1 May 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including Master Consolidators, vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principal agents— associated with shipping or importing goods that require increased intervention during the 2024-25 BMSB risk season.
What has changed?
The 2024-25 BMSB risk season ended on 1 May 2025.
Goods shipped on board, or vessels departing. from BMSB identified target risk countries on or after 1 May 2025 will no longer be subject to the BMSB seasonal measures.
Target high risk goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries that are shipped on board vessels between 1 September 2024 and 30 April 2025 remain subject to BMSB measures regardless of the arrival date.
Importers are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure goods imported are free of biosecurity risk material throughout the year, not just during periods of heightened seasonal measures.
Vessels
Ro-Ro vessels will continue to be sent a Seasonal Pest Questionnaire (SPQ) as part of their pre-arrival reporting up until 30 June.
Ro-Ro vessels that have berthed, loaded or transhipped from target risk countries between 1 September and 30 April and/or report exotic pest concerns will be subject to a mandatory seasonal pest (SP) inspection on arrival in Australian territory.
All vessel masters and agents are reminded of their obligation to continue to report all insect detections in pre arrival reporting.
Master consolidators
Master consolidator declarations will be required to be lodged for containers subject to Seasonal Pest holds that have been shipped on board between 1 September 2024 and 30 April 2025.
If your consignment has been shipped on board a vessel on or after 1 May 2025, a NIL RISK declaration is to be made.
Approved arrangement class 19.2 automatic entry processing for commodities (AEPCOMM)
Class 19.2 can continue to be utilised to facilitate the clearance of goods subject to the BMSB seasonal measures.
For goods shipped from 1 May 2025 (outside of the BMSB seasonal measures), class 19.2 can be utilised to assess standard biosecurity measures. Accredited persons must refer to the Approved Commodities webpage and relevant BICON cases when undertaking assessments.
Need help on using class 19.2?
Email: AEP support
Further information
For further information please visit our BMSB webpage or contact the department’s Hitchhiker Pests Policy team SPP@aff.gov.au.
If you see something that could have entered Australia with imported goods report it to See. Secure. Report. on 1800 798 636 or complete the online form.