BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027: Official DAFF Measures Released

BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 is now confirmed, with DAFF releasing the official seasonal measures for importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, treatment providers and shipping lines.

This update follows our earlier BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 planning bulletin, where we advised importers to begin preparing before the final DAFF measures were released. At that stage, the key message was early planning. Now that the official rules are available, importers can move from general preparation to confirmed compliance planning.

BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 applies to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries, where those goods are shipped between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027 inclusive. It also applies to vessels that berth, load or tranship from target risk countries during the same period.

The key date remains the shipped-on-board date shown on the Ocean Bill of Lading. DAFF has again confirmed that gate-in dates and container tracking timestamps are not accepted to determine when goods have been shipped.

For Australian importers, BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 should now be treated as an active compliance issue.

What’s New for BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027?

DAFF has confirmed three key changes for BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027:

• Addition of a new onshore BMSB treatment option: Ethyl Formate
• Removal of the Rolled Goods Policy
• Removal of the Safeguarding Scheme

These changes are important.

The addition of onshore Ethyl Formate gives importers and treatment providers another approved treatment option where onshore treatment is permitted. However, the removal of the Rolled Goods Policy and Safeguarding Scheme reduces flexibility for some importers who may have relied on alternative clearance pathways in previous seasons.

That means BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 will require careful planning, especially for target high-risk goods, break bulk cargo, open top containers, flat racks, modified containers and cargo moving close to vessel cut-offs.

When Does BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 Apply?

BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 applies to goods shipped between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027 inclusive.

The date used is the shipped-on-board date on the Ocean Bill of Lading.

This is critical.

Goods may be packed, sealed, gated in or ready at origin before 1 September, but if the shipped-on-board date falls within the season, the goods may be subject to BMSB seasonal measures.

Importers should not rely on:

• Gate-in dates
• Container tracking events
• Supplier dispatch dates
• Estimated sailing dates
• Warehouse release dates

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, the shipped-on-board date is the key evidence.

Which Goods Are Affected?

DAFF separates goods into two main categories:

• Target high-risk goods
• Target risk goods

Target high-risk goods require mandatory treatment where they are manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries during BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027.

Target risk goods are subject to random inspection, but do not require mandatory treatment.

Goods outside these categories are not subject to BMSB measures unless they are packed with target high-risk or target risk goods. This is especially important for mixed containers, LCL shipments and FAK containers.

Target High-Risk Goods

Target high-risk goods are the goods importers need to manage most carefully during BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027.

DAFF lists the following tariff chapters as target high-risk goods requiring mandatory treatment:

• 44: Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal
• 45: Cork and articles of cork
• 57: Carpets and other textile floor coverings
• 68: Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials
• 69: Ceramic products
• 70: Glass and glassware
• 72: Iron and steel
• 73: Articles of iron or steel
• 74: Copper and articles thereof
• 75: Nickel and articles thereof
• 76: Aluminium and articles thereof
• 78: Lead and articles thereof
• 79: Zinc and articles thereof
• 80: Tin and articles thereof
• 81: Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof
• 82: Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal
• 83: Miscellaneous articles of base metals
• 84: Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof
• 85: Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof
• 86: Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof
• 87: Vehicles and vehicle parts
• 88: Aircraft, spacecraft and parts thereof
• 89: Ships, boats and floating structures

These goods are considered higher risk because they can provide suitable places for BMSB to shelter during transport.

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, importers of machinery, steel, aluminium, building products, vehicle parts, electrical goods, tools, ceramics, glass and industrial equipment should check treatment requirements before goods are packed or shipped.

Target Risk Goods

Target risk goods do not require mandatory treatment, but they may be subject to random inspection during BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027.

DAFF lists the following tariff chapters as target risk goods:

• 27: Mineral fuels and mineral oils
• 28: Inorganic chemicals
• 29: Organic chemicals
• 38: Miscellaneous chemical products
• 39: Plastics and articles thereof
• 40: Rubber and articles thereof
• 48: Paper and paperboard
• 49: Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other printed products
• 56: Wadding, felt, nonwovens, twine, cordage, ropes and cables

The key point is that “not mandatory treatment” does not mean “no risk”.

Random inspection can still create delay and cost, especially where cargo is time-sensitive, seasonal, or linked to project deadlines.

