119-2019 - Register as a Master Consolidator importing LCL/FAK containers during the 2019-20 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) risk season
26 July 2019
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including master consolidators, freight forwarders, importers, customs brokers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, port operators and stevedores—associated with importing goods that require increased biosecurity intervention during the 2019-20 BMSB risk season.
What has changed?
Under the 2019-20 BMSB seasonal measures, Less than Container Load (LCL) consignments and Freight of All Kinds (FAK) containers with target high risk goods, will be managed at the container level and new reporting requirements by Master Consolidators for LCL/FAK containers will be required as published through Industry Advice Notice 89-2019 (Final measures for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season).
To assist the onshore management of LCL/FAK containers, including enabling the timely movement of containers on arrival from the wharf, Master Consolidators will be required to provide a Master Consolidator declaration no less than five business days prior to the first port of arrival in Australia. Where a voyage duration is less than five business days, Master Consolidators are encouraged to provide a declaration within 24 hours of embarkation.
To streamline the manual process of managing BMSB risk for LCL/FAK containers, Master Consolidators will be required to register with the department and be allocated with an individual Master Consolidator Identification number (MC ID number) to be used with all declarations for the LCL/FAK process during the BMSB risk season.
Master consolidators must register to receive a MC ID number from the department, as they will not be able to lodge LCL/FAK declarations without the MC ID number. Failure to report in time or meet the required declaration criteria including MC ID number may result in goods being subject to delays including having containers held at the wharf pending permission to move.
To register for a Master Consolidator Identification number
To register for a MC ID number, Master Consolidator’s are required to complete and return the MC ID registration form to the department. Registration details can be found on the BMSB webpage.
Applying to become an AIMS Account Client
For each MC ID, it is preferred an AIMS account is registered as this will assist with timelier clearance of LCL/FAK containers. If an AIMS account is not registered, the manual processing of payments will be required, prior to action/release of those LCL/FAK containers.
Those who wish to become an AIMS account client must be able to meet the set criteria, including meeting minimum lodgement volumes per year. Further information can be found on the department’s Fees and Charges webpage.
Stevedores, wharf operators and approved arrangement holders
The management of LCL and FAK containers that will be held for BMSB processes will have some impact on stevedores, wharf operators and approved arrangement holders.
Industry workshops for LCL/FAK Process
In preparation for the 2019-20 BMSB season, the department will be hosting Industry information workshops in Melbourne on 5 August and in Sydney on 6 August for those involved with importing or handling LCL/FAK consignments that require increased intervention during the 2019-20 BMSB risk season.
Master consolidators, freight forwarders, importers, customs brokers, biosecurity industry participants, stevedores, wharf operators and treatment providers are encouraged to attend.
The workshops will also have teleconference facilities available for those unable to attend in person. Industry members are asked to register which workshop they wish to attend, and if via teleconference through the departments BMSB webpage.
Further information
Importers shipping consignments to Australia during the BMSB risk season should ensure their stakeholders are aware of the risk of BMSB contamination and the importance of preventing contamination prior to shipping.
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.
Under the Biosecurity Charges Imposition (General) Regulation 2016 and the Biosecurity Regulation 2016, fees are payable to the department for all services. Details on how the department applies fees and levies can be found in the charging guidelines.
For further information regarding the policy for BMSB measures, visit the Seasonal Measures for BMSB webpage
Privacy Notice
Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. Personal information that is collected under or in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2015 is also 'protected information' under the Biosecurity Act.
The Department of Agriculture collects your 'protected information' including personal and sensitive information in relation to this request to Master Consolidators to contact the department by email under the Biosecurity Act 2015 for the purposes of managing containers for BMSB seasonal measures and related purposes. If you fail to provide some or all of the relevant personal information requested in this advice the department may be unable to process the management of containers held for BMSB purposes. Information collected by the department will only be used or disclosed as authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2015. See our Privacy Policy to learn more about accessing or correcting personal information or making a complaint. Alternatively, telephone the department on +61 2 6272 3933.