If you are importing materials, machinery or tools into Australia, chances are high your cargo is classified as target high risk or target risk goods and subject to BMSB measures. As an importer or manufacturer whose business depends on a reliable supply chain, you cannot afford the risk of your much needed cargo being delayed or even rejected and exported.
Harders Advisory is in permanent contact with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and can ensure that your cargo will comply with DAFF’s latest rules and regulations. We classify goods, arrange for the required treatment by approved treatment providers, and take care of the required paperwork and documentation.
As a result, you can fully focus on your business and your customers, rather than spending your time trying to stay on top of the latest BMSB developments and regulations.
Don’t let a small bug stop your business.
Target high risk goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries as sea cargo will require treatment for BMSB either prior to export or on arrival in Australia.
5Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) pose a significant biosecurity risk to Australia due to their highly mobile nature. They are currently found throughout Northeast Asia, North America and Europe and can be identified by their shield shape and white bands on the antennae, legs and rear margins of the body. Introduction into Australia would have a devastating impact on over 300 agricultural and ornamental plants by rendering them unsellable or reducing production yields.
As a result, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) implements seasonal measures for certain goods arriving from target risk countries.
Target high risk goods shipped from target risk countries between 1st September 2025 to 30th April 2026 (inclusive) need to be treated. Seasonal measures also apply to vessels that berth, load or tranship from target risk countries within the same period. Throughout the season DAFF continually reviews measures based on detections of BMSB and the risk pathways.
Certain target high risk goods (Appendix 1) manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries as sea cargo will require treatment for BMSB either prior to export or on arrival in Australia.
Break Bulk Goods
Containerised (FCL/FCX)
LCL and FAK containers with target high risk goods will be managed at the container level for BMSB.
Certain target risk goods (Appendix 1) do not require mandatory treatment however are subject to increased surveillance and inspections and may be directed for treatment if BMSB are detected.
All imported cargo must still comply with listed standard import conditions which are dealt with against the import declaration.
There are three approved treatment options for BMSB treatments.
For all goods types and sizes
Note: 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.
Note:
Note:
*Note: The approved stewardship program operators and their third-party systems are:
Topping up with additional fumigant at the end of treatment is NOT permitted. If the concentration of the fumigant falls below the minimum end point reading at any point during the treatment, the treatment has failed.
The list of all Department approved treatment providers is available here.
Please note that this list no longer specifies which providers are approved under the BMSB treatment providers scheme. Businesses seeking treatment of goods for BMSB should use this list of providers to identify those where the treatment is to be performed, and contact them independently to ensure they are approved under the BMSB treatment providers scheme.
Containerised goods – Goods must be loaded into a six hard sided container and sealed within 120 hours. A sealing declaration can be provided if required.
Break bulk (including flat racks and open top containers) – must be loaded onto a vessel for export from the target risk country within the defined timeframe of 120 hours.
Note: The post treatment window does NOT apply to goods treated in a non-target risk country, or to goods treated from 1 December (inclusive).
All roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessels that berth at, load or tranship in target risk countries from 1st September 2025 and arrive in Australian territory by 30th April 2026 will be required to:
Below is the 2025-26 table of target risk countries.
Albania | Germany | Portugal |
Andorra | Greece | Republic of North Macedonia |
Armenia | Hungary | Romania |
Austria | Italy | Russia |
Azerbaijan | Japan (heightened vessel surveillance only) | Serbia |
Belgium | Kazakhstan | Slovakia |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Kosovo | Slovenia |
Bulgaria | Liechtenstein | Spain |
Canada | Luxemburg | Switzerland |
Croatia | Montenegro | Türkiye |
Czechia | Moldova | Ukraine |
France | Netherlands | United States of America |
Georgia | Poland | Uzbekistan |
The following countries have been identified as emerging risk countries for the BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection:
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.
Heightened vessel surveillance:
Japan, China, Republic of Korea
As part of the 2025-26 measures, DAFF has made the Safeguarding Arrangements Scheme available to importers. The scheme recognises the ability of approved participants to manage BMSB risk offshore, from the point of manufacture to the point of export.
Safeguarding Arrangements are only available to participants that meet the following eligibility criteria:
For further information please contact the Harders Advisory team. (details below)
BMSB NUFT criteria relates to goods classified under the following tariff chapters only: 82, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 89 and must have a manufacture start date on or after 1 December of the current BMSB risk season. Goods that have been refurbished do not meet this criterion.
A BMSB NUFT declaration may be used for eligible goods shipped in sealed six hard sided containers, goods shipped as break bulk (including flat rack and open top containers) and consignments in Less than a Container Load (LCL) / Freight All Kinds (FAK) containers.
Note: If other untreated high risk non-eligible tariffs / goods are packed with NUFT goods, the whole consignment will be subject to BMSB seasonal measures and require treatment either offshore, or onshore at the container level (where permitted).
Page last updated: 21.08.2023
Talk to us if you consider importing goods to Australia, if you want to determine the feasibility of an overseas business opportunity, mitigate risks, comply with customs regulations, improve cash-flow or streamline your import / export processes.
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Steven Butler
Head of Advisory
Christian Pavia
Senior Advisor