Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Industry advice notices
  5. Import industry advice notices 2020
  6. 197-2020

Sidebar first - Import

  • Industry advice notices
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021

197-2020 - Notification of planned urgent actions for khapra beetle: shipping containers

19 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain.

What has changed?

On 13 August 2020, the department issued a IAN 127-2020 informing stakeholders of its intention to implement urgent actions to plant products that are hosts of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of this pest. 

In response to the recent and increasing hitchhiker risk of khapra beetle in shipping containers, we have determined that changes to the management of containers is now an immediate priority for addressing khapra beetle risk. Accordingly, we plan to implement new measures for containers (Phase 6) ahead of proposed changes for plant products and seeds for sowing (Phases 3-5).

A revised schedule of the implementation of the phases is below.  

Phase   Implementation date  
Phase 1: Ban on high-risk plant products within unaccompanied personal effects and low value freight    Commenced 3 September 2020. 
See: IAN 134-2020.
Phase 2: Ban on high-risk plant products within accompanied baggage or via international travellers or mail articles   Commenced 15 October 2020. 
See: IAN 172-2020.  
Phase 3: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for high-risk plant products arriving via commercial pathways  Expected to commence in mid-late 2021  
Phase 4: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for other risk plant products arriving via all import pathways  Expected to commence in mid-late 2021  
Phase 5: Introduction of phytosanitary certification for  
all seeds for sowing  
Expected to commence in mid-late 2021  
Phase 6: Revised measures for shipping containers  Expected to commence in early 2021 

Phase 6: Revised measures for shipping containers

We are currently working through what the revised measures for shipping containers will involve. A range of measures are being considered, including possible treatment options.

We will provide further information and consult with stakeholders on the proposed measures for containers over the coming months. These consultations will provide industry with the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions about the proposed measures.

Why are these changes needed?

The actions are considered necessary because:

  • The global spread of khapra beetle is increasing. Australia has seen an increase in detections of khapra beetle during 2020 in commodities that khapra beetle previously had no association with, from countries not known to have khapra beetle, and as contaminants in shipping containers.
  • Khapra beetle is a significant threat to Australian plant industries, including the grain export industry. Khapra beetle destroys grain quality making it unfit for human or animal consumption. Stored products also become contaminated with beetles, cast skins and hairs from larvae, which can be a human health risk.
  • If khapra beetle enters Australia it would have significant economic consequences. An outbreak could cost Australia $15.5 billion over 20 years through revenue losses arising from damaged grain in storage and exports.

Australia currently has biosecurity requirements for many products that could be infested with khapra beetle. However, considering the emerging khapra risk associated with imported shipping containers, the department believes that the biosecurity requirements need to be expanded and strengthened to prevent a khapra beetle incursion.

Further information

For further information, see the:

  • Urgent actions to protect against khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) webpage
  • Khapra beetle bulletin

Enquiries can be directed to 1800 900 090 or via email at imports@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email with ‘Plant Tier 2 – khapra urgent actions’).

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 19 November 2020

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram