Preparing to Import during the upcoming 2025-2026 BMSB Season

The 2025-2026 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Season will come into effect on 1st September for certain goods manufactured in or shipped from high risk countries. The measures apply to goods that have been shipped between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive), and to vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries within the same period.

Updates for 2025-2026:

• Addition of Republic of Korea and Japan to the emerging risk countries list.
• Target high risk goods arriving as airfreight from United States of America and China will be subject to random inspections.
• Addition of a NEW offshore BMSB treatment option Ethyl Formate.
• New application process for the BMSB in-transit and rolled policy.

Additional Details on the Upcoming BMSB Season:

BMSB Measures for Goods

• Target high risk goods – require mandatory treatment
• Target risk goods – subject to random inspections
• Not subject to measures:
  • Goods not found in either category
  • Goods shipped in iso-tanks

Treatment of target high risk goods

• Needs to be treated by a provider listed as “approved” on the list of treatment providers
• Treatment certificates from target risk countries ill not be accepted from unregistered treatment providers
  • Containerised goods will be directed for onshore treatment
  • Break bulk will be directed for export

Break Bulk Goods Information

1. Includes goods shipped on flat racks and in open top containers
2. All target high risk goods must be treated prior to arrival to Australia
3. Untreated break bulk will be denied discharge
4. Onshore treatment will not be permitted
5. Modified Shipper Owned Containers and FCL containers no longer sealed are considered break bulk cargo
6. Automated Entry Processing for Commodity (AEPCOMM) for BMSB is permitted for break bulk goods. Refer to relevant BICON commodities for assessment and outcomes

7. Guide on Containerised Goods (FCL, FCX)
8. Containerised cargo in sealed six hard sided containers with target high risk goods can be treated offshore, or onshore at the container level
9. Refrigerated containers and hard top sealed containers are considered the same classification as above
10. Removal of goods from the container will not be permitted prior to treatment if onshore treatment is to occur.
11. AEPCOMM arrangements for BMSB is permitted for containerised goods shipped as FCL and FCX
12. A sealing declaration can be utilised for FCL/FCX containers in the following events:
    1. Goods were containerised and sealed prior to 1st September
    1. The bill of lading does not state the shipped-on board date
    1. Target high risk goods were manufactured, packed and sealed in a non-target risk country but shipped from a target risk country
    1. Goods were sealed inside the container within 120 hours of treatment occurring offshore

For an updated list of target risk countries and target goods subject to the measures, you may visit the Department of Agriculture website.

The department will also be conducting industry information sessions on the 19th & 21st of August. Further details can be found on the link below:

264-2025: Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) season industry information sessions – DAFF

For more information and expert advice, please get in touch with McHugh and Eastwood’s Custom’s Team at customs@mcheast.com.au.