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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) in New Zealand, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in Australia.
Want the snapshot? Download our BMSB 2024/25 Guide here
Australia Seasonal Measures
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is ranked 9th on Australia's National Priority Plant Pests list. it has the potential to severely impact Australia and New Zealand agricultural industries, as it is known to feed on around 300 different plant species, severely damaging fruit and vegetable crops.
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 transship 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 2024-2025 Season
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For the 2024/2025 Season, the main measures remain unchanged.
- China and the Republic of Korea have been added for heightened vessel surveillance only
- All break bulk, flat racks and open tops (including in-gauge) must be treated offshore prior to arrival into Australia
- Tariff 94 & 95 are subject to random inspection for emerging risk countries only
- You can check detailed information on the BMSB FAQ Page
Target Risk Countries
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
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
We can help you with this seasonal requirement. If you would like to know more about our LCL Services, please click here.
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:
- 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.
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
- Treatment Costs
- Container Detention Costs
- Re-Export and Import Costs
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 whose late FID affects our ability to unpack the container.
We can help you navigate this seasonal requirement:
New Zealand Seasonal Measures
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 a consignment is loaded into a fully enclosed container which is sealed before 1 September and then exported before 1 October of the same year. Photographic evidence is required plus screenshots of Gated In dates and other relevant milestones.
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.
For the 2024/2025 BMSB Season, there are no significant updates to the process for New Zealand. For more information, you can check the official requirements by MPI by clicking here.
Target Risk Countries
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.
We can help you navigate this seasonal requirement:
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.
Why Partner with Kerry Logistics
Selecting Kerry Logistics as your trusted partner isn't just a choice—it's a strategic move towards ensuring your success. Our commitment to excellence is not just a promise; it's a guarantee. With a global network that's both vast and meticulously managed, we stand head and shoulders above the competition. This means you benefit directly from unparalleled service quality, ensuring your supply chain needs are met with precision, efficiency, and minimal hassle.
Are you ready to elevate your logistics game and experience seamless support tailored to your unique needs? Let's discuss how we can bring unparalleled value to your business.
