The current Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season began on 01 September. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) continues to make adjustments to the risk management system, and have issued an update this week. Below are a few extracted passages that will be of interest to importers.
Seasonal Mixed Goods Consignments
With the festive season coming up, DAFF often sees containers that are packed with Stink Bug ‘target risk goods’ having promotional or gifts packed in from suppliers in the lead up to Christmas. These goods are often tariffed as target high risk goods and render the container subject to BMSB measures. In the past they have seen free promotional material added in such as glasses, metal champagne buckets etc all of which are tariffed as target high risk goods.
Importers are asked to ensure that if suppliers are placing these goods in the container, they are made aware of the requirements for BMSB and goods are treated accordingly prior to packing in containers.
Containers which are packed with a mix of target risk together with non-target goods, will be assessed for BMSB at the highest risk level.
Containers that are packed containing target high risk goods will require mandatory treatment for BMSB. Deconsolidation or removal of goods will not be permitted prior to the treatment in Australia. Containers that arrive with untreated target high risk goods will be directed for treatment onshore, and where this treatment cannot be conducted at the container level, the whole container will be directed for export.
Change from Inspection Procedure
Containerised goods selected for random BMSB verification inspection were previously directed as ‘Inspect (Secure – Seals Intact)’ inspections completed under the supervision of one of DAFF’s Biosecurity Officers.
For the new Stink Bug season, DAFF will be conducting random inspections as ‘Inspect (Unpack)’ inspections when conducted at an ‘Approved Arrangement’ premises. These container unpacks will not be required to be completed under Biosecurity supervision.
Participants will be required to collect container sweepings once the container is unpacked and present these with the goods at the time of inspection by a Biosecurity officer.
Inspect (Unpack) direction example: FCL containers
BMSB Inspection Required.
The ‘industry participant’ (person responsible) must clean the floor of container after unpack and secure contaminants in a durable and sealed bag/receptable to be kept with the unpacked goods. Secured contaminants must be presented to a Biosecurity officer at inspection. If live insects are detected on opening container doors/during unpack, immediately close the doors, secure any unpacked goods and live insects, apply knockdown spray if required and notify DAFF.
For more information about Stink Bugs, visit the DAFF website or talk to us here at Colless Young.
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.
