During the BMSB risk season, BMSB seasonal measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured and shipped from target risk countries, that have been shipped between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive).
To minimise any delays, and associated industry costs that may be incurred for onshore treatment, industry is strongly encouraged to treat their goods offshore prior to arrival into Australian territory.
- All target high risk and target risk goods will be subject to random verification inspections and will be directed for treatment if BMSB is detected.
- Where goods are shipped as break bulk, random inspections are required to be conducted at a Class 21.1AA or Class 1.1 AA (where permitted).
- For goods shipped in flat rack and open top containers, these inspections will be able to be conducted at Class 1.1 and Class 1.3 AA.
- Containerised goods will be directed for an inspect unpack at an Approved Arrangement site. Inspections can be conducted at a Class 1.1, 1.3, 2.1 or 2.2AA.
- All random onshore verification inspections are required to be completed in a metropolitan location.
- All goods must still meet the standard import conditions in the department’s biosecurity import conditions database (BICON) for all other biosecurity risks.
Industry can book an inspection and provide further information regarding their goods via the Biosecurity Portal.
For approval to have an inspection conducted at a non-AA or importer’s premises, please contact the Inspections Group in the corresponding regional office on 1800 900 090.
Note: Inspections conducted at a non-AA location or importer’s premises, will be required to be completed as seals intact inspections under Biosecurity supervision.
To advise any additional information for your goods please submit a request via COLS.
To assist you in lodging declarations under the AEPCOMM approved arrangement during BMSB season, the BMSB hitchhiker pests Biosecurity Import Conditions database (BICON) case includes AEPCOMM pathways and codes. This information is available through your BICON AEPCOMM user access.
Use AEPCOMM:
- For goods subject to target high risk BMSB measures.
- To manage the clearance of other goods subject to biosecurity.
Please remember that to comply with the class 19.2 requirements and conditions for goods treated by offshore treatment providers, you must enter their AEI number in the AEI field of the import declaration, in conjunction with the applicable AEPCOMM code as specified in the BICON BMSB hitchhiker case.
By using AEPCOMM you will speed clearance time, reduce documentation assessment intervention and costs.
Please refer to the Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) webpage for important resources and guidance on BMSB lodgements using AEPCOMM.
Onshore treatment and treatment providers
Onshore treatment is permitted for target high risk goods shipped in sealed six hard sided containers. Treatment must be conducted at the container level as deconsolidation or removal of goods will not be permitted prior to treatment.
To find out where onshore treatments may be performed, visit our list of approved arrangement sites.
Mandatory offshore treatment applies for goods shipped as break bulk, including those shipped in open top or as flat rack containers. There are no provisions for onshore treatment of these goods.
The AA Class 4.7 enables secure unpack of containers for BMSB treatment when a department approved (Class 12) treatment provider has notified the department that in-container BMSB treatment will not be effective at the container level.
Conditions for this class require container unpacks to be performed in a secure area to ensure BMSB does not escape into the Australian environment.
The objective of the class is to:
- remedy issues that originally prevented treatment at the container level (e.g., packed too tightly)
- enable the treatment to be carried out.
The class does not authorise:
- removal of goods, or
- deconsolidation of containers.
Note: The whole consignment remains subject to treatment.
Requests for secure unpack for treatments of seasonal hitchhiker biosecurity pests must be sent by the treatment provider to the Onshore treatments team via email (treatments@aff.gov.au) for actioning.
Once a department approved (Class 12) treatment provider has notified the department that in-container treatment will not be effective, the department must either:
- Direct the goods to an AA Class 4.7 site for a secure unpack, or;
- Have the goods exported.
Note: The AA Class 4.7 cannot be used as a first option for treatment or for the purpose of splitting the consignment to treat select lines. Only after the initial Class 12 treatment provider notifies the department that the goods cannot be treated will a consignment be directed to a Class 4.7 treatment provider.
Goods will be subject to all other biosecurity requirements as per BICON, which may include documentary assessment and/or inspection after the BMSB risk has been addressed.
What if my goods are non-compliant on arrival?
Untreated target high risk goods shipped as break bulk, must be treated offshore prior to arrival in Australia. All untreated break bulk will be directed for export. Where these goods are identified prior to a vessel’s arrival into Australia, they will be denied discharge from that vessel.
Untreated break bulk, that have been unloaded from the vessel will require containment of the risk (such as envelope 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, surveillance of the goods will be required until they are exported.
Note: All surveillance and inspection of goods prior to export will be conducted by a Biosecurity officer and fee for service charges will apply
Target high risk goods shipped in sealed six hard sided containers will be directed for onshore treatment at the container level. Deconsolidation or removal of goods prior to treatment is not permitted.
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.
Note: All surveillance and inspection of goods prior to export will be conducted by a Biosecurity officer and fee for service charges will apply
Where can I find fees and charging information?
Biosecurity activities operate under a cost-recovery system where charges for assessment and inspection activities are payable under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Information about the department’s cost recovery legislation and policy authority, as well as information on the department’s charging guidelines, is available at Fees and charges.