GUIDE TO 2023/24 STINK BUG SEASON (BMSB)

04 Sep 2023
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The exotic brown marmorated stink bug is a pest of considerable biosecurity concern to Australia & New Zealand’s agricultural industries. Known to hitchhike on cargo & containers, the bug is targeted by seasonal measures enforced by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Go to Australia Requirements for 2023/24
Go to New Zealand Requirements for 2023/24

Want the snapshot? Download our BMSB 2023/24 Guide here

Australia Seasonal Measures

BMSB measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target-risk countries, between 1 September and 30 April (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 Bill of Lading determines when goods are shipped. “Gate in” dates and times won’t be accepted to determine when goods are shipped.

 
What's new for the 2023-2024 Season 
  • New Master Consolidator (MC) Declaration Portal
  • Updated Master Consolidator User Guide for new MC Declaration Portal
  • Addition of Uzbekistan to Target Risk Countries
  • Publication of BMSB FAQ Page
 
Target Risk Countries 

BMSB Countries 2023-AU

 
Emerging Risk Countries 
  • 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)

 

Cargo Susceptible to BMSB Measures

Your goods may be categorized as either Target High-risk goods OR Target risk goods.

High-risk goods mandate BMSB treatment, while target-risk goods are only subject to increased onshore intervention through random inspection (i.e. treatment is non-mandatory).

While BMSB seasonal measures don’t apply to goods outside the high-risk and target risk categories, keep in mind, that if such goods are part of a container or consignment with any target or high-risk items, they may still be subject to seasonal measures.

Please refer to the below tariff classifications which have been categorized as High-risk goods or target-risk goods.

Note: There may be circumstances where goods may not be subject to the seasonal measures. Details from DAFF can be found HERE

Target Risk Goods-AU

 
What Measures Apply?

During the Stink Bug Season in Australia, the necessary measures for imported goods will vary based on the type of items you’re shipping and their shipping method. Below are some key points, further details can be found on the Department's website.

 
Target high-risk goods:
  • Target high-risk goods from target-risk countries must be treated by providers approved on the List of Treatment Providers. Certificates from unregistered or providers labelled as ‘suspended’, ‘withdrawn’, or ‘under review’ on the List of Treatment Providers won’t be accepted.
 
Breakbulk goods
  • Break bulk includes those goods shipped on flat racks and in open-top containers.
  • All target high-risk goods shipped as break bulk must be treated offshore prior to arrival into Australia.
  • Untreated break bulk will be directed for export.
  • Onshore treatment is not permitted.
 
Containerised goods (FCL, FCX)
  • Cargo arriving in sealed six hard-sided containers with target high-risk goods can be treated offshore, or onshore at the container level. Deconsolidation or removal of goods from the container will not be permitted prior to treatment.
  • A sealing declaration can be utilised for FCL / FCX containers in certain circumstances.
 
Containerised cargo (LCL, FAK)
  • LCL and FAK containers with target high-risk goods shipped from risk countries are treated for BMSB at the container level before deconsolidation.
  • After addressing the BMSB risk, the individual consignments within these containers are processed for other biosecurity measures at the FID level, if relevant.

 

Approved Treatment Methodologies & Service Providers
 
Containerised cargo (LCL, FAK)

For offshore providers, a list of sanctioned arrangement providers is available here.

For onshore providers, the Department has a ‘Approved arrangement search tool’ which can be found here.

If a treatment provider is suspended during the season, certificates they issued will be void, no matter the issue date. Consequently, goods will need to be retreated upon arrival, sent back to their origin, or properly disposed of.


Approved treatment methodologies

There are three approved BMSB treatments: Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigation; Methyl Bromide Fumigation; and
Heat treatment. For more information on Treatment types and rates for BMSB, refer to the Department's website.

 
Shipping LCL To Australia With Kerry Logistics
 
Untreatable Cargo

Cargo that does not fall into the Target High-Risk HS Chapters that is not able to be treated due to the treatment method being harmful to the product will be serviced as follows:

Untreatable Cargo-AU

  • Your declaration will be passed on to the Department of Agriculture as part of the Master Consolidators declaration at destination to gain release of the container. A no declaration no load policy will apply.
  • Untreatable cargo will be heavily scrutinized prior to shipment and may require BMSB declarations to be cosigned by the destination customs broker.
  • We strongly recommend you contact your overseas counterparts and assist them in understanding the consequences of cargo mis-declarations.

 

Direct Service Treatments

As in the previous seasons, Kerry Logistics will treat containers from Target Risk countries at FCL level offshore where possible. The below table outlines our treatment locations, treatment method and associated costs for our Direct Services which will be applied to all cargo moving from or via these locations.

Direct Service Treatment

 
Gateway Service Treatments

We are able to confirm in conjunction with our Gateway partners we will be offering treatment options in Singapore/Port Kelang and Hong Kong. Cargo will be treated at LCL level prior to movement to Australia. 

The Department of Agriculture will assess risk based on the load port lodged in your Sea Cargo Automation lodgment, as BMSB declaration will be required for all cargo booked in our Gateways. A copy of this BMSB declaration will be lodged with the DAFF along with our Master Consolidators declaration to enable the release of the container. No declaration no load policy will apply. 

