NAVIGATION

News

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Season 2025-2026

Attention: Shipping Manager

 

The 2025-2026 BMSB season will shortly be commencing; from departure at origin 1st September 2025 to arrival in Australia by 30th April 2026 (inclusive).  We would like to remind you of the strict measures that are in place for all cargo originating in target risk countries and to vessels that berth, load or tranship from target risk countries within the same period. The shipped on board date, as indicated on the Bill of Lading, is the date used to determine when the goods have been shipped.

The measures for 2025-2026 remain similar to previous seasons, with China, Japan, Republic of Korea and United Kingdon identified as emerging risk countries. Ethyl Formate has been approved as a BMSB treatment option for offshore treatment only.

As per previous seasons, BMSB fumigation must be completed by a treatment provider that is registered and approved by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF). A list of approved fumigators can be found at:

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/before/prepare/treatment-outside-australia/pre-border-biosecurity-treatment-providers

In certain circumstances, a treatment provider’s approved status may be withdrawn by DAFF at any time, rendering any fumigation certificates issued for goods in transit unacceptable.

 

Target risk countries:

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • China (heightened vessel surveillance only)
  • Croatia
  • Czechia
  • France
  • Japan (heightened vessel surveillance only).
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Italy
  • Kazakhstan
  • Republic of Korea (heightened vessel surveillance only)
  • 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

 

Emerging Risk Countries:

  • China
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • United Kingdom

 

  • Random inspections will apply to goods shipped from United Kingdom, China, Japan and Republic of Korea between 1 September 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.

 

Check if your goods need to comply with the seasonal measures

  • Will the goods be shipped between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive)?
  • Will the goods be shipped as sea cargo?
  • Have the goods been manufactured in, or shipped from, a target risk country?
  • Are the goods categorised as target high risk or target risk goods?

If you have answered yes to all the above questions, then BMSB measures will apply to your goods. The same conditions will apply for both new and used goods.

High risk HS codes can be found at the following link:-

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs#target-goods-subject-to-the-measures

The seasonal measures only apply to the goods being imported, not to the packaging material / non-commodity.

 

Goods shipped as break-bulk (including flat rack and open top containers) or in modified containers:

As with previous seasons, mandatory off shore treatment is required for target high risk goods which are:

  • manufactured in or shipped from a target risk country between 1 September and 30 April; and
  • shipped as break-bulk cargo (including flat rack and open top containers), or in modified containers

For goods treated prior to 1 December, a 120 hour post treatment window applies after they have been treated.

The 120 hour timeframe commences after treatment has been completed or when ventilation commences. For example, for:

  • Fumigation treatment, goods may be treated and treatment seals left intact. The post treatment window will commence when ventilation commences.
  • Heat treatment, the post treatment window commences immediately after treatment has been completed.

Break bulk (including flat racks and open top containers) and modified containers– must be loaded onto a vessel for export from the target risk country within 120 hours. The shipped on board date, as indicated on the Ocean Bill of Lading, is the date used to determine whether break bulk is loaded within the 120 hour post treatment window.

Note: The ‘place and date of issue’ is insufficient to confirm the goods were loaded on the vessel.

Note: The post treatment window does NOT apply to goods treated in a non-target risk country, or to goods treated from 1 December (inclusive) of the current BMSB season.

Goods that arrive untreated or with an unacceptable fumigation certificate will be denied discharge from the vessel and/or directed for export on arrival.

 

Airfreight

Random inspections will apply to target high risk goods shipped as airfreight from the United States of America and China between 1st September to 30th April (inclusive). BMSB treatment of these goods will not be required.

Further information regarding BMSB and treatment requirements can be found at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs