10 November 2023
Who does this notice affect?
Importers of Canadian timber products and their customs brokers
What has changed?
From 1 December 2023, the department will recognise that brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) contamination is managed on consignments of sawn wood/timber that are produced through the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Canadian Heat Treated Wood Products Certification Program (HT Program) between 1 December and 30 April each year.
This recognition means that the Seasonal BMSB Measures will not apply to sawn wood/timber produced through the HT Program and exported between these dates.
Importers utilising this pathway will need to provide the required documentation for assessment and use a specific AEI code when lodging their consignment in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). Import conditions, including documentation requirements and the AEI code, will be published in approximately mid-November, 2023, in the BICON cases: Timber and timber products; and Logs, log cabins and oversize timber.
BMSB management
- The BMSB season is from 1 September to 30 April each year.
- Sawn wood/timber produced through the HT program will be subject to BMSB measures if produced and exported between 1 September – 30 November.
- Sawn wood/timber certified as being produced under the HT Program between 1 December (and consequently exported after 1 December) and 30 April of the BMSB season will not be subject to BMSB measures. From 1 December each year in the northern hemisphere, BMSB does not further contaminate goods.
- BMSB contamination is managed through handling and processing that occurs during production of heat treated sawn wood/timber through the HT Program after 1 December.
Importing requirements for HT program goods
A ‘Heat Treatment Certificate for Exports to Australia’, specific to the HT program, will be required to accompany these goods. Details of the HT Program and certification requirements can be found in the CFIA Directive D-13-01.
The certificate will need to include:
- the botanical name of the sawn wood/timber (year-round requirement)
- evidence that the wood has been heat treated to at least 56°C at its core for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes (year-round requirement)
- the following statement: ‘The sawn wood in this shipment was surfaced on all four sides, trimmed and inspected and is free from brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)’ if the goods are produced and exported between 1 December and 30 April.
Further information
Please consult the current BICON case ‘Timber and timber products’ or ‘Logs, log cabins and oversize timber’ for a BICON alert that also details the intended changes.
Please contact the department by the following ways:
- Email imports@aff.gov.au (please use the subject ‘Plant Tier 2 – Canadian sawn wood’).
- Phone (from within Australia): 1800 900 090
- Phone (from outside Australia): + 61 3 8318 6700