The Department of Agriculture has released measures to be followed during the 2023–24 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season. The measures affect targeted risk countries that have manufactured or shipped goods between September 1 and April 30.
What is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug?
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is native to Asia and resembles native stink bugs. They can be identified by their shield shape, marbled and faint red tinge, and antennae with white banding. It spreads by latching onto goods during importation. The major risk of the BMSB is its ability to destroy Australia’s plant species, including crops, on top of the smelly nuisance. The BMSB can breed into large populations and is difficult to eradicate through pesticides.
Goods that require Mandatory Treatment
Many common imported goods are marked as high risk including:
- Wood
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Cork
- Tools
- Stone
- Ceramics
- Glass, and more
A full list is available on the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & FORESTRY WEBSITE.
Target Risk Countries
Countries that require treatments include:
| Albania | Andorra | Armenia | Austria | Azerbaijan | Belgium |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Canada | Croatia | Czechia | France |
| Georgia | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Italy | Kazakhstan |
| Kosovo | Liechtenstein | Luxembourg | Montenegro | Moldova | Netherlands |
| North Macedonia | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Switzerland | Turkey | Ukraine |
| United States of America | Uzbekistan |
All goods marked as high risk that involve the above countries will have to be treated by a DAFF approved provider.
On top of the above countries, the following are emerging risk countries and, as such, susceptible to random inspections:
| United Kingdom | China |
Treatment Types
Goods from Target Risk Countries, or goods that have been on vessels that have berthed or loaded in risk countries, must be treated. Treatments include:
- Heat
- Methyl Bromide, and
- Sulfuryl Fluoride
You can read more about the treatments here.
Bullocks Can Assist
Bullocks Freightmasters is here to provide assistance if you suspect potential risks to your cargo. We take it upon ourselves to ensure full compliance of all entrusted freight with Australian Customs regulations, ensuring that your freight-forwarding / Customs clearance journey is streamlined and effective.