Target Risk Countries and Emerging Risk Countries

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, DAFF has listed target risk countries including much of Europe, North America and selected surrounding regions.

The listed target risk countries include:

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States of America and Uzbekistan.

China, Japan and the Republic of Korea are listed for heightened vessel surveillance only.

DAFF has also identified the United Kingdom, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea as emerging risk countries for BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027. Goods shipped from those countries between 1 September and 30 April may be selected for random onshore inspection.

For emerging risk countries only, chapters 39, 94 and 95 are also subject to random inspections in addition to target high-risk goods.

Importers should check both the country of manufacture and the country of shipment before assuming goods are outside the BMSB pathway.

Break Bulk, Flat Rack and Open Top Cargo

Break bulk cargo is one of the highest-risk areas during BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027.

DAFF confirms that break bulk includes goods shipped on flat racks and in open top containers.

All target high-risk goods shipped as break bulk must be treated offshore before arrival into Australia. Untreated break bulk will be denied discharge or directed for export. Onshore treatment is not permitted.

This is a critical issue for importers moving:

• Machinery
• Vehicles
• Oversized equipment
• Steel structures
• Industrial plant
• Project cargo
• Goods on flat racks
• Goods in open top containers
• Modified containers

DAFF also confirms that shipper-owned containers and modified FCL containers, such as those used to house in-built generators, filtration plants or portable accommodation, are no longer considered sealed six hard-sided containers. These are treated as break bulk cargo.

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, importers should confirm cargo type before treatment is arranged.

Containerised Goods: FCL and FCX

Containerised cargo arriving in sealed six hard-sided containers with target high-risk goods can be treated offshore or onshore at the container level.

DAFF confirms that onshore treatment must occur at the container level. Deconsolidation or removal of goods before treatment is not permitted.

This means containers should be packed in a way that allows effective treatment at container level. Poor packing may create treatment issues and can increase the risk of delay or export direction.

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, FCL and FCX importers should check:

• Whether the goods are target high-risk
• Whether treatment will occur offshore or onshore
• Whether the container is a sealed six hard-sided container
• Whether packing allows effective treatment
• Whether a sealing declaration is required
• Whether the treatment provider is approved

LCL and FAK Containers

LCL and FAK containers with target high-risk goods will be managed at the container level for BMSB risk before deconsolidation.

Once BMSB risk has been managed, consignments within those containers will then be processed at the Full Import Declaration level for other biosecurity intervention where applicable.

This matters because an importer may believe their own goods are not the problem, but if they are packed in a mixed container that includes target high-risk goods, the container can still be delayed.

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, importers using LCL or FAK services should ask their forwarder how BMSB risk will be managed at the container level.

Airfreight Rules

DAFF has confirmed that random inspections will apply to target high-risk goods shipped as airfreight from the United States of America and China between 1 September and 30 April inclusive.

BMSB treatment of these airfreight goods is not required.

This is important for importers using airfreight for urgent goods, spare parts, industrial components, samples or time-sensitive cargo.

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, importers should remember that airfreight may avoid mandatory BMSB treatment in these circumstances, but it does not necessarily avoid inspection risk.

Approved BMSB Treatment Options

There are four approved treatment options for BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027:

• Heat treatment
• Methyl Bromide fumigation
• Sulfuryl Fluoride fumigation
• Ethyl Formate treatment

The major update is that Ethyl Formate has been added as a new onshore BMSB treatment option.

Treatment requirements are technical, and treatment certificates must be valid. DAFF notes that treatment providers in target risk countries must be registered under AusTreat and listed as approved before treatment. Treatments conducted by unapproved providers in target risk countries will be deemed invalid.

Where treatment is invalid, goods may be directed for onshore treatment if permitted, or directed for export.

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, importers should not leave treatment arrangements entirely to overseas suppliers without checking provider approval.

Removal of the Rolled Goods Policy

One of the most important changes for BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 is the removal of the Rolled Goods Policy.

This was first flagged in DAFF Industry Advice Notice 130-2026 and is now reflected in the official seasonal measures.

For importers, this means previous alternative clearance expectations should not be relied upon.

If goods do not meet the relevant BMSB post-treatment loading requirements, importers may have fewer options to resolve the issue after shipment.

This makes offshore treatment timing, vessel cut-offs, loading windows and documentation even more important.

Removal of the Safeguarding Scheme

DAFF has also removed the Safeguarding Scheme for BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027.

