2023-2024 seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry releases seasonal measures each year to protect Australian agriculture from the Brown Marmorated Stink bug (BMSB) wich can severely damage local crops.
The 2023-24 BMSB seasonal measures will apply to target high risk goods manufactured and shipped from target high risk countries, that have been shipped between 1 September 2023 and 30 April 2024 (inclusive). Vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries within the same period will also be subject to BMSB measures.
A few key changes to take note of:
- New Master Consolidator (MC) Declaration Portal
- Addition of Uzbekistan to the Target Risk Country List
- A newly created BMSB FAQ webpage is now available to use
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.
The Australian government has continued close cooperation with New Zealand to ensure optimal consistency in both countries.
In conjunction with New Zealand MPI, New Zealand and Australia will not be conducting BMSB treatments for each other.
Goods bound for Australia cannot be treated for BMSB in New Zealand and vice versa. For example, if the goods have been exported from New Zealand for not meeting BMSB import conditions, they will not be permitted to be treated in Australia.
BMSB measures for goods
BMSB seasonal measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries and to vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries within the same period.
- 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 random inspection.
- 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.
Target risk countries
The following countries below have been categorised as target risk:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Czechia
- France
- Japan (heightened vessel surveillance only)
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Montenegro
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United States of America
- Uzbekistan (new)
The following countries have been identified as emerging risk countries for the -BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection: United Kingdom and China
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)
In addition to the target high risk goods, chapters 39, 94 and 95 will be subject to random inspections for emerging risk countries only.
Contact us for any international shipping inquiries to/from Italy-Australia/New Zealand!
