The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) seasonal measures apply from 1 September to 30 April (inclusive).
Please see below for the key requirements and changes for the 2026–2027 BMSB season.
WHAT’S NEW – 5 AUGUST 2026
There are three key changes:
Ethyl Formate has been added as a new onshore BMSB treatment option.
The Rolled Goods Policy has been removed.
The Safeguarding Scheme has been removed.
1. BMSB SEASONAL MEASURES
BMSB seasonal measures apply to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries that have been shipped between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive).
The measures also apply to vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries during the same period.
IMPORTANT: The Shipped-on Board date shown 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.
2. BMSB GOODS
Target High Risk Goods
Mandatory BMSB treatment is required.
Target Risk Goods
Subject to random inspection.
Non-Target Goods
Not subject to BMSB measures unless packed with Target High Risk or Target Risk Goods.
Exempt Goods
Goods shipped in ISO tanks and as bulk-in-holds of cargo vessels are not subject to BMSB measures.
3. TREATMENT OF TARGET HIGH RISK GOODS
Target High Risk goods treated in target risk countries must be treated by a treatment provider listed as “approved” on the DAFF List of Treatment Providers.
Treatment certificates from target risk countries will not be accepted from treatment providers that are:
- Unregistered
- Suspended
- Withdrawn
- Under review
Where an unapproved treatment provider has been used:
- Containerised goods will be directed for onshore treatment.
- Break Bulk will be directed for export.
4. BREAK BULK GOODS
Break Bulk includes goods shipped on:
- Flat Racks
- 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 denied discharge or directed for export.
Onshore treatment is not permitted.
Shipper Owned Containers (SOCs) and modified FCL containers that are no longer sealed six-hard-sided containers may also be considered Break Bulk cargo.
5. CONTAINERISED GOODS – FCL / FCX
Target High Risk goods arriving in sealed six-hard-sided containers can be treated offshore or onshore at container level.
Refrigerated containers and specified hard-top sealed containers are treated as sealed six-hard-sided containers for these purposes.
Where onshore treatment is required:
- Treatment must occur at the container level.
- Goods cannot be deconsolidated or removed from the container before treatment.
- Containers should be packed to allow effective onshore treatment.
A sealing declaration may be used in certain circumstances, including where:
- Goods were containerised and sealed before 1 September but shipped on board after this date.
- The Bill of Lading does not state the Shipped on Board date.
- Target High Risk goods were manufactured, packed and sealed in a non-target risk country but shipped from a target risk country.
- Goods were sealed inside the container within 120 hours of offshore treatment for treatments conducted prior to 1 December.
Sealing declarations must be completed and signed by the exporter, freight forwarder or shipping company at the port of origin.
Container tracking information is not acceptable evidence to verify when goods were loaded on board or sealed.
6. LCL / FAK
LCL and FAK containers containing Target High Risk goods will be managed at the container level for BMSB risk prior to deconsolidation.
Once BMSB risk has been managed, the individual consignments will then be processed for any other applicable biosecurity intervention.
7. AIRFREIGHT
Random inspections will apply to Target High Risk goods shipped by airfreight from the United States of America and China between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive).
BMSB treatment is not required for these goods.
8. KNOWN RISK PATHWAYS AND SUPPLY CHAINS
Goods from known risk pathways and supply chains that have had previous BMSB detections may be subject to BMSB intervention, including treatment and/or inspection.
9. AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND
Australia will not conduct BMSB treatments for BMSB goods transhipping to New Zealand.
Goods exported from Australia cannot be treated for BMSB in New Zealand and vice versa.
BMSB goods that have transhipped and/or entered New Zealand during the BMSB season and are subsequently shipped to Australia will not be permitted into Australia without treatment that meets Australian BMSB requirements, either offshore or onshore where permitted.
10. HEIGHTENED VESSEL SURVEILLANCE
Heightened vessel surveillance applies to all Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels that have berthed, loaded or transhipped from target risk countries, including the addition of China, Japan and Republic of Korea, between 1 September and 30 June.
These vessels will be subject to a mandatory Seasonal Pest (SP) inspection on arrival in Australian territory.
This requirement applies only to the Ro-Ro vessels themselves and does not apply to goods on the vessel.
Attached for easy reference – Target High Risk Goods List, Target Risk Countries and Treatment Rates
For further information on BMSN – https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs#measures-for-vessels
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