This means importers who previously relied on Safeguarding arrangements should review their BMSB compliance pathway now.

The practical message is straightforward: do not assume last season’s workaround or alternative pathway still applies.

For BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, affected goods need to move through the standard legislated BMSB pathways, including treatment-based pathways where required.

What Importers Should Do Now

BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 is now close enough that importers should be actively checking shipments.

Recommended steps include:

• Confirm the country of manufacture.
• Confirm the country of shipment.
• Check the tariff classification.
• Identify whether goods are target high-risk or target risk.
• Confirm whether the goods are FCL, FCX, LCL, FAK, break bulk, flat rack or open top.
• Check whether a modified container may be treated as break bulk.
• Confirm whether treatment is required.
• Confirm whether treatment must occur offshore.
• Use approved treatment providers where required.
• Check whether Ethyl Formate may be available as an onshore option.
• Keep bills of lading, treatment certificates and declarations aligned.
• Confirm the shipped-on-board date.
• Allow extra lead time for inspections, treatment and documentation.
• Speak with a freight forwarder or customs broker before cargo moves.

BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 is manageable, but only if importers plan before shipment.

TFG Global Recommendation

TFG Global recommends that importers review BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 requirements now.

The official DAFF measures are available, and the key changes are clear: onshore Ethyl Formate has been added, while the Rolled Goods Policy and Safeguarding Scheme have been removed.

The biggest risk for importers is assuming the process will be the same as last season.

For goods moving from target risk countries, especially machinery, metal products, vehicles, electrical goods, building materials, project cargo and mixed containers, treatment and documentation should be checked before cargo is packed or booked.

The cost of getting BMSB wrong can include delays, additional treatment costs, storage, missed delivery windows, refused discharge or export direction.

If you are unsure whether your cargo is affected by BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, speak with the TFG Global team before shipment.

Summary

BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 has now been officially released by DAFF.

The season applies to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries, shipped between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027 inclusive.

The key date is the shipped-on-board date on the Ocean Bill of Lading.

Target high-risk goods require mandatory treatment. Target risk goods are subject to random inspection.

The key changes for BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 are the addition of onshore Ethyl Formate treatment, removal of the Rolled Goods Policy and removal of the Safeguarding Scheme.

Importers should review cargo classifications, origin, shipment pathway, treatment requirements, cargo type and documentation before cargo moves.

Conclusion

BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 is now more than a planning issue. It is an active seasonal compliance requirement for Australian importers.

The official DAFF measures confirm the rules importers need to work with this season.

The addition of onshore Ethyl Formate may provide another treatment option where onshore treatment is permitted. However, the removal of the Rolled Goods Policy and Safeguarding Scheme means some importers may have less flexibility than in previous seasons.

The best way to manage BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 is to plan early.

Know your tariff classification. Check the country of manufacture and shipment. Confirm whether the goods are target high-risk or target risk. Understand the cargo type. Use approved treatment providers. Keep documentation complete and aligned.

Most BMSB problems are avoidable if they are identified before shipment.

Once cargo is already on the water, options become more limited and more expensive.

If you have goods moving during BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027, speak with TFG Global before cargo is booked, packed or shipped.

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Disclaimer

TFG Global makes reasonable efforts to ensure the information contained in this publication is accurate and current at the time of writing. However, freight markets, carrier operations, regulatory requirements, and supply chain conditions are subject to change and may vary by shipment, trade lane, carrier, port, or service.

This publication may include information sourced from third parties, industry reports, carrier updates, and publicly available data. While TFG Global considers these sources to be reliable, it does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information, nor does it endorse any third-party views or opinions.

The information provided is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial, customs, or logistics advice. Nothing in this publication is intended to exclude, restrict, or modify any rights or remedies available under Australian Consumer Law.

To the extent permitted by law, TFG Global disclaims liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising from reliance on this information, whether direct or indirect. Readers should seek advice specific to their circumstances before making freight or supply chain decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Industry Intelligence

This BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 update is based on:

• DAFF seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug
• DAFF Industry Advice Notice 130-2026
• TFG Global’s earlier BMSB Season Australia 2026-2027 planning bulletin
• DAFF BMSB treatment provider guidance
• DAFF BICON and seasonal import pathway guidance
• TFG Global freight forwarding and customs brokerage observations