11 January 2019
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principle agents—associated with unpacking of goods that require intervention during the Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) risk season (shipped between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 inclusive).
What has changed?
A review of current measures has resulted in an interim measure to amend directions and procedures specific to post treatment inspection of FCL, FCX and LCL consignments at the container level subject to supervised seals intact full unpack inspection.
Effective immediately, the department has removed the current requirement for supervised seals intact full unpack inspection for containers that have been treated with sulfuryl fluoride fumigation.
Containers that have been treated with sulfuryl fluoride and currently held pending inspection will have these directions amended and will be allowed to be unpacked without biosecurity officer presence.
Future consignments that are flagged for a supervised seals intact full unpack inspection at the container level, will be assessed to determine the treatment type. Containers identified as being treated with sulfuryl fluoride will be allowed to be unpacked without biosecurity officer presence.
All other supervised seals intact full unpack inspections will continue to be applied for inspections that have been treated with approved treatments other than sulfuryl fluoride or where mandatory treatment is not required.
Inspection of break bulk goods treated with sulfuryl fluoride will continue as per existing processes.
Please note this in an interim process until further notice.
Approved arrangement and 77G depot operators
All operators either under an approved arrangement and 77G depots are reminded to be vigilant and immediately contain and report any instances of biosecurity detections, including live BMSB and/or insects.
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 theonline 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.