VIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
2020-21 Commencement of BMSB season
For the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, heightened biosecurity measures will apply to:
- Certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, and/or
- Vessels that berth at, load or tranship from target risk countries.
The measures apply to goods shipped from 1 September 2020 that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Goods shipped between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 need to be treated and will be referred for intervention if they arrive by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Please refer to the departments’ website for further information on seasonal measures for BMSB.
Changes to measures for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season
The measures for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season essentially remain the same, with the addition of four (4) countries to the target risk country list. These countries are Kazakhstan, Portugal, Moldova and Ukraine.
The department has made changes to the BMSB seasonal measures webpage to assist importers and brokers in navigating their way through the measures. Changes you will notice include:
- The addition of BMSB fact sheets and quick reference guides to assist importers and brokers. These are located in the top right hand corner of relevant pages.
- Separation of measures into sub headings commensurate to how they apply to the cargo supply chain. To assist importers and brokers, all information relating to measures prior to shipping goods to Australia are located in the Preparing to Import Goods subpage. For goods that have arrived into Australia, the what happens to your goods on arrival subpage has information relating to onshore measures and outcomes.
- Flow charts to assist importers and brokers in determining if their goods are subject to the measures and subsequent treatments. These can be found in the Preparing to Import Goods page and the Management of LCL / FAK containers page.
- Clarification on BMSB NUFT declarations – manufacturing location must specify location/address of manufacturing facility.
- All information relating to LCL / FAK consignments in one easy to reference location including how to register as a Master Consolidator and how to complete a Master Consolidator declaration form.
Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme
In preparation for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, the department has updated the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme (the scheme). The updates are listed on the scheme webpage. Registration for 2020-21 BMSB risk season is now open. The application form can be found here.
Note: All treatment providers registered for the 2019-20 season must re-apply for the upcoming