11 October 2018
Who does this notice affect?
Customs brokers, freight forwarders and importers of goods subject to brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) measures.
What has changed?
The department has made templates available for the following declaration types on the preparing to import during BMSB season webpage.
BMSB sealing declaration
This document can be used to demonstrate that goods were sealed inside a container prior to 1 September 2018 or after treatment. This document is required where:
- goods were containerised prior to 1 September but shipped after this date
- the bill of lading does not state the shipped on board date
- goods were sealed inside a container within 120 hours of treatment occurring offshore
BMSB 120 hour tranship/transit declarations by road and by sea
These documents can be used to demonstrate the amount of time break bulk, open top or flat rack containers subject to BMSB measures spent in a target country. These documents are required where:
- goods were treated in a target risk country and shipped to a non-target risk country within 120 hours of treatment
- goods were treated in a non-target risk country but transhipped via a target risk country within 120 hours of treatment
- goods were shipped from a non-target risk country, transited a target risk country but did not spend longer than 120 hours in the target risk country.
Who can make BMSB declarations?
Declarations templates must be completed by the freight forwarder/shipping company at the port of origin. Declarations made by Australian based importer/brokers will not be accepted by the department.
Note: Container tracking information may be used as supplementary means of confirming shipped on board date for BMSB measures only. Container tracking information is insufficient for demonstrating when goods were sealed in a container.
Further information
For further information regarding BMSB measures, visit the Seasonal Measures for BMSB webpage or contact Air and Sea Cargo.