Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Seasonal Measures 2022 / 2023

The BMSB risk season will apply to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries as sea cargo and vessels that berth at, load, or tranship, from target risk countries from 1 September 2022 and 30 April 2023 (inclusive).

Firstly, what is BMSB?

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an insect in the family Pentatomidae, native to China, Japan, Korea and other Asian regions.  In September 1998 it was collected in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it is believed to have been accidentally introduced. The nymphs and adults of the brown marmorated stink bug feed on over 100 species of plants, including many agricultural crops, and by 2010–11 had become a season-long pest in orchards in the Eastern United States.  In 2010, in the Mid-Atlantic United States, $37 million in apple crops were lost, and some stone fruit growers lost more than 90% of their crops. It is now established in many parts of North America and has recently become established in Europe and South America.  You can read up more on BMSB here. 

What import measures are in place?

Whilst most measures remain consistent with the 2021-22 BMSB season, there are some important changes that will apply for the forthcoming season.

• China and the United Kingdom are identified as emerging risk countries
• Goods falling under HS tariff chapters 94 and 95 from emerging risk countries will be subject to random onshore inspections
• The 120 hours policy has been amended for goods that have been rolled (with evidence)
• Inspect/Unpack inspections will replace Secure Seals Intact inspections at Approved Arrangements

It’s important to note the shipped-on board date, as indicated on the Ocean Bill of lading, is the date used to determine when goods have been shipped. “Gate in” dates and times will not be accepted to determine when goods are shipped.

DAFF will continue to review the measures throughout the season based on detections of BMSB and the risk pathways and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the risk to Australia is effectively managed.

BMSB Measures for goods

Treatment of target high-risk goods

• Target high-risk goods treated in target risk countries must be treated by a registered offshore BMSB treatment provider approved under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme.
• Treatments conducted by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country will be deemed as invalid.
  • Containerised goods will be directed for onshore treatment.
  • Break bulk will be directed for export.
• Break bulk goods

• Break bulk includes those goods shipped on flat racks and in open-top containers.
• All target high-risk goods shipped as break bulk must be treated offshore prior to arrival in Australia.
• Untreated break bulk will be directed for export.
• Onshore treatment is not permitted.
• FCL containers that have been modified, such as those used to house in-built power generators, etc. are no longer sealed six hard sided containers are considered to be break bulk cargo
• Automated Entry Processing for Commodity (AEPCOMM) arrangements for BMSB is permitted for break bulk goods. See relevant BICON commodities for assessment and outcomes.

Containerised goods (FCL, 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.
• Refrigerated containers (operating and non-operating) and hard-top sealed containers (ISO22U6/ISO22UP, ISO42U6/ISO42UP and ISO45U6/ISO45UP) are deemed to be the same as six hard-sided sealed containers.
• Onshore treatment of goods is to occur at the container level. Deconsolidation or removal of goods from the container will not be permitted prior to treatment.
• Ensure containers are packed in a manner that will enable effective onshore treatment at the container level to avoid possible export of the container.
• AEPCOMM arrangements for BMSB are permitted for containerised goods shipped as FCL (Full Container Load) and FCX (Full Container Consolidated). See relevant BICON commodities for assessment and outcomes.
• To demonstrate goods were sealed inside a container prior to 1 September or after treatment, a BMSB sealing declaration must be provided with the lodgement. This document is required where:
  • Goods were containerised prior to 1 September, but shipped after this date, or
  • The bill of lading does not state the shipped-on board date, or
  • Goods were sealed inside the container within 120 hours of treatment occurring offshore (for treatments conducted prior to 1 December)
  • Sealing declarations must be completed and signed by either the exporter, freight forwarder, or shipping company at the port of origin.

Container tracking information may be used as supplementary means of confirming shipped on board date. It cannot be used as the primary form of evidence. Container tracking information is insufficient for demonstrating when goods were sealed in a container.

Containerised goods shipped as Less than Container Load (LCL) consignments and Freight of all Kinds (FAK) containers

LCL and FAK containers with target high-risk goods will be managed at the container level for BMSB risk prior to deconsolidation. Once BMSB risk has been managed, the consignments within these containers will be processed at the Full Import Declaration (FID) level for all other biosecurity intervention (if applicable).

See the DAFF Management of LCL/FAK containers web page for more details.

Known risk pathways and supply chains

• Goods from known risk pathways and supply chains that have had previous detections of BMSB may be subject to BMSB intervention including treatment and/or inspections.
• These risk pathways and supply chains will be reviewed throughout the season and adjusted to manage the risk of BMSB as required.

Treatment of BMSB goods in Australia and New Zealand

• The BMSB Seasonal measures are for goods being imported into Australian territory, and managing the risk associated for all goods that come into Australian territory.
• In conjunction with New Zealand MPI, New Zealand and Australia will not be conducting BMSB treatments for each other.
• Goods bound for Australia cannot be treated for BMSB in New Zealand and vice versa. For example, if the goods have been exported from New Zealand for not meeting BMSB import conditions, they will not be permitted to be treated in Australia, and vice versa.

