Preparing to import goods during the 2020-21 BMSB season
Preparing to import goods during the 2020-21 BMSB season
The information provided on this page is to assist industry stakeholders prior to the importation of goods during the BMSB risk season.
Check if your goods need to comply with the seasonal measures
- Will the goods be shipped from between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 (inclusive), and arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive)?
- Will the goods be shipped as sea cargo?
- Have the goods been manufactured in, or shipped from, a target risk country?
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk or target risk goods?
If you have answered yes to all the above questions, then BMSB measures will apply to your goods. The same conditions will apply for both new and used goods.
Do the seasonal measures apply to the packaging materials/non-commodity?
The seasonal measures only apply to the goods being imported, not to the packaging material carrying the goods, such as cardboard or plastic packaging. Other packaging material such as timber packaging and timber pallets are not subject to be BMSB measures, however, must still meet non-commodity requirements. For further information on non-commodity requirements see the ISPM 15 for solid wood packaging web page, or refer to the Non Commodity case on the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions Database (BICON).
All target high risk goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries as sea cargo must comply with mandatory treatment unless certain conditions exempt them from the BMSB measures.
Containers packed and sealed prior to 1 September 2020
Where target high risk goods are packed and sealed in a six hard sided container in a target risk country prior to 1 September 2020, a sealing declaration will be accepted by the department. However, the goods must be shipped on board within 21 days after sealing. Target high risk goods shipped outside of 21-day window will be subject to the BMSB seasonal measures on arrival.
Where all target high risk goods have been treated prior to sealing, and where evidence can be provided, goods may be permitted to be shipped outside of the 21 days without further treatment.
Goods stored or transported to non-target risk countries prior to 1 September 2020
Under the seasonal measures, target high risk goods that can meet all the following criteria will not be subject to BMSB measures on arrival:
- Have your goods been transported to and stored in a non-target risk country prior 1 September 2020?
- Are you able to provide evidence that the goods have been transported to and stored in a non-target risk country prior to 1 September 2020? Evidence can be in various forms such as a bill of lading or transportation documentation, however, supplier/importer declarations are not acceptable forms of evidence.
- Where enough evidence cannot be provided, the goods may be directed for export or onshore treatment (if permitted).
New, Unused and not Field Tested (NUFT) goods
Under the seasonal measures, certain goods that can meet all the following criteria will not be subject to BMSB measures on arrival:
- Are your goods manufactured on or after 1 December 2020? (A good is only considered to be manufactured on or after 1 December 2020 if all its large, complex components have also been manufactured after 1 December 2020).
- Are your goods classed as new machinery, vehicles, vessels/new complex parts and equipment, and are classified under the following tariff chapters only: 82, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 89?
- Are you able to provide evidence in the form of a BMSB manufacturers NUFT (new, unused and not field tested) declaration that the goods are manufactured on or after 1 December 2020?
- Does your BMSB NUFT declaration meet the following requirements in addition to minimum documentary and import declaration requirements:
- Is the document on the manufacturing company’s letterhead and include their name and address?
- The document must state that the product is new, unused and not field tested.
- Is there a consignment specific link on the declaration?
- Is the BMSB NUFT declaration specific to the product and consignment?
- Does the declaration have a manufacture date, or range of manufacture dates for the goods?
- Does the declaration have the place of manufacture of the goods? (Country of origin is not acceptable, must be address/location of manufacturer).
If evidence is not provided, the goods may be directed for export or onshore treatment (if permitted).
Manufacturer’s BMSB NUFT declarations must also meet Minimum Documentary and import declarations policy. These requirements have been added to the Downloads sections of this page.
Exceptional Circumstances for certain goods
Under the seasonal measures, certain goods that can meet all the following criteria will not be subject to BMSB measures on arrival:
- Your goods are imported for the use of delivering emergency services where mandatory treatment will significantly impact the delivery of the service. In this situation, your goods will be subject to inspection on arrival.
Importers are required to submit a request in writing to the Seasonal Pests Policy Team and receive prior approval before the goods arrive into Australian territory. These goods will be subject to specific conditions on arrival.
Target high risk goods requiring mandatory offshore treatment that arrive untreated without prior approval from the Seasonal Pests Policy team will be denied discharge and directed for export. The department may add to this list of Exceptional Circumstances for certain goods as required.
Household goods and personal effects imported as unaccompanied personal effects
Household goods and personal effects imported as Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPEs), and that are categorised as target high risk goods, will not be subject to mandatory treatment requirements if they are imported under the B534 form (located via the Australian Border Force web page). However, goods that are required to be reported under a Full Import Declaration (FID), for example motor vehicles and motorbikes, will require mandatory BMSB treatment either offshore or onshore (if permitted). All UPEs will be subject to increased onshore inspection. If the goods are imported as Less than Container Load (LCL) in a Freight of All Kinds (FAK) container, they will be subject to assessment and inspection at the container level prior to deconsolidation.
Check if your goods require mandatory treatment
- Will the goods be shipped between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 (inclusive), and arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive)?
- Will the goods be shipped as sea cargo?
- Have the goods been manufactured in, or shipped from a target risk country?
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk?
If you have answered yes to all the above questions, then treatment will apply to your goods.
What about target risk goods and goods not listed?
If your goods are categorised as target risk goods, they will not be subject to mandatory treatment. However, increased onshore intervention through random inspections will apply and your goods will be directed for onshore treatment if BMSB is detected. Goods not listed are not subject to the seasonal measures.
If your goods are a mix of target high risk, target risk or goods not covered by the measures, the whole container will be assessed at the highest risk and managed at the container level. Deconsolidation or segregation of goods is not permitted prior to treatment.
What if goods are shipped as a mixture of air cargo and sea cargo?
Where target high risk goods are shipped from a target risk country with a mixture of pathways, for example, air cargo to a non-target risk country, and then shipped from that non-target risk country as sea cargo to Australia, the seasonal measures apply to goods that arrive into Australian territory as sea cargo. Goods arriving into Australian territory via other pathways will be monitored for BMSB risk.
What if target high risk goods are shipped in a refrigerated container?
A refrigerated container is categorised as a six hard sided container. Where the container contains target high risk goods, seasonal measures (including mandatory treatment) will apply. If the goods were not treated offshore and/or did not meet sealing requirements, the container will require mandatory onshore treatment (see Manage the process for treating target high risk containerised goods offshore).
Treating goods to address both the commodity and BMSB requirements
If your consignment has goods that require treatment for both commodity and BMSB risk, you may be able to treat the goods at the highest rate to meet both requirements.
To meet the requirements, the treatment provider must be registered under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme and you must still provide treatment certificates (and phytosanitary certificates if required) as evidence the treatment has been completed. The documents must include all the required details to show that the treatment requirements for both commodity and minimum BMSB standards have been met or exceeded.
Check for appropriate treatment space when packing containers
Consideration must be given to ensure containers are packed in a manner that will enable effective onshore treatment where required, to avoid possible export of goods. Further information on treatment methodologies can be found on the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme webpage.
Check if plastic wrapping will affect the treatment of your goods
If your goods require treatment, packaging for shipment purposes, such as pallet wrapping must provide adequate access to the goods for the treatment to be effective. Where treatment will not be effective, slashing of the shipping packaging will be required prior to treatment.
Retail packaging is not required to be removed or slashed prior to treatment. For goods that are packaged with packaging material for protection and this is part of the retail packaging, removal or slashing is not required prior to treatment.
Manage the process for adjusting consignment spacing or packaging onshore
If an onshore Approved Arrangement (AA) Class 12 treatment provider has determined that remedial action (e.g. adjusting shipping packaging) is required to make a consignment suitable for treatment, the treatment provider must obtain approval from the department prior to undertaking the remedial action. The treatment provider must email SPP@awe.gov.au confirming that they or an AA accredited person:
- Are able to enter the container to adjust the packaging/goods without deconsolidating/removing the goods or packaging from the container;
- Will have knockdown spray available and will be vigilant for insects while undertaking the remedial action;
- Will apply knockdown spray to any live insects that may have escaped the container;
- Will use equipment (sheet, mesh, false door to prevent escape of pests while the container door is open);
- Will inspect personnel and any equipment prior to leaving the container to confirm freedom of insects, and;
- Will ensure that the container is not opened without a Class 12 treatment provider being present at the container. The Class 12 treatment provider must determine suitability of goods for treatment after the remedial action is completed.
The Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS) entry number and container number/s must be quoted in the email with the subject heading ‘Packaging Adjustment Plan’.
Following approval, the department will issue a new direction with the updated protocol.
Manage the process for treating target high risk containerised goods offshore
All goods subject to the seasonal measures will be managed at the container level. If your container has mixed goods, such as target high risk, target risk and all other goods, they will be assessed at the highest risk goods.
It is preferred that you treat and manage the risk at the container level. Where this is not possible, consider if the goods can be segregated, treated and shipped in different containers, or treated and packed in a manner that addresses the risk before being shipped. For example, mixed goods in containers may be managed using the following process:
- Ensure target high risk goods have not been stored together with target risk goods and all other goods before treatment.
- Identify and segregate the target high risk goods in preparation for treatment.
- Treat the target high risk goods.
- Ensure all goods, including the treated goods and all other goods are packed into the container as soon as possible.
- Manage cross contamination by ensuring that any other goods that are packed into the container have not been exposed to goods that may have BMSB risk, and check these goods for physical signs of BMSB contamination.
- Ensure the container doors are closed to manage contamination during packing.
- After all packing is completed, close and seal the container.
- Once the container is shipped, ensure that sufficient evidence and documentation that the target high risk goods have been treated, and all other remaining goods were packed into the container after treatment are provided for timely clearance of the goods on arrival in Australian territory.
Note:
- To expedite onshore clearances of LCL and FAK containerised cargo, importers are encouraged to treat these goods offshore and at the container level.
- If BMSB is detected during inspection in Australia, all goods will require onshore treatment at the container level. Where non-compliance issues are identified, the goods may be directed for export or destruction.
- BMSB detections may result in additional intervention being applied to the offshore treatment provider, supply chain or importer to manage the risk of BMSB and future importations.
Do your goods require mandatory offshore treatment?
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk goods?
- Are the goods shipped as break bulk, in open top, or on flat rack containers?
- Will the goods be shipped between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 (inclusive)?
If you have answered yes to all questions, the goods must be treated offshore prior to arrival, otherwise they will be denied discharge and directed for export on arrival.
If you have determined your goods require mandatory offshore treatment, you need to check if an approved offshore treatment provider must be used.
If the goods are being treated by an offshore treatment provider in a target risk country
If the goods are treated by an offshore treatment provider in a target risk country, the treatment provider must be registered and approved under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme. Where goods are not treated by an approved offshore treatment provider, they will be assessed on arrival as being untreated and will be denied discharge and directed for export on arrival, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
If the goods are treated by an offshore treatment provider in a non-target risk country
You can use treatment providers that are not registered and approved under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme. However, these goods may be subject to increased onshore intervention on arrival. This may include inspection to verify that the treatment has been carried out effectively.
Offshore treatment providers in non-target risk countries may register and be approved under the scheme. All offshore treatment providers are encouraged to register under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme. The scheme provides the department with greater confidence that the treatment provider has the skills and knowledge to perform the treatment effectively. Goods treated by registered and approved offshore treatment providers under the scheme will also have timelier clearances on arrival into Australian territory.
We recommend you check and use an approved treatment provider under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme for the country of export where possible.
Check for appropriate treatment space and wrapping when packing containers
If goods are packed and shipped as containerised cargo, consideration must be given to ensure they are packed in a manner that will enable effective treatment, to avoid possible export of goods on arrival. This includes the use of plastic wrapping and packaging which must provide adequate access to the goods for the treatment to be effective. Otherwise, slashing or removal of the shipping packaging will be required prior to treatment. Further information on treatment methodologies can be found on the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme webpage.
We monitor and review detections of BMSB and the risk of goods treated by registered and approved offshore treatment providers under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme. Where detections of BMSB risk are found, and/or where we consider the treatment provider has not followed the treatment methodology, the treatment provider may be suspended and subject to further assessment/audit.
Suspension of offshore treatment providers will be notified to industry via Import Industry Advice Notices.
Goods are shipped as break bulk, including open top or flat rack containers prior to the suspension
Break bulk goods that were shipped on or prior to the relevant treatment provider being suspended (goods in-transit to Australia at the time of suspension), or shipped on board a vessel within 120 hours after the suspension, will be permitted to discharge/unload on arrival, provided that assurance can be given to the department that any potential BMSB risk will be contained on arrival and mitigated. These goods may be subject to further inspection after onshore treatment.
To provide assurance to the department, a risk management plan must be submitted to the department via email to Seasonal Pest Policy, prior to the goods arriving into Australia and before discharge. Failure to do so may result in the goods being denied discharge and being directed for export.
Under the BMSB seasonal measures for goods, a risk management plan is considered as:
- A documented procedure that outlines how a specific biosecurity risk (such as BMSB) will be managed to an acceptably low level on a consignment of cargo. In this situation, the cargo has been treated by an approved offshore BMSB treatment provider, which was subsequently suspended following the treatment being performed on the consignment of goods. The risk management plan is intended to demonstrate to the department that the risk is being sufficiently managed in order to allow the transport of the affected cargo from the vessel to a department approved onshore treatment provider for treatment in accordance with the BMSB seasonal measures.
The plan must include:
- Confirmation (from the wharf or treatment provider) that the potential BMSB risk will be contained and managed within 24 hours of discharge. For example, envelope tarping or similar sealing containment methods to contain the risk and be effective even in adverse weather; AND
- Confirmation (from the treatment provider) that the goods can be treated within 48 hours of discharge by a department approved onshore treatment provider either at the wharf or, at an AA site within the port precinct.
Goods are shipped as break bulk, including open top or flat rack containers after the suspension
Break bulk goods that were shipped after the relevant treatment provider was suspended will not be permitted to discharge/unload within Australian territory, or if it has been unloaded from the vessel, will be directed for immediate containment and export. These goods will be assessed the same as other non-compliant break bulk goods.
Goods shipped as break bulk, including open top or flat rack containers, and arrived or discharged prior to the suspension
Break bulk goods that have been discharged prior to, or on the date the relevant treatment provider was suspended will be permitted for onshore treatment. These goods will be directed for appropriate containment of potential BMSB risk and treatment within 48 hours of arrival. If the goods cannot be treated within 48 hours, they may be directed for export, based on timeliness of treatment or export options. Break bulk goods treated onshore may be subject to further inspection.
Goods shipped as containerised cargo in sealed six hard sided containers
Goods that have been shipped in sealed six hard sided containers and treated by a suspended offshore treatment provider will continue to be permitted to discharge/unload on arrival as per the current processes. These goods will be directed for onshore treatment by a department approved treatment provider. Deconsolidation or segregation of goods will not be permitted prior to treatment and goods may also be subject to further inspection.
Manage the risk of re-contamination
If your goods have been treated offshore, you need to manage the re-contamination risk of BMSB. A post treatment window applies to goods that have been treated before 1 December 2020, where there is a higher likelihood of re-contamination.
For goods that are treated before 1 December and shipped as break bulk (including in open top or on flat rack containers):
- Treated goods not treated within the precinct of the port of discharge should be moved to the port of export as soon as possible (within 24 hours where possible).
- Treated goods need be stored separately in a manner that reduces the likelihood of re-contamination.
- Treated goods need to be segregated from untreated goods (where possible).
- Treated goods may be covered to reduce the likelihood of re-contamination. For example, netting or similar material may be used.
- Treated goods should be segregated from untreated goods on board vessels (where possible). This may mean having goods transported on separate decks on a vessel to manage the likelihood of contamination.
- For goods being treated in a target risk country and shipped from a target risk country, a post treatment window of 120 hours applies. Your goods must be loaded onto a vessel for export to Australia within 120 hours after treatment has been carried out.
For containerised goods treated before 1 December, prior to packing:
- Treated goods need be stored separately in a manner that reduces the likelihood of re-contamination.
- Treated goods need to be segregated from untreated goods (where possible).
- Treated goods may be covered to reduce the likelihood of re-contamination. For example, netting or similar material may be used.
- Containers need to be closed as soon as possible after treatment. Sealing the container must occur within 120 hours after treatment has been completed. A sealing declaration may be completed to support this activity.
A post treatment window is the timeframe that applies to goods after they have been treated. Goods must either be loaded into a container and sealed, or loaded onto a vessel for export from the target risk country within the defined timeframe of 120 hours. It is important that all goods are managed to prevent re-contamination or cross contamination.
The post treatment window only applies to goods treated before 1 December 2020. Goods treated from 1 December 2020 (inclusive) have been recognised as having lower risk of re-infestation and are not subject to the post treatment window of 120 hours. Sealing declarations are not required for containerised goods that have been treated from 1 December 2020 (inclusive).
The 120 hour timeframe commences after treatment has been completed or when ventilation commences. For example, for:
- Fumigation treatment, goods may be treated and treatment seals left intact. The post treatment window will commence when ventilation commences.
- Heat treatment, the post treatment window commences immediately after treatment has been completed.
Will the treated goods be shipped as break bulk, in an open top or on a flat rack container?
If yes, and the goods were treated before 1 December 2020, a post treatment window will apply. If a post treatment window applies to your goods, answer the following questions to determine which post treatment window applies.
- Are the goods being treated in a target risk country and shipped from a target risk country?
If yes, a post treatment window of 120 hours applies. Your goods must be loaded onto a vessel for export to Australia within 120 hours after treatment has been carried out.
- Are the goods being treated in a non-target risk country and shipped from a target risk country?
If yes, a post treatment window of 120 hours applies. Your goods must be loaded onto a vessel for export to Australia within 120 hours after treatment has been carried out.
- Are the goods being treated in a target risk country and shipped from a non-target risk country?
If yes, a post treatment window of 120 hours applies. Your goods must be transported to the non-target risk country within 120 hours. No additional timeframe applies once the goods arrive at the non-target risk country prior to export to Australia.
- Are your goods from a target risk country that will be treated in a non-target risk country and shipped from a non-target risk country?
If yes, your goods must be treated as soon as possible to prevent cross contamination. No additional timeframe applies once the goods are treated prior to export to Australia.
Are the treated goods shipped as containerised cargo in sealed six hard sided containers?
If yes, and the goods were treated before 1 December 2020, a post treatment window will apply. Containerised goods that have undergone treatment for BMSB risk need to be closed as soon as possible after treatment to prevent contamination. Sealing the container must occur within 120 hours after treatment has been completed. There is no additional timeframe for the goods to meet prior to export to Australia once sealed. A sealing declaration may be used and accepted as supporting evidence.
If the goods were treated on or after 1 December 2020, a post treatment window does not apply, however containers should be sealed as soon as practicable following treatment.
Do I need to confirm if treatment certificates are correct and valid with the department prior to lodgement?
The department will not be assessing certificates prior to lodgement. BMSB treatment providers are responsible for creating valid treatment certificates. All approved treatment providers are aware of the BMSB treatment certificate requirements and their responsibilities to ensure they include all necessary information and upload them into to the online system.
What happens to goods that arrive in Australia that have not met post treatment window requirements?
If you have not met post treatment window requirements, your goods are categorised as being untreated and are subject to standard BMSB seasonal measures.
Onshore treatment is permitted for target high risk goods shipped in sealed six hard sided containers. Break bulk cargo, including open top and flat rack containers, that have not met post treatment window requirements will be denied discharge and directed for export for retreatment.
For goods in sealed six hard sided containers, if the goods cannot be treated at the container level, or if the importer does not wish to have treatment performed on the goods, the cargo will be directed for export.
Approved offshore treatment providers treating goods for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season must lodge their certificates through the department’s online system.
To ensure the department can match treatment documentation and facilitate clearance of goods from the wharf on arrival, offshore treatment providers are encouraged to lodge certificates as timely as possible post treatment.
Further information on the offshore treatment portal can be found on the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme webpage. For further information regarding the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme, please contact the BMSB Treatments team.
Transhipped goods are considered as goods that are destined for a place outside of the target risk country, but are discharged in a target risk country for loading onto another conveyance for export.
Check if your transhipped goods need to comply with the seasonal measures
- Are the goods transhipped between 1 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 inclusive?
- Are the goods being transhipped from a non-target risk country via a target risk country?
- Are the goods being shipped from the target risk country as sea cargo?
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk goods?
If you have answered yes to all the above questions, mandatory treatment may apply depending on the transhipment time in the target risk country. Check to find out if your goods require mandatory offshore treatment during this period.
The 120 hours transhipment window does not apply to goods that have been transhipped from a non-target risk country and arrive in a target risk country after 1 December 2020 (inclusive). Goods transhipping after 1 December 2020 (inclusive) have been recognised as having lower risk of infestation and are not subject to the 120 hours window.
Check if your transhipped goods will require mandatory offshore treatment
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk goods?
- Are the goods transhipped as break bulk, in open top or on a flat rack container?
- Are the goods spending 120 hours or more in the precinct of the port of the target risk country?
If you have answered yes to all of the questions above, the goods must be treated offshore using an approved offshore treatment provider. Target high risk goods requiring mandatory offshore treatment that arrive untreated, or treated by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country, will be directed for export on arrival.
Containerised goods
If the goods are sealed in a six hard sided container that will not be opened during transhipment in the target risk country, BMSB measures do not apply to your goods. A sealing declaration may be used to show that the container has not been opened during this period. Please note: Sealing declarations are not required for containerised goods that have been treated from 1 December 2020 (inclusive).
If the goods are sealed in a six hard sided container but will be opened during transhipment in the target risk country, the target high risk goods must be treated offshore using an approved offshore treatment provider prior to being loaded into the container. Containers need to be closed as soon as possible after treatment. Sealing the container must occur within 120 hours after treatment has been completed.
Alternatively, the container may be treated on arrival in Australia at the container level. Deconsolidation or segregation of goods for treatment will not be permitted prior to treatment.
Transiting goods are goods that are destined for a place outside of a target risk country but remain on a conveyance when travelling through a target risk country.
Check if your transiting goods need to comply with the seasonal measures
- Are the goods transiting between 1 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 inclusive?
- Are the goods transiting from a non-target risk country via a target risk country?
- Are the goods being shipped from a non-target risk country as sea cargo?
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk goods?
If you have answered yes to all the above questions, mandatory treatment may apply depending on the transit time in the target risk country. Check to find out if your goods require mandatory offshore treatment during this period.
The 120 hours transit window does not apply to goods that arrive in a target risk country after 1 December 2020 (inclusive). Goods transiting after 1 December 2020 (inclusive) have been recognised as having lower risk of infestation and are not subject to the 120 hours window.
Check if your transiting goods will require mandatory offshore treatment
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk goods?
- Are the goods transiting as break bulk, in open top or a flat rack container?
- Are the goods spending 120 hours or more in the precinct of the port of the target risk country?
If you have answered yes to all the questions above, the goods must be treated offshore using an approved offshore treatment provider. Target high risk goods requiring mandatory offshore treatment that arrive untreated, or treated by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country, will be directed for export on arrival.
Containerised goods
If the goods are sealed in a six hard sided container that will not be opened during transit in a target risk country, BMSB measures do not apply to your goods. A sealing declaration may be used to show that the container has not been opened during this period.
If the goods are sealed in a six hard sided container but will be opened during transit in a target risk country, the target high risk goods must be offloaded and treated offshore using an approved offshore treatment provider prior to being loaded into the container. Containers need to be closed as soon as possible after treatment. Sealing the container must occur within 120 hours after treatment has been completed.
Alternatively, the container may be treated on arrival in Australia at the container level. Deconsolidation or segregation of goods will not be permitted prior to treatment.
Target high risk goods shipped from target risk countries during the BMSB risk season that tranship via Australia, en route to another country, will be subject to mandatory treatment on arrival. Check below to find out if your goods require mandatory offshore treatment during this period.
Check if your goods will require mandatory offshore treatment
- Are the goods categorised as target high risk goods?
- Are the goods shipped from a target risk county?
- Are the goods shipped as break bulk, in an open top or on a flat rack container?
- Are the goods being discharged from the vessel and landing on the wharf before transhipping to another country?
If you have answered yes to all of the questions above, the goods must be treated offshore using an approved offshore treatment provider.
Containerised goods
If the goods are sealed in a six hard sided container that will not be opened during transit or discharge in an Australian port, BMSB measures will not apply to the goods.
Target high risk goods that have been assessed as not meeting the seasonal measures or cannot be treated onshore will be directed for supervised export from Australian territory.
Untreated target high risk goods shipped as break bulk, including those shipped in open top or as flat rack containers, will not be permitted to discharge from the vessel.
Untreated target high risk goods shipped as break bulk, including those shipped in open top or as flat rack containers, that have been unloaded from the vessel will require containment of the risk (such as tarping) within 24 hours of discharge, held at the wharf and will be directed for export within 48 hours of arrival. If the goods are not able to be exported within 48 hours of arrival, daily monitoring and inspection of the goods will be required until they are exported.
Untreated target high risk goods shipped as containerised cargo will be directed for export if they cannot be treated at the container level or if the importer has chosen to export the goods. They may be directed to move to an AA site pending export which must be conducted within 7 days of arrival at the AA site.
All monitoring and inspection of goods prior to export will be conducted by a Biosecurity officer and fee for service charges will apply.
To ensure required information can be provided to the department in a quick and consistent method relevant declaration templates for industry have been developed.
Overarching documentary requirements’ (section 1) of the Minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy requirements policy must also apply to the certificates.
Declarations (with exception of the Nil Risk Goods) must be completed by the exporter/freight forwarder/shipping company at the port of origin. Australian based importers/brokers cannot sign off on these declarations, and they will not be accepted by the department.
If an offshore treatment provider applies the container seal post treatment and includes the sealing number on their treatment certification, the below BMSB Sealing declaration is not required. Please note that a BMSB Sealing declaration is also not required for containerised goods treated from 1 December 2020 (inclusive).