 
Packaging

Impervious wrappings must be removed, opened or slashed prior to fumigation in such a way as to allow the treatment to come into contact with the goods, this must occur regardless of treatment location.

 
Gateways

Any cargo being booked via our Asian Gateways (Singapore/ Port Kelang/Hong Kong/Busan) will require the Shipper to disclose the country of Manufacture prior to bookings being accepted.

 
Cargo Mis-declarations

In previous seasons we encountered a significant number of cargo mis-declarations, which resulted in major cargo delays for everyone who had cargo in the containers. We ask that you consider your cargo is moving as LCL and the actions of your agents and shippers affect everyone in the container.
Any mis-declarations of cargo will incur significant costs including but not limited to

BMSB Mis-Declaration Fee
  1. Treatment Costs
  2. Container Detention Costs
  3. Re-Export and Import Costs
Payment of these costs will be required before the mis-declared goods will be released from the CFS facilities regardless of account facilities.
 
 
Department of Agriculture Inspections

As with last season, the department will continue to perform random inspections on containers that contain cargo from Target High risk and emerging-risk countries. All additional costs incurred will be apportioned by m3 to all consignees in effected containers.

 
Department of Agriculture FID Verification

FID verifications from DAFF will continue this season, to enable containers to be released ALL consignees must have FID’s submitted. Please ensure you lodge as early as possible to ensure the container is not delayed or additional costs incurred. Additional costs incurred maybe passed on to any party whos late FID affects our ability to unpack the container.

 

 

New Zealand Seasonal Measures

New Zealand-BMSB

New Zealand’s BMSB risk season starts on 1 September. This affects targeted vehicles, machinery, and parts shipped on or after this date, set to reach New Zealand by or on 30 April.

There is one exception to this rule: BMSB management is not required if target vehicles, machinery, and parts are loaded into a fully enclosed container which is sealed before 1 September and then exported before 1 October of the same year.

To use this exception you will need to provide evidence of container sealing in the form of the seal number and a date-stamped photo. More details are in the import health standard.

 
Target Risk Countries 
BMSB Countries 2023-NZ
 
BMSB Management

In accordance with requirements in various sections of this IHS, vehicles (land vehicles, aircraft and watercraft), machinery, parts and new tyres are captured by BMSB management when they: are exported from a country listed above, on or after 1st September; OR are used, moved to or stored in a country listed above for more than 5 days before being loaded in that country, on or after 1st September; AND they arrive in New Zealand on or before 30th April.

To assist with identifying target risk cargo, MPI has an online tool available here.

 
Sea Cargo from Italy

Italy is a Schedule 3 country with large populations of BMSB and increased associated risk. No types of vehicles, machinery and parts (including new tyres) are eligible for BMSB management exclusions under this IHS.

All Commodities ex Italy are classified as high risk and require OFFSHORE treatment in accordance with the MPI SEACO Import Health Standard. There are some exemptions as per ‘Schedule 3 – Sensitive goods’ (page 11 in the SEACO Import Health Standard)

A BMSB Treatment Certificate is required for all offshore treatments and will be carried out by an approved offshore treatment provider.


LCL Treatment

All cargo, unless explicitly advised by the supplier or consignee as being sensitive and unable to undertake Sulfuryl Fluoride Treatment, will be treated prior to shipping. The current list of products considered as sensitive are:

  • Agricultural Compounds and veterinary medicines
  • Food for human consumption (including beverages)
  • Fresh produce
  • Frozen food products
  • Live animals leather goods (apparel and furniture)
  • Pet food
  • Pharmaceutical products
  • Polyurethane foam products bales
  • Refrigerated goods
  • Seed for sowing
  • Textiles (including yarn)
 
LCL Treatment Certificates

LCL treatment certificates are generally not required to be submitted by the Customs Broker and therefore will not be sent unless requested.

 
MPI Guidelines for Loading FCL

MPI periodically requires containers (and cargo) to be treated to kill pests and recommends containers are packed with enough space (≥200 mm around the contents of the container) to allow for treatment.

Note: If containers are too full and there is insufficient space for circulation and sensors for treatment, MPI may consider the biosecurity risk is too great to allow unloading; and such containers are likely to be rejected and re-shipped out of New Zealand.

 
No BACC No Discharge

MPI will not allow the discharge of freight from a vessel that has originated from a Schedule 3 country unless a BACC has been processed.

 
Processing Time Frames

Based on last year, the BACC application and processing time frames sometimes exceeded two working weeks. MPI have since recruited 30+ new Target Evaluators who process the applications, and a further 100 inspection staff 70 of which will be based in Auckland. MPI is confident that they can also stream their work queue more efficiently and hope to keep the application process down to less than a week.

 
What Can You Do To Avoid Delays?
  • We strongly recommend you forward all your documentation to us as early as possible - this applies to all shipments irrespective of origin and sensitivity.
  • Even though your freight is on the exemption list, you will still need a BACC. If your freight typically needs a BACC (e.g.: wooden furniture from China) the application will be caught in the upcoming backlog.

 

Notices

Company

Locations