URGENT FOR IMPORTERS: New goods and countries affected by upcoming Stink bug 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.

In the 2017-2018 season, only shipments of machinery and motor vehicles from 3 countries were affected, namely USA, Italy and Japan.

For this upcoming 2018-2019 season, a significantly larger increase in imported goods and countries will be affected by the additional measures:

Target Risk Countries

United State of America, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Japan (heightened vessel surveillance will be the only measure applied).

Target High Risk Goods

• Break-bulk:- vehicles, machinery, equipment, aircraft and railway locos
• Bricks, tiles, ceramics, stone, cement, wood, cork, glass, steel, steel articles, base metal, iron, copper, nickel, aluminium, lead, zinc, tin, tools, cutlery, arms, ammunition, explosives, pyrotechnics, electrical machinery
• Goods likely to be stored in a manner that provides access for BMSB to shelter over winter

Target Risk Goods

• Chemicals and chemical products, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals
• Salt, minerals, ores, slag, ash, fuel oils, fertilisers, plastics, tyres, rubber, straw, basket ware, wood pulp, paper, cardboard, printed matter, wadding, felt.

From 1^st September 2018, to 30^th April 2019, the BMSB measures that will be applied to vessels from Target Risk Countries, and to Target High Risk Goods and Target Risk Goods manufactured or shipped from these countries as sea cargo are as shown in this chart (click to expand):

Treatment

DAWR is currently developing new treatment assurance measures for the 2018-2019 season.  These will include:

• Establishing an offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme with minimum standards for BMSB treatments and offshore treatment;
• An approved offshore treatment provider list; and
• Processes to prevent fraudulent treatment certificates.

The approved treatment options that will be utilised for BMSB are:

• Sulfuryl fluoride
• Methyl bromide
• Heat

Further information can be found in the following government links:

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/pests/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/pests/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs/prepare-import

If you are concerned about the whether the goods you are importing will be affected by the Stink bug measures, please feel free to call the team at Clarke Global Logistics on 9854 3000 or email enquiry@clarkeglobal.com.au for assistance and advice.

Photo by USDAgov