1 September 2020
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including Master Consolidators, vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principal agents—associated with shipping or importing goods that require increased intervention during the 2020-21 BMSB risk season.
What has changed?
In response to the rapid expansion of BMSB throughout Europe and North America, the department retains the seasonal measures to manage the BMSB risk to Australia. The measures remain essentially the same as last season, with the major change for the 2020-21 BMSB season being the addition of four (4) countries to the target risk country list. These countries are Kazakhstan, Portugal, Moldova and Ukraine.
For this season, heightened biosecurity measures continue to apply to:
- certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, and/or
- vessels that berth at, load or tranship from target risk countries
These measures apply to goods shipped from 1 September 2020 and that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Target high risk goods shipped between 1 September and 30 April require mandatory treatment, and will be referred for intervention if they arrive by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Goods shipped prior to 30 April that arrive after 31 May may be subject to intervention as required.
The department strongly recommends goods subject to the measures are treated offshore to reduce delays and storage costs at the border. Onshore capacity for treatment and storage of BMSB risk cargo may be limited.
Where goods are unable to be treated offshore, please ensure containers are packed suitably for effective onshore treatment. Please refer to the guidance factsheets on consignment suitability and treatment methodologies to ensure goods are suitable for BMSB treatments.
Where goods are deemed not suitable for onshore treatment, they will be directed to a Class 4.7AA site for a secure unpack or directed for export. NB: the uptake and registration of class 4.7 approved arrangements is a commercial decision, therefore, there may be limited availability in some states.
All break bulk cargo, including open top, flat rack and modified shippers own containers require mandatory treatment offshore. These cargo types cannot be treated onshore. Goods that do not comply with BMSB measures will be denied discharge prior to arrival and / or exported on arrival for treatment offshore.
For further information on the 2020-21 seasonal measures please visit the BMSB webpage.
Master Consolidator Identification (MC ID) Registration and Declarations
Continuing from last season, Less than Container Load (LCL) consignments and Freight of All Kinds (FAK) containers with target high risk goods, will be managed at the container level.
Master Consolidators are required to register with the department and be allocated an individual Master Consolidator Identification number (MC ID). This MC ID must be used for all declarations made for the LCL/FAK process during the BMSB risk season.
Previously registered MCs do not need re-register for this season. However, please ensure registration details are up to date prior to season commencement. Please email updates to spp@awe.gov.au.
Registration and further information including how to lodge a declaration is available on the Management of LCL/ FAK webpage.
Safeguarding
The Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme is available for the 2020-21 BMSB Season. The scheme provides an alternate clearance pathway for goods imported as sea cargo during the BMSB risk season.
To expand the accessibility of the Safeguarding Arrangements scheme, the import volumes required to be eligible for the scheme are now a minimum import volume of 50 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) (i.e. 25 40ft containers).
Safeguarding Arrangement applications for the 2020-21 season are now open, details available on the Safeguarding webpage.
Offshore Treatment Providers Scheme
The department and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries will again manage the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme aligning treatment options, rates and compliance requirements.
All BMSB treatment providers in target risk countries must be registered under the scheme to be able to conduct BMSB treatments. Treatments conducted by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country will not be recognised as valid and will be referred for intervention on arrival.
Treatment providers in non-BMSB target risk countries who will be regularly conducting BMSB treatments are encouraged to register onto the offshore BMSB treatment provides scheme.
Treatment providers that were registered during the 2019-20 BMSB season must complete a renewal application for the 2020-21 season. Applications to renew or become a new provider under the 2020-21 Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme can be found on the Offshore BMSB treatments webpage.
As treatment providers are approved, they will be listed on the List of Offshore Treatment Providers webpage.
Treatment reporting requirements - AEI
The Entity Identifier (AEI) number will again play a key role in identifying target high risk goods that have been treated for BMSB concerns offshore during the 2020-21 BMSB season.
Customs Brokers must enter the AEI for any treatments performed by an approved offshore BMSB treatment provider.
The AEI is now required to only be entered against the first tariff line of the import declaration. The only exception is for BMSB treatments of break bulk cargo, where the AEI still needs to be entered against every line of target high risk goods.
Please refer to the AEI reporting web page and guide to assist customs brokers and self-reporting importers with the reporting requirements for the AEI number.
Further information
For further information regarding BMSB seasonal measures, can be found on the BMSB webpage agriculture.gov.au/bmsb or for policy information email spp@aff.gov.au.
The Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) hitchhiker pest BICON case has been updated for the 2020-21 risk season and will be published shortly.
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.