Stink Bug Season Ends, Prepare for the Next One

This week the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) issued notice 79-2020: Conclusion of the 2019-2020 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Risk Season.

The notice is addressed to: stakeholders in the import and shipping industries – including Master Consolidators, vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principle agents.

On 31 May, DAWE ceased its measures for the 2019 -20 BMSB risk season. Goods shipped or vessels departing from BMSB identified target risk countries on or after 01 May 2020, will no longer be subject to the BMSB seasonal measures, including the Seasonal Pest Inspection (SPI) on arrival.

DAWE has also advised our industry concerning 2020-21 Proposed Seasonal Measures, which will apply from 01 September 2020 to arrival in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).  

These remain consistent with the season just finished, with the addition of three new countries to the list: Portugal, Ukraine and Moldova.

Measures will apply to:
• certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, and/or
• vessels that berth at, load or tranship from target risk countries
– from 01 September 2020 and that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).

Goods must be treated if exported between 01 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 inclusive. Goods arriving from 01 June 2021 will not be subject to BMSB measures.

The simplified dates next season for goods exported from 01 September and arriving by 31 May, removes the confusion this year where DAWE said they may intervene on consignments arriving after 31 May and into June.

As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, Colless Young offers you professional advice on all your freight and clearance through Customs and Quarantine. We are based in Brisbane and handle shipping and transport at all major ports around Australia.