Yesterday (02 February 2021), the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) issued Industry Advice Notice IAN 17-2021, titled: Further detail on khapra beetle actions for sea containers and associated information sessions. Â
The notice is addressed to all stakeholders in the import and shipping industries, including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain.
The new measures for sea cargo containers will be implemented in two stages: Phase 6A (target risk containers) and Phase 6B (high-risk containers).
Phase 6A: New measures for target risk sea containers
Phase 6A will introduce offshore treatment requirements for target risk shipping containers from 12 April 2021. To comply with the new measures, all target risk containers exported on or after 12 April 2021 must be treated and accompanied by a valid treatment certificate or phytosanitary certificate.
A target risk container is defined as a:
– FCL/FCX container carrying high-risk plant products and loaded in a khapra beetle target risk country
– FCL/FCX container shipped from a khapra beetle target risk country and destined to a rural grain growing area of Australia.
Note: ISO tanks, reefers, flat racks, LCL /FAK and containers that will be shipped as empty containers are excluded from the measures.
Target risk containers will be required to be treated offshore prior to loading the goods using one of these options:
– Methyl bromide fumigation
– Heat treatment
– Insecticide spray
Phase 6B: New measures for high-risk sea containers
Phase 6B is expected to commence in late 2021 and will introduce measures to a broader range of containers (i.e. all high-risk containers). Further information about these measures, including details on consultation, will be made available as soon as we receive further advice from DAWE.
Contact us with any questions you may have about your import cargo and quarantine issues. As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, Colless Young offers correct advice on all your shipping and transport needs. We offer a complete range of logistics services, both air and sea, through all Australian ports and airports, including clearance through customs, warehousing and fumigation.
