The information provided on this page is to answer the most frequently asked questions regarding the importation of goods shipped during the BMSB risk season.
Goods will be deemed out of scope for mandatory BMSB measures if evidence can be provided that the goods have been transported to and stored in a non-target risk country prior to 1 September.
This evidence can be in the form of international trade documentation i.e. a Bill of Lading (BOL) from the target risk country to the non-target country reflecting that the goods arrived prior to 1 September (of the current BMSB season) or any commercial document that identifies the relevant goods and is dated such that it verifies they were in the non-target country prior to 1 September of the current BMSB season.
All documents to support the goods being in a non-target risk country prior to 1 September must be able to be linked to the current consignment and meet minimum documentary and import declaration requirements policy (MDIDRP).
Note: Supplier/Importer declarations are not acceptable forms of evidence.
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).
Where break bulk, open top or flat racks have been treated prior to export to Australia, and the goods have been rolled (but no more than 48 hours over the 120 hours), the goods may be treated in Australia providing the broker does the following:
Once this information is received, an alternative clearance letter may be provided to submit to Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS) permitting the retreatment of the goods onshore on arrival.
If goods have been exported outside the 120 hours but are transhipping through a third country, the department highly recommends they be treated in the transhipment port before loading to Australia rather than waiting to arrive in Australia to be exported for re-treatment.
- An email is sent to spp@aff.gov.au prior to the vessel arriving providing:
- Evidence the goods were delayed with the confirmation of the rebooking or delay (normally correspondence from the shipping line); and
- Confirmation (copy of the email) from an approved onshore treatment provider stating: the goods will be tarped within 24 hours of discharge, and they will be retreated within 48 hours of discharge. Goods must be treated within a Class 1 Approved Arrangement within the port precinct of the discharge berth.
Sealing declarations will be accepted by the department to verify goods have been sealed in a six hard sided container in a target risk country prior to 1 September, or for goods that have been sealed in a six hard sided container in a non-target risk country prior to being shipped from a target risk port at any time within the BMSB season.
A sealing declaration may also be used for goods that have been treated and sealed in a six hard sided container within the 120-hour post treatment window by the exporter/shipping agent/freight forwarder at the port of origin.
Sealing declarations cannot be used for open top and flat rack containers.
The department will accept commercial documents in the form of trucking advice, bills of lading or transhipment declarations for goods that have been transported from a non-target risk country to a target risk port on/or after 1 December for export. All documents must be able to be linked to the current consignment and must meet MDIDRP.
All containers sent for random verification inspection at metropolitan Approved Arrangements (AAs) will be able to have the goods unpacked and container sweepings retained and held in a biosecurity inspection area until inspection by the department. The container will be permitted to be dehired where NIL Biosecurity Risk Material (BRM) is found during unpack by the Biosecurity Industry Participant (BIP).
For entries with multiple containers, containers not selected for inspection will be permitted to be delivered and deconsolidated.
The department may permit inspections at a non-approved AA location / importers premises where containers can be unpacked with the appropriate equipment if required. For approval to have an inspection conducted at a non-approved AA or importers premises, please contact the Inspections Group in the corresponding regional office on 1800 900 090.
If the local inspectorate approves the inspection at the non-approved AA location, then the direction will be updated to reflect this. Inspections must be completed in metropolitan locations.
Note: Inspections conducted at a non-approved AA location or importers premises, will be required to be completed as seals intact inspections under Biosecurity supervision.
Any goods that do not meet the Australian Border Force (ABF) requirements for UPEs and are required to be reported under a Full Import Declaration (FID), and/or tariffs other than 99 (including motor vehicles and motorbikes), will require mandatory BMSB treatment either offshore or onshore (if permitted). Only UPEs imported under the B534 form will not be subject to mandatory BMSB treatment.
Example: If your container consists of UPEs and a motor vehicle or motor bike that requires a FID to be lodged, these goods will require treatment for BMSB.
Once a cargo type is declared as an LCL in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS), a Seasonal Pest Hold (SPHOLD) will be systematically applied. This hold will remain on the container even after an amendment has been made to the cargo type. If you originally declared your container as an LCL and then amend the cargo type to a Full Container Load (FCL / FCX), please contact BMSBprocessing@aff.gov.au with evidence of the correct container type (i.e. BOL), to have the SPHOLD lifted.
Movement of non-compliant BMSB break bulk cargo (including open top and flat rack containers), including movement via underbond, is not permitted. If non-compliant BMSB break bulk has been moved off the wharf, a direction will be issued to envelope tarp the goods and to undertake a verification inspection by a departmental officer prior to movement back to the wharf for export. A non-compliance report will be lodged against all relevant parties.
No exemptions from this requirement will be approved and all non-compliant break bulk (including open top and flat rack containers) will be directed for export.
Yes. If a carnet or a consignment of diplomatic goods (other than UPEs) contains BMSB target high risk goods from a target risk country, they will be subject to mandatory BMSB treatment either offshore or onshore at the container level (where permitted). These goods are not exempt from BMSB seasonal measures.