Targeted risk countries for BMSB

The following countries below have been categorised as target risk:

In addition, these countries have been identified as emerging risk countries for the -BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection: the United Kingdom and China

• China – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 September to 31 December (inclusive)
• United Kingdom – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 December to 30 April (inclusive)
• In addition to the target high-risk goods, chapters 39, 94, and 95 will be subject to random inspections for emerging-risk countries only

BMSB treatment types and rates

Treatment Rates

There are three approved treatment options for BMSB treatment. The approved treatments are:

Heat

For all goods types and sizes

• 56°C or higher at the coldest surface of the goods, for a minimum of 30 minutes
  or
• An alternative option for individual goods weighing less than 3000 kg shipped as break bulk only, 60°C or higher at the coldest surface of the goods, for a minimum of 10 minutes

Individual goods shipped as break bulk weighing less than 3000kg treated at 60°C for 10 minutes require evidence within shipping documentation that they are less than 3000kg for these treatments to be accepted.

Methyl Bromide

• A dose of 24 g/m³ or above, at 10°C or above, for a minimum of 12 hours (but less than 24 hours), and a minimum endpoint reading of 12 g/m³
  or
• A dose of 24 g/m³ or above, at 10°C or above, for 24 hours or longer, and a minimum endpoint reading of 8 g/m³All start time concentration readings must be above 24 g/m³.
• Dose increases to compensate for temperatures less than 10°C are NOT permitted.
• Topping up with additional fumigant at the end of treatment is NOT permitted.
• If the concentration of fumigant falls below the minimum endpoint reading at any point during the treatment, the treatment has failed.

Sulfuryl Fluoride

• A dose of 24 g/m³ or above, at 10°C or above, for a minimum of 12 hours (but less than 24 hours), and a minimum endpoint reading of 12 g/m³
  or
• A dose of 24 g/m³ or above, at 10°C or above, for 24 hours or longer, and a minimum endpoint reading of 8 g/m³
• All start time concentration readings must be above 24 g/m³.
• Dose increases to compensate for temperatures less than 10°C are NOT permitted.
• Topping up with additional fumigant at the end of treatment is NOT permitted.
• If the concentration of fumigant falls below the minimum endpoint reading at any point during the treatment, the treatment has failed.

Sulfuryl Fluoride – Using a third-party system

• Achieve a CT of 200 g-h/m³ or more, at 10°c or above, for 12 hours or longer, with a minimum endpoint reading of 12 g/m³
  or
• Achieve a CT of 200 g-h/m³ or more, at 10°C or above, for 24 hours or longer, with a minimum endpoint reading of 8 g/m³

The approved stewardship program operators and their third-party programs are:

• Douglas Products or their agents – FumiGuide
• Ensystex II, Inc. (USA) – Fumicalc
• Barcan Barcan Pest Control & Fumigation Co. (Barcan ilaclama Fumigasyon Tic. Ltd.Sti.) (Turkey) – FumiTrack

Topping up with additional fumigant at the end of treatment is NOT permitted. If the concentration of fumigant falls below the minimum endpoint reading at any point during the treatment, the treatment has failed.

Treatment minimum standards

There are set minimum standards for the application of BMSB treatments. Treatments applied for biosecurity purposes are part of managing the risk of introducing exotic pests and diseases.

It is important that treatment providers understand these requirements as treatments to manage risk are only effective when conducted correctly. These standards outline best practice methodologies for applying biosecurity treatments.

Onshore treatment

Where onshore treatment of goods is permitted, you can find a list of approved arrangement providers on the department’s website.

Offshore treatment

The Offshore Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Treatment Providers Scheme (the scheme) sets out the department’s registration and compliance requirements for BMSB treatment providers, including compliance with applicable treatment methodologies.

Further information can be found on the Offshore BMSB treatment providers scheme webpage.

Treatment providers in target risk countries

All BMSB treatment providers in target risk countries must first register and be approved under the scheme by the department prior to treatment. Treatments conducted by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country will be deemed as invalid and the goods will be subject to onshore treatment (if permitted) or directed for export.

Treatment providers in non-target risk countries

Treatment providers in other countries who intend to conduct BMSB treatments for goods that are manufactured in or shipped from any of the target risk counties are encouraged to register under the offshore treatment provider’s scheme.

Treatment certificates from providers in non-target risk countries who do not register will be accepted, however these goods will be subject to increased intervention on arrival compared to those treated by approved treatment providers.

Fraudulent certificates

The department continues to improve its systems to monitor and detect the use of fraudulent certificates and will identify consignments that arrive in Australia with fraudulent documentation.

Any consignment identified with a fraudulent certificate will be directed for onshore treatment (if permitted) or exported.

Goods targeted to BMSB import measures

Target high-risk goods

Goods that fall within the following tariff classifications have been categorised as target high-risk goods and will require mandatory treatment for BMSB risk.

Target risk goods

Goods that fall within the following tariff classifications have been categorised as target risk goods and are only subject to increased onshore intervention through random inspection. Mandatory treatment is not required.

• 27 – Mineral fuels, mineral oils, and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes
• 28 – Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, rare-earth metals, radioactive elements, or isotopes – including sub-chapters I, II, III, IV, and V
• 29 – Organic chemicals – including sub chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII, and XIII
• 38 – Miscellaneous chemical products
• 39 – Plastics and articles thereof – – including sub-chapters I and II
• 40 – Rubber and articles thereof
• 48 – Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard
• 49 – Printed books, newspapers, pictures, and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts, and plans
• 56 – Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables, and articles thereof

For all other goods that are not categorised as target high risk and target risk goods, BMSB seasonal measures do not apply. It is however important to note they are part of a container or consignment that contains target high-risk or target-risk goods, they will be subject to the measures.

Given the risks that we have highlighted that the brown marmorated stink bug poses if you see something that could have entered Australia with imported goods report it to See. Secure. Report. on 1800 798 636 or complete the online form.

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