16 October 2018
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including freight forwarders, importers, customs brokers and master consolidators—associated with importing goods that require increased intervention during the BMSB risk season (shipped between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 inclusive).
What has changed?
The department previously advised (Industry Advice Notice 131-2018) the process to manage the onshore risk posed by BMSB through LCL (less than container load) and FAK (freight of all kind) containers. Information outlining this process is published on a dedicated Management of LCL and FAK containers during the BMSB season webpage, for goods shipped from both target and non-target risk countries between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 inclusive.
To streamline the highly manual and complex process of managing onshore treatments of LCL/FAK containers at the container level, amendments to department’s electronic systems and processes were required. Despite the department activating cargo report profiles to manage container level holds on LCL/FAK containers, issues impacting the system’s ability to process the containers were identified and the cargo report profiles were deactivated on 11 October 2018. As a result, the implementation of cargo report holds on LCL/FAK containers is delayed until further notice.
In the interim, all LCL/FAK containers shipped from target risk countries will be allowed to move under bond, deconsolidate, and be managed at the consignment (Full Import Declaration - FID) level.
To assist with the assessment of consignments at FID level:
- Master Consolidators are required to provide Customs brokers with valid offshore treatment certificates if the LCL/FAK container has been treated at the container level
- Customs brokers are required to submit all supporting documentation (including valid offshore treatment certificates linking it to individual consignments) through COLS as part of the standard process. For LCL consignments, brokers are not expected to lodge documents at the container level.
Once the system issues are addressed, the department will advise when the cargo report profiles will be activated to manage LCL/FAK containers shipped from target risk countries.
Please note the standard process to manage BMSB consignments at FID level will continue to apply after the activation of cargo report holds to capture any untreated consignments in a LCL/FAK container.
As previously advised, industry are encouraged to have their target high risk goods treated by an approved treatment provider offshore where possible.
Cargo reports and FIDs should be lodged as accurately and as early as possible to assist with identifying and assessing these consignments.
Master Consolidators contact information
To assist with the future implementation of the LCL/FAK container process, Master Consolidators involved in the LCL/FAK container process are required to contact Air and Sea Cargo and provide the following details:
- Company name
- ABN (please provide each ABN if different for different ports of discharge)
- Account number if you are an existing account holder with the department
- Contact person
- Port of Discharge in Australia
- Address
- Email address
- Contact number.
Further information
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.
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.
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 regarding the policy for BMSB measures, visit the Seasonal Measures for BMSB webpage or contact Air and Sea Cargo.
For queries relating to the assessment and processing of LCL/FAK containers and consignments, please contact BMSB processing.
Privacy Notice
Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. Personal information that is collected under or in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2015 is also 'protected information' under the Biosecurity Act.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources collects your 'protected information' including personal and sensitive information in relation to this request to Master Consolidators to contact the department by email under the Biosecurity Act 2015 for the purposes of managing the LCL and FAK containers for BMSB seasonal measures and related purposes. If you fail to provide some or all of the relevant personal information requested in this advice the department may be unable to process the management of containers held for BMSB purposes. Information collected by the department will only be used or disclosed as authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The department may disclose your personal information to other Commonwealth/State agencies. It will not usually be disclosed overseas. In every case it will only be disclosed if authorised by the Biosecurity Act 2015.
See our Privacy Policy to learn more about accessing or correcting personal information or making a complaint. Alternatively, telephone the department on +61 2 6272 3933.