Stink Bug Season 2024 – 2025 – New measures

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) can wipe out entire crops of fruits and vegetables and has the potential to severely impact our agricultural industries.  These pests can enter vehicles, homes and factories in large numbers during autumn months, looking for places to shelter over winter.  Their secretions can be a skin allergen and their smell can cause allergic reactions in some people.

We urge our importers to be vigilant with import regulations and the new BMSB seasonal measures to be applied by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). 

It is important to note that it is the shipper/consignee’s responsibility to ensure their cargo meets the BMSB requirements and that all goods presented for shipping are compliant.

Australia 2023 – 2024 BMSB Season Measures

The BMSB seasonal measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries, that have been shipped between 1 September 2024 and 30 April 2025 (inclusive), and to vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries within the same period. 

Note: The shipped on board date, as indicated on the Ocean Bill of Lading, is the date used to determine when goods have been shipped. “Gate in” dates and times will not be accepted to determine when goods are shipped.

Target Risk Countries

Please note the list of countries on the DAFF website that have been categorised as target risk countries.

In addition, the following countries have been identified as emerging risk countries for the BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection between selected dates.

• China – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 September to 31 December (inclusive)
• United Kingdom – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 December to 30 April (inclusive)

Target Goods

Goods that are subject to the measures are categorized as target high risk goods or target risk goods.  Please see the list of Target Goods on the DAFF website to see if your goods fall into either of these categories.

• If your goods are classed as target high risk, they will require mandatory treatment.
• If your goods are classed as target risk, they will be subject to increased onshore intervention through random inspection.  Mandatory treatment is not required.
• If your goods are not found in either category, they are not subject to BMSB measures, however, will be subject to the measures if packed with target high risk or risk goods.
• Goods shipped in iso-tanks and as bulk-in-holds of cargo vessels are not subject to the measures.

Treatment of Target High Risk Goods

• Target high risk goods treated in target risk countries must be treated by a treatment provider listed as ‘approved’ on the List of treatment providers.
• Containerised goods will be directed for onshore treatment.
• Breakbulk will be directed for export.

Break Bulk Goods

• Breakbulk includes those goods shipped on flat rack and open top containers.  FCL modified containers (such as those with in-built power generators, filtration, portable accommodation etc. are no longer sealed 6 hard sided containers and are considered breakbulk cargo). 
• All target high risk goods shipped as breakbulk must be treated offshore only prior to arrival into Australia.
• Untreated breakbulk will be directed for export.
• Automated Entry Processing for Commodity (AEPCOMM) arrangements for BMSB is permitted for break bulk goods. See relevant BICON commodities for assessment and outcomes through DAFF.

Containerised Goods (FCL, FCX)

• Containerised cargo (including refrigerated and hard top) arriving in sealed six hard sided containers with target high risk goods can be treated offshore, or onshore at the container level.
• Onshore treatment of goods is to occur at the container level. Deconsolidation or removal of goods from the container will not be permitted prior to treatment.
• Containers should be packed in a manner that will enable effective onshore treatment at the container level to avoid possible export of the container.
• AEPCOMM arrangements for BMSB is permitted. See relevant BICON commodities for assessment and outcomes.
• A sealing declaration can be utilised for FCL / FCX containers in the following circumstances:
  • Goods were containerised and sealed prior to 1 September, but shipped on board after this date; or
  • The bill of lading does not state the shipped-on board date; or
  • Target high risk goods were manufactured, packed and sealed in a container in a non-target risk country but have been shipped from a target risk country; or
  • Goods were sealed inside the container within 120 hours of treatment occurring offshore (for treatments conducted prior to 1 December).

Note: Sealing declarations must be completed and signed by either the exporter, freight forwarder, or shipping company at the port of origin.

Note: Container tracking information may be used as supplementary means of confirming shipped on board date. It cannot be used as the primary form of evidence. Container tracking information is insufficient for demonstrating when goods were sealed in a container.

Containerised Goods (LCL, FAK)

• LCL and FAK (Freight of all Kinds) must be treated at the container level for BMSB risk prior to deconsolidation.
• Once the BMSB risk has been managed, the consignments within these containers will be processed at the Full Import Declaration (FID) level for all other biosecurity intervention (if applicable).

See the DAFF Management of LCL/FAK containers web page for more details.

Known Risk Pathways and Supply Chains

Goods from known risk pathways and supply chains that have had previous detections of BMSB may be subject to BMSB intervention including treatment and/or inspections.

RORO

All ro-ro vessels that berth at, load, or tranship in target risk countries between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive) will be required to:

• Conduct at least one crew inspection and respond to specific questions as part of the pre-arrival reporting requirements; and
• Undergo a mandatory seasonal pest inspection on arrival in Australia.

For further information on BMSB seasonal measures for vessels, visit the DAFF Management of vessels web page.

Packing Requirements

• There are specific packing requirements that allow treatments to work effectively. 
• Containers should be packed in a manner that will enable onshore treatment at the container level to reach all internal and external surfaces. 
• Plastic wrapping must be clearly perforated.
• Consignments that are not packed to the required standard will be directed to a depot for a complete unpack and fumigation, which may require the packaging to be perforated.
• More information on packing requirements can be found on this factsheet.

Treatment Types

Heat, Methyl Bromide and Sulfuryl Fluoride treatment only.

Onshore Treatment Providers

Where onshore treatment of goods is permitted, you can find a list of approved arrangement providers on the DAFF website.

Offshore Treatment Providers

AusTreat sets out the department’s registration and compliance requirements for offshore treatment providers, including compliance with applicable treatment methodologies.

Further information can be found on the AusTreat webpage.

Requirements for Treatment Providers

In target risk countries: 

• All offshore treatment providers permforming BMSB treatments must be registered under AusTreat and listed as ‘approved’ on the List of treatment providers prior to treatment.
• Treatments conducted by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country will be deemed as invalid and the goods will be subject to onshore treatment (if permitted) or directed for export.

In non-target risk countries:

• Treatment providers who intend to conduct BMSB treatments for goods that are manufactured in or shipped from any of the target risk countries are encouraged to register under an offshore treatment assurance scheme.

1. Treatment certificates issued by a treatment provider in non-target risk country will be accepted unless the:
   
2. treatment provider is listed as ‘suspended’, ‘withdrawn’ or ‘under review’ on the DAFF List of treatment providers,
   or
3. unregistered treatment provider is listed as ‘unacceptable’ or ‘under review’ on our the DAFF webpage.

Non-compliance

Non-compliance with the packing or treatment regulations is likely to cause severe delays and potentially inaccurate treatment, resulting in the exportation of your shipment once arriving in Australia or transhipment for fumigation.  All costs will be with the customer.

Resources

If you are concerned about whether the goods you are importing will be affected by the Stink Bug measures, please consult the following for more detailed information:

• Visit the DAFF BMSB website
• Factsheet:  BMSB Seasonal Measures

The expert team at Clarke Global Logistics are always up to date with these changing requirements.  We are available to discuss your specific risks and the next steps to ensure seamless importing.  Call us today on +61 3 9854 3000 or email enquiry@clarkeglobal.com.au

Image by macrovector on Freepik