8 March 2018
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to clients in the import and shipping industries, including importers and customs brokers, associated with the importation of Italian goods during the BMSB risk season (goods shipped between 1 September 2017 to 30 April 2018 inclusive).
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) has found significant numbers of BMSB on arrival in Australia in various types of goods arriving from Italy. The department has recently reviewed the risk of failed offshore treatments of goods shipped via sea cargo from Italy with detections of live insects including BMSB.
To manage the risk posed by these goods, any sulfuryl fluoride treatment certificates issued by ANY Italian treatment provider that is presented to the department from 9 March 2018 will no longer be accepted. Any Italian goods shipped on or before 30 April 2018 will be required to undergo an approved BMSB treatment onshore unless they have been treated offshore using an approved BMSB treatment. Treatment certificates for approved BMSB treatments, other than sulfuryl fluoride, from Italy will still be accepted.
Exceptions from onshore BMSB treatment continues to apply to goods already treated with one of the approved offshore BMSB treatments, or that fall within one of the excluded tariff groups:
- Fresh produce (including nursery stock and live plants)
- Live animals
- Food for human consumption (including beverages)
- Seeds for sowing
- Registered pharmaceuticals
All other goods (FCL, FCX and LCL) arriving from Italy (including new and unused goods), including those already en route to Australia, will require treatment on arrival using methyl bromide, or another approved treatment for BMSB. These measures are in addition to existing import requirements. The department will inspect randomly selected containers post treatment to validate treatment effectiveness and to collect intelligence to determine future measures.
Due to increased risk measures, profiles have been created to refer relevant entries to AIMS. Brokers must lodge all documentation relating to the consignment into the COLS system and ensure that all documents meet the department’s documentary requirements. As the department is no longer accepting goods treated with sulfuryl fluoride from Italy, there is no requirement to record the AEI for these sulfuryl fluorides treatment certificates.
Importers shipping consignments to Australia during the BMSB risk season should ensure their stakeholders are aware of the risk of BMSB infestation and the importance of preventing infestation prior to shipping.
When deconsolidating goods, care should be taken to inspect locations where BMSB may congregate, including crevices or protected areas of shipping containers, inside the goods, or within packaging material. If BMSB are detected, operators and staff must follow normal procedures to secure goods to limit any movement of insects and notify the department immediately.
Similarly, importers who detect live BMSB must secure and contain the goods and contact the department immediately.
If you see something that could have entered Australia with imported goods report it to See. Secure. Report. on 1800 798 636 or complete the online form.
Further information
Under the Biosecurity Charges Imposition (General) Regulation 2016 and the Biosecurity Regulation 2016, fees are payable to the department for all services. Details on how the department applies fees and levies can be found in the charging guidelines.
For further information on the 2017-18 measures, please see the Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs webpage or contact Air and Sea Cargo.
Any further changes to the 2017-18 measures will be published in industry advice notices and via social media. To receive notification of changes, go to the subscription centre to request an email when a new industry notice is issued, or go to the department’s twitter account, @DeptAgNews.