This is an advance notice that Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season starts again on 1st September and runs to 30th April 2025. This means MPI has extra requirements for imported cargo from countries that have BMSB populations.
Broadly, the procedures and requirements are the same as last season. This means for our LCL containers from Japan, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Spain, we can only take cargo that is either low-risk (eg food) or high-risk goods (eg auto parts) that are accompanied by a declaration that the cargo was manufactured indoors and stored indoors prior to export.
Italy is at the most risk of infestation and has a separate procedure. All LCL containers need to be treated for BMSB before they load on the ship. The process we use is heat treatment where hot air is circulated around the container until it reaches 60 Deg C. So, cargo that is shipped as LCL needs to be packed in a way that will not be damaged by this process.
Cargo that is transhipped via Singapore or Hong Kong but originates from BSMB countries will be stopped in the transshipment port for treatment.
FCL loads from any of these countries also need to comply:
| Albania | Bosnia | France | Japan | Netherlands | Slovakia |
| Andorra | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Georgia | Kosovo | Poland | Spain |
| Armenia | Bulgaria | Germany | Liechtenstein | Portugal | Switzerland |
| Austria | Canada | Greece | Luxemburg | Romania | Turkey |
| Azerbaijan | Croatia | Hungary | Macedonia | Russia | Ukraine |
| Belgium | Czech Republic | Italy | Moldova | Serbia | USA |
The procedure is the same as last season. Any risk goods (eg engine parts) will need to have a manufacturers declaration confirming the cargo is new and was produced indoors and stored indoors prior to export. If cargo is not new or stored indoors, it will need to be treated for BMSB by either fumigation or heat treatment.
FCL’s from Italy will all require treatment (either fumigation or heat treatment) unless they are considered sensitive cargo by MPI. Examples of sensitive cargo are food, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.
The other category of cargo to bring to your attention is any goods that need to move in open top containers or flat racks. These are very high risk of BMSB infestation as they are open to the environment. MPI requires all shipments of these container types to be treated for BMSB prior to loading. The MPI window for flat racks and open tops treatment at origin is only 5 days between treatment and loading on a vessel. This is a very small window that requires a lot of planning.
This year we are introducing a BMSB Administration Fee of US$35 per shipment on all LCL and FCL cargo from the USA and Canada to New Zealand and Australia.
If you require any additional information or clarification on the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.
As you may be aware the Department of Agriculture has released the measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season 2022-23.
The 2022-23 BMSB seasonal measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured and shipped from the below target risk countries that have departed between 1 September 2022 and 30 April 2023 (inclusive), and to vessels that berth, load, or trans-ship from target risk countries within the same period.
Any target high-risk or target-risk goods which are manufactured in or shipped from the target risk countries will be subject to the BMSB seasonal measures. Any vessel that berths at, loads, or trans-ships from the target risk countries is also subject to the BMSB seasonal measures.
Target Risk Countries
| Albania | Andorra | Armenia | Austria | Azerbaijan |
| Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Canada | Croatia |
| Czech Republic | France | Georgia | Germany | Greece |
| Hungary | Italy | Kazakhstan | Kosovo | Liechtenstein |
| Luxemburg | Montenegro | Moldova | Netherlands | Poland |
| Portugal | Republic of North Macedonia | Romania | Russia | Serbia |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Switzerland | Turkey |
| Ukraine | USA |
Japan (heightened vessel surveillance will be the only measure applied).
The following countries have been identified as emerging risk countries for the 2022-23 BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection: United Kingdom and China
All shipments from target countries (regardless of if high risk goods or not) will have to be declared to the departments of Agriculture.
Target Risk Goods are found here
In addition, the Department of Agriculture continues to review the changing risk status of BMSB and will also be undertaking random onshore inspections on goods from other emerging risk countries to verify pest absence in goods.
During this season it is very likely, that your overseas agents or supplier will be asking for the HS code as it will be lodged to Australian customs and for any routed orders from High-risk countries, we will be asking the same.
For any target risk goods treatment will be done at origin. Regardless of whether the freight terms are prepaid or collect treatment fees will be collected in Australia.
Important Information
If you have any questions regarding the BSMB season, feel free to contact our Import Team imports@oceanbridgeshipping.com.au or for more information feel free to consult the Department of Agriculture website.
