Arrival of goods in Australia

We target a range of high-risk pests and contaminants (such as soil) on imported sea containers and non-containerised (break bulk) goods.

Sea containers and breakbulk cargo from countries and ports identified as having high levels of contamination, or high-risk pests, are considered to be high-risk pathways. We refer to these as Country Action List (CAL) locations.

Sea containers and break bulk cargo that originate or arrive from these countries or ports, or that tranship through them, are called CAL cargo.

Due to the increased risk, all CAL cargo is subject to heightened biosecurity measures on arrival. This includes mandatory six-sided inspection of external surfaces, and the internal surfaces of empty containers, on wharf at the port of discharge before release.

Individual goods and commodities on or within, sea containers are subject to relevant individual biosecurity import conditions on arrival in Australia. Import conditions for goods arriving in Australia can be found on BICON. It may include the need for further inspection.

We have a government to industry initiative known as the Sea Container Hygiene System (SCHS) to clean and treat containers at the port of loading. The SCHS gives us confidence that containers shipped from recognised facilities and load ports, arrive in Australia free from biosecurity concerns. It allows us to recognise compliant entities with reduced intervention on arrival. This ensures the timely release of cargo from the wharf and a reduction in associated costs.

Exporters and shippers should ensure that containers are cleaned internally and externally, and that the integrity of the containers is maintained during packing and transport.

Before shipping, particular attention should be given to the:

• bottom rails of containers
• inside of forklift pockets
• lock fittings (in and around)
• the underside and cross members
• the door seals
• the top of the container.

The Container Transport Unit code provides advice on the safe packing and transport of sea containers as well as phytosanitary measures. Annex 6 provides information on minimising the risk of recontamination. This includes measures to remove and manage biosecurity risk material.

Cross contamination can occur at any stage of the pathway where suitable measures are not in place to manage biosecurity risks.

The main types of contaminants found on surfaces of sea containers include:

• Insects – a range of insects can lodge themselves or build nests on shipping containers. This includes ants, wasps, bees, beetles, moths and spiders.
• Snails – exotic snails such as the giant African snail and other snail species.
• Animals – rodents, geckos and toads are the main vertebrates found in and on shipping containers.
• Animal matter – includes animal and bird faeces, bones, skin and hair.
• Plants – plants can grow on shipping containers if residual seed has been allowed to germinate with or without contaminating soil. Other plant matter includes leaves, plant pathogens and other plant material.
• Soil – soil and soil related contaminants - especially in forklift pockets, twist lock fittings and underside and cross members.
• Fungi – fungi and other airborne spores that can lodge and grow on any soil on container surfaces.

The Biosecurity risk treatment guide has information on our approved treatment options to address specific biosecurity risks.

Industry must be aware of seasonal measures and new and emerging requirements before shipping goods and cargo into Australia.

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)

To manage the seasonal risk of BMSB (Halyomorpha Halys), we implement additional measures each year. These apply to targeted goods that are:

• manufactured in, or shipped from, target risk countries
• that have been shipped during the BMSB risk season
• loaded on vessels that berth, load or tranship from target risk countries within the same period.

Further information is available on the BMSB Webpage.

Khapra Beetle

Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a small but serious pest.

We are implementing actions to address the risk of khapra beetle entering Australia. These actions are being implemented in phases, and have changed import conditions for plant products and sea containers.

Further information is available on the Urgent actions to protect against khapra beetle webpage.

We undertake regular monitoring, surveillance and response measures, such as Cargo Compliance Verification (CCV) inspections, at and around wharf areas and empty container parks, for unwanted exotic pests.

We also work closely with state and territory agencies and industry during heightened biosecurity periods such as brown marmorated stink bug season or where post-border detections have been identified.

Goods arriving in Australia can often be cleared by us using declarations and information provided by the importer. To decrease the likelihood that your goods will need to be opened and inspected, provide all required documents that need to accompany your goods as specified in BICON.

We will issue the importer with a directive that goods are released from biosecurity control or if any actions are required such as:

• inspection
• treatment
• isolation
• hold pending further information or insect identification.

For further information on our approach to imported cargo is on the Imported Cargo Compliance factsheet or on the Clearance and inspection webpage.

It is important that biosecurity incidents are reported as soon as practicable to limit the risk associated with any pest or disease entering, establishing or spreading into Australian territory.

You are required by law to report certain biosecurity incidents if you are:

• a person in charge of goods subject to biosecurity control, or an exposed good order
• a person in charge of an aircraft or vessel carrying goods subject to biosecurity control, or an exposed goods order
• you become aware of a reportable biosecurity incident in relation to those goods.

A report can be made by calling 1800 798 636 or by completing the Reportable Biosecurity Incident form.