Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Tbes Editorial Team
Dried brewer’s yeast for pet food enters Australia under the BICON case “Pet food, pet food ingredients, and supplements for companion animals”. When imported in bulk for further processing, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is treated as a low risk biological ingredient: no import permit is needed if the manufacturer can declare a defined set of conditions. If it cannot, the importer applies for a permit before shipping. TBESBY supplies the specification, Certificate of Analysis and supporting documents for either route.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Who is responsible | What TBESBY provides |
|---|---|---|
| Check the BICON case and answer its questions | Importer | Product and process description |
| Manufacturer’s declaration, or an import permit | Manufacturer and importer | Process information to support the importer’s assessment |
| Clean, new packaging free of insects, soil and plant debris | Exporter | New 25 kg bags or jumbo bags, packed in our own facilities |
| Documents identifying the consignment | Exporter and importer | Commercial invoice, packing list and Certificate of Analysis |
| Proof of origin for preferential duty | Exporter | Certificate of origin on request |
Which BICON case applies
BICON, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s import conditions database, lists brewer’s yeast for pets under the case for pet food, pet food ingredients and supplements for companion animals. The case covers food for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses, and explicitly includes ingredients of microbial origin such as Saccharomyces, whether finished or imported in bulk for further processing. Yeast for production animals such as cattle, pigs and poultry is covered by a different case.
The no-permit route for low risk yeast
For bulk goods for further processing, BICON classes pure cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their derivatives as low risk biological ingredients. A permit is not required if a manufacturer’s declaration states that:
- the only microbial ingredient comes from a pure culture of S. cerevisiae;
- no material of terrestrial, aquatic or avian animal origin was used, including in the fermentation media, and the media was sterilised;
- the product contains no ingredients of plant origin and is not on a grain or animal-based carrier;
- the product was not exposed to contamination after processing and is packed in clean, new packaging;
- it was manufactured under quality standards, such as Good Manufacturing Practice, applicable to animal feed.
Each statement must be true for the specific product. Importers should review the wording with their supplier before relying on this route.
When an import permit is needed
If any condition cannot be declared, the importer can apply for a permit under the application for pet food: dry or semi-moist foods, pet treats, or pet food ingredients. The department issues a permit only where biosecurity risk can be managed to an acceptably low level, and the animal feed checklist should be completed in advance. Departmental fees apply to all services, and containers and packaging are also assessed under the non-commodity cargo clearance case.
Duty and proof of origin
Vietnam and Australia are both parties to the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the CPTPP. Preferential rates require valid proof of origin for each shipment. Confirm the applicable rate for tariff heading 2102 with the Australian Border Force before shipping.
Documents we send for supplier approval
- Product specification sheet
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- Certificate of Analysis with every shipment
- ISO 22000:2018 certificate
- Process description and raw material origin: fresh brewer’s yeast from leading international breweries in Vietnam, drum-dried at our own facilities
- Certificate of origin on request
- Free 1–2 kg sample for your laboratory and formulation trials
See the full figures on our specifications page and the safety limits pet food buyers apply in safety specs for brewer’s yeast in pet food. Importing elsewhere? Read our guides for the USA, the EU and the UK.
From first contact to first container
- BICON check: the importer runs the case questions for the intended use.
- Specification review against your formulation targets and label declarations.
- Sample: 1–2 kg free of charge; you cover courier cost, which we credit against your first contract.
- Supplier approval: we complete your questionnaire and send the documents above.
- Trial order to confirm biosecurity clearance, handling and duty treatment.
- Contract supply in 25 kg bags or jumbo bags of 600–1,200 kg, on an agreed shipping schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Does brewer’s yeast need an import permit for pet food in Australia?
Not always. Under the BICON case for pet food and pet food ingredients, a low risk Saccharomyces cerevisiae ingredient imported in bulk for further processing can enter without a permit if a manufacturer’s declaration confirms every listed condition. If the declaration cannot be made, the importer applies for an import permit for pet food ingredients.
Which BICON case applies to brewer’s yeast?
For dogs, cats and other companion animals, the case “Pet food, pet food ingredients, and supplements for companion animals” (effective 30 October 2026). Yeast for production animals such as cattle, pigs and poultry falls under a different case, so check BICON for that use.
What must the manufacturer’s declaration cover?
Among other points: the yeast comes from a pure culture of S. cerevisiae, no animal-origin material was used, including in the culture media, the media was sterilised, the product contains no plant-origin ingredients and is not on a grain carrier, it was not contaminated after processing, and it was made under GMP-type standards for animal feed.
Is there import duty on brewer’s yeast from Vietnam?
Vietnam and Australia are both parties to AANZFTA and the CPTPP, which offer preferential rates with valid proof of origin. Confirm the rate for tariff heading 2102 with the Australian Border Force before shipping.
Can I get a sample before supplier approval?
Yes. We send 1–2 kg free of charge; you cover the courier cost, which we credit against your first contract. Samples also need to meet BICON conditions on arrival.