower/flos – Only complete if exporting cannabis in flower or bud form
Raw Material API or Finished Goods	Select Raw Material API if the cannabis being exported is raw material to be used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to be further manufactured into a finished product. If the cannabis being exported is a raw material, indicate the total weight (in grams) to be exported. Select Finished Goods if the cannabis being exported is a finished good and requires no further manufacturing. Indicate the pack size and number of packs to be exported for the finished good.
Examples:
Cannabis Flos (or Flower) for export as finished good
Cannabis Flos (or Flower) for export as raw material
4. Cannabis related substances (e.g. extract, oil, THC, Delta-9-THC, CBD)
Raw Material API or Finished Goods	Refer to point 3 for the definitions of API and Finished Goods.
Origin of cannabinoids	Indicate whether the cannabinoids are of Natural or Synthetic origin.
Concentration/Strength	Indicate the concentration/strength of the major cannabinoids For raw material: Express each cannabinoid as a percentage (%) For finished goods: Express each cannabinoid in milligrams per millilitre (mg/ml) Wafer/sublingual film: Express each cannabinoid in milligrams (mg)
Form of substance	Indicate the form of the finished goods, for example capsule, cartridge, oil, seed etc.
Pack type and size	Provide details on the pack type and the size in metric units only. API material: for example 1kg pack Finished goods (single units): for example 30ml bottle or 15g pack Finished goods (multiple units): for example 10mg wafer, pack of 50 Cannabis seeds: for example 10 packs of 50 seeds
Number of Packs	Specify the total number of packs/bottles (as defined above) that make up the proposed shipment. For example: 20 if you are exporting 20 x 1kg packs 500 if you are exporting 500 x 30ml bottles 1,500 if you are exporting 1,500 x 15g packs 100 if you are exporting 100 x packs of 50 wafers (5,000 wafers total) Net weight of seeds.
Examples:
THC/CBD for export as finished goods
Samples for laboratory use for export
Seed for cultivation for export
5. Declaration and Consent Make sure you read and understand the declaration and consent. Sign the application form. Complete the contact details of the person signing the form. The form must be signed by the licence holder or a person that the licence holder has authorised in writing to make applications under the licence.

Submitting your application

You can submit your application in the following ways:

Mail	Narcotics Control Section Office of Drug Control GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Email	NCS@health.gov.au

The NCS endeavours to process applications for permits within 20 business days from the date of receipt of a viable application form and the required supporting documentation.

While a very high proportion of applications are processed within 10 days, there will be times where high demand for permits may result in slightly longer processing times. Application forms that contain incomplete or incorrect information will be returned to you for amendment, resulting in delays in processing.

It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the triplicate copy of the permit is completed at the time of exportation and the hardcopy returned to NCS.

It is responsibility of the exporter to return the endorsed triplicate copy to NCS no later than 14 working days after the exportation has occurred. Failure to comply with this condition may result in cancellation of export licenses.

Unused or expired permits must be returned within 14 days.

Supporting documents

Guidance - Completing an application for permission to export medicinal cannabis and cannabis-related substances [PDF, 261.79 KB]

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