Seasonal Measures for BMSB ‘Stink Bugs’:
The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is making preparations for this year’s ‘Stink Bug’ season. The bug, known officially as Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is one of the species we refer to as ‘hitchhiker pests.’ It is not found in Australia and needs to be kept out. It can arrive inside shipping containers and on cargo consigned between September and April each year. This coincides with autumn and winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
DAFF advises that BMSB seasonal measures will once again apply to targeted goods manufactured in, or shipped from, target risk countries, that have been shipped between 01 September and 30 April (inclusive), and to vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries within the same period.
WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR?
Applications for DAFF’s Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme
DAFF is now accepting applications for importers wishing to participate in their Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme for the upcoming 2023-24 BMSB season.
Approved applicants of the previous 2022-23 BMSB season wishing to reapply will now only be required to supply an ABF import report for the previous 12 months. New applicants will still be required to supply an ABF import report for the previous three years.
Additional information has been added to the government website to aid applicants in determining if their Australian unpack location/s are in a metropolitan or rural location according to DAFF’s postcode delivery classifications. Currently unpack locations in rural locations cannot be accepted under the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme.
DAFF is accepting applications from 31 July 2023 through to 30 January 2024. The Scheme offers an alternative clearance pathway for goods imported as sea cargo in ‘hard six-sided’ shipping containers during the BMSB risk season.
Applicants are encouraged to utilise the guidance material on DAFF’s website to assist in the development of their supporting documentation. They have added a FAQs page and further information can be found on the Safeguarding webpage. Call us here at Colless Young if you need any assistance.
Target Countries
DAFF has a comprehensive list of target risk countries on their website. Important changes to note this year are:
Uzbekistan has been added to the list.
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 01 September to 31 December (inclusive).
United Kingdom – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 01 December to 30 April (inclusive).
In addition to the target high risk goods, commodities that are classified to Customs Tariff chapters 39, 94 and 95 will be subject to random inspections for emerging risk countries only.
Note re Dates: 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 are not acceptable to determine when goods are shipped.
DAFF always reminds importers that it is their responsibility to continue to ensure that any goods imported are free of biosecurity risk material throughout the year, not just during periods of heightened seasonal measures.
If this hitchhiking stink bug pest manages to sneak into the country, it could severely impact our agricultural industries. Juveniles and adults feed on, and can severely damage, fruit and vegetable crops, rendering them unsellable or reducing production yields. Stink bugs can also be a nuisance, entering vehicles, homes and factories for shelter over winter.
Read our related articles on other hitchhiker pests HERE.
As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, Colless Young professionally handles shipping and customs & quarantine clearance of all your import consignments by both sea cargo and airfreight. We provide a complete range of services including fumigation treatment, trucking, warehousing and exporting. We are based in Brisbane and offer logistics facilities through all Australian ports and airports.
