19/7/2018

To our Valued Customers,

Importers of products from the USA and/or Europe would be well aware of measures enforced by the Department of Agriculture & Water Resources (DAWR) during our summer months to combat the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).

The next BMSB season is now approaching and for those unaware, the Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is not found in Australia and therefore needs to be kept out. It could severely impact our agricultural industries. The bug can arrive in Australia on cargo and containers shipped between September and April which coincides with late autumn and winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

BRi would like to inform our clients that new seasonal measures will apply for goods originating in BMSB countries which are shipped between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 inclusive.

These measures will include mandatory treatment and increased intervention before arrival into Australian territory. BRi will inform our clients once measures are finalised however the DAWR have provided draft measures, categorising different risk assessed countries and goods which should be considered.

Target risk countries will be USA, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Georgia.  Roll on/roll off vessels arriving from Japan will also be under surveillance.

“Target high risk goods” must be treated prior to departure from overseas. Failure to do so will result in a direction to re-export or destroy such shipments. Goods falling under this category are break bulk vehicles, machinery (and parts), bricks, tiles, ceramics, steel, stone and cement, along with goods likely to be stored in a manner that provides access for BMSB over winter.

“Target risk goods” will incur increased DAWR intervention upon arrival, including treatment here in Australia. Goods falling under this category are chemicals, chemical products, salt, minerals, fertilisers, plastics, wadding, tyres, wood pulp, printed matter, straw, paper and cardboard.

Treatment options will be heat treatment, methyl bromide fumigation or sulfuryl fluoride fumigation.

BRi will continue to keep clients updated of any developments.

Please feel free to contact your BRi customs brokerage department should you have any queries in relation to the 2018/19 BMSB season.

Keeping you updated,

BRi Customs Team

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