6/9/2019

Attachments

With this article are the following attachments

To our Valued Customers

 

Importers would be aware that the 2019/20 BMSB season has now commenced.  We therefore feel it timely to provide a summary of BMSB for easy reference. It is important to remember that BMSB measures apply to goods shipped after 1 September 2019 that arrive in Australia before 31 May 2020.

 

With an expansion of BMSB throughout Europe and North America, The Department of Agriculture (DAA) implemented increased seasonal measures for the 2019/20 season in an attempt to prevent the bug from entering Australia.  The predominant change was an increase in the affected origin countries from 9 to 32, as communicated in a previous bulletin. Additional changes were made to the categories of goods requiring treatment and the way in which transport modes can affect the level of treatment required.

 

There are two risk categories of goods affected by BMSB measures.

 

“Target high risk goods” require mandatory treatment.

 

“Target risk goods” do not require mandatory treatment however will be subject to increased onshore intervention via random inspections. Goods covered by each category are listed on the attached document. Goods which do not fall in either category are not subject to BMSB seasonal measures however may still be subject to surveillance if they are part of a consignment which contains target high risk or target risk goods.

 

Target high risk goods arriving as an FCL, LCL or FAK consignment within a six-sided sealed container may be treated either offshore (by a registered offshore treatment provider) or onshore upon arrival in Australia. It is worth mentioning that goods within FAK/LCL containers will only be released once all cargo within the container complies with BMSB requirements. This means goods with no BMSB concerns could potentially be held pending clearance of any “target high risk goods” shipped within the same container.

 

Target high risk goods shipped in open top containers, flat racks or as breakbulk freight must be treated by an offshore treatment provider. Where such consignments arrive untreated they will be denied discharge and directed for export on arrival.

 

Treatment options remain the same as last season: heat treatment, methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride. When treated offshore, only approved treatment providers will be accepted by DAA.  Goods treated by unauthorised providers will still be subject to onshore measures.

 

For further information relating to the current BMSB season, including specific treatment rates and approved offshore providers, please feel free to contact your BR International Customs team.

 

Keeping you updated,

BRi Customs Team

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