News
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season 2023-2024
Attention: Shipping Manager
The 2023 -2024 BMSB season is about to commence, from departure at origin 1st September 2023 to arrival in Australia by 30th April 2024 (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 2023-2024 remain similar to last season, with one new addition to the risk countries (Uzbekistan), however, no there are no changes to the emerging risk countries.
Target Risk Countries
- 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 United Kingdom and China have been identified as emerging risk countries for the 2023-2024 BMSB season and may be selected for random onshore inspection.
- United Kingdom – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 December to 30 April (inclusive)
- China – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 September to 31 December (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 1st September 2023 and 30th April 2024 (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 categorized 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:-
The seasonal measures only apply to the goods being imported, not to the packaging material / non-commodity.
Please note: Mandatory offshore treatment applies for all target high risk goods shipped as break bulk, including those shipped in open top or as flat rack containers. There are no provisions for onshore treatment of these goods and goods will be directed for export. If treated offshore, the goods must be shipped on board within 120 hours of the completion of treatment (if treated prior to 1 December).
Onshore treatment
There are three approved BMSB treatments:-
· Methyl Bromide
· Sulfuryl Fluoride
· Heat Treatment
Where onshore treatment of goods is permitted, you can find a list of approved arrangement providers on the department’s website.
Offshore treatment
The Offshore Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Treatment Providers Scheme sets out the department’s registration and compliance requirements for BMSB treatment providers, including compliance with applicable treatment methodologies.
Further information can be found on the Offshore BMSB treatment providers scheme webpage.
More information can be found at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs
