Australia and New Zealand 2026 BMSB Export Measures

Australia and New Zealand 2026 BMSB Export Measures

This guide brings together the seasonal BMSB (brown marmorated stink bug) measures and treatment requirements for companies exporting to Australia and New Zealand (NZ), compiled from current official sources.

Where the export falls within the 1 September – 30 April period and the goods have been manufactured in or shipped from a target risk country, treatment becomes mandatory and one of the approved treatment methods must be applied. Apart from packaging materials, only the goods themselves fall within the scope of treatment.

Treatment practices in Australia and New Zealand are broadly similar; however, Australia permits onshore in-container treatment, whereas in New Zealand all treatment must be carried out offshore. The accepted methods are: heat treatment, methyl bromide (MB) fumigation, sulfuryl fluoride fumigation and (new for Australia) ethyl formate.

Exporter Checklist

Steps to be checked before export:

• Check the export dates: Will the shipment take place between 1 September and 30 April (based on the date of loading into the container or the date of sailing for Australia / NZ)?
• Mode of transport: Are the goods moving as sea freight (including open-top containers and flat-racks)? Where the cargo travels by air, only random inspections apply.
• Confirm the country of origin and departure: Were the goods manufactured in and shipped from a country on Australia's / NZ's target risk country list? (Turkiye appears on both lists.)
• Does it fall into the target high-risk category? Vehicles, machinery, spare parts and industrial equipment, together with specified risk goods carried in containers, are generally regarded as target high risk.
• Treatment planning: If the answer to all of the questions above is “Yes”, mandatory treatment applies. Identify a suitable treatment provider and secure the booking before the shipment date.
• Watch for alternative routes: In cases such as containers sealed before 1 September, or new and unused (NUFT) vehicles and machinery, an exemption by declaration may be possible (only for certain HS codes).
• Set the correct time window: After treatment, the time allowed for loading the goods onto the vessel and closing the container is limited to 120 hours (applicable to both Australia and New Zealand).

Coordinate with the relevant competent authority at every step. Where there is any doubt, Australia's BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) system and New Zealand MPI advisory resources can be consulted.

Treatment Protocols

The principal accepted methods and parameters for BMSB treatment (Australian official requirements; similar practices apply in New Zealand):

After every treatment a Treatment Certificate in the required format must be issued and a Phytosanitary Certificate attached. The treatment provider must be registered on Australia's Approved Treatment Provider list; otherwise the certificate is regarded as invalid.

Required Documents and Sample Wording

• Phytosanitary Certificate: The official phytosanitary certificate (or electronic ePhyto) issued by the competent authority of the exporting country; it must show the type of goods, their origin, the transport details and the treatment applied.
• Treatment Certificate: Issued by the treatment company after fumigation; it sets out the type, dosage, duration, temperature and dates of the treatment. In Australia the provider must be registered and must hold a registration number.
• NUFT Declaration (optional): Used for new, unused goods. In Australia, an exemption can be obtained for vehicles / machinery manufactured after 1 December by means of a manufacturer-certified declaration.
• Customs and Transport Documents: Bills of lading and invoices must carry the consignment details and origin information. For ABF and NZ MPI inspections, the declarations and the evidence of treatment must be complete.

Pre-Export Inspection and Verification Process

Before loading, the exporter may be subject to inspection by the competent supervisory authority. The typical steps are:

• Cleaning and Preparation: Goods are cleaned so that they carry no trace of BMSB or any breeding activity; exposed plant material is removed. Pallets and crates may be disinfected.
• Documentation Check: Transport documents are cross-checked against the origin and the flight / container details; evidence supporting any exception is documented.
• Preliminary Inspection: Where necessary, a sample inspection is carried out before dispatch; random containers or vehicle parts are examined for the insect.
• Approval / Clearance: If all conditions are met, the relevant authority clears the shipment; any additional declaration forms required are completed.

If BMSB is detected, the export is halted and action is taken in line with the response plan. For exports of vehicles / machinery to New Zealand, the Manufacturer's Declaration form is prepared in the official IHS format.

Booking, Logistics and Timings

• Advance booking: The fumigation booking should be made at least 1–2 weeks before the shipment date; demand is especially heavy in early September.
• Treatment time: Fumigation (MB / SF / EF) generally takes 12–24 hours; once preparation, aeration and gas readings are added, allowing a total of 30–36 hours is realistic.
• Shipping schedule: The container must be loaded and sealed within 120 hours of treatment; if the window is exceeded, the treatment may have to be repeated.
• Transport handling: Containers / vehicles are not reopened after fumigation; the treatment certificates carry the document / reference numbers.

Pre-Export Timeline

Australia – New Zealand Comparison

• Risk countries: Both countries use a similar target risk country list; Turkiye is listed in both. The lists are updated on the official websites.
• Target goods: In Australia, all containerised loads require treatment. In NZ only vehicles, machinery, spare parts and certain containers are targeted; other goods are monitored through increased inspection.
• Timing of treatment: In Australia, containerised goods may also be treated on arrival. In NZ all treatment must be completed in the exporting country; breakbulk cargo can only be treated offshore in both countries.
• Exceptions: Both countries operate exemption mechanisms for new / unused goods based on a manufacturer's declaration.
• Compliance: Failure to follow the rules results in the goods being refused entry, returned or destroyed. If falsified documents are detected, the shipment is rejected.

In summary, the Australian and New Zealand regulations run largely in parallel; exporting companies should prepare in line with this guide and check the official BICON and MPI sources before every shipment.

Sources: Based on the legislation and guidance published on the official websites of the Australian Department of Agriculture and New Zealand MPI (last checked: 2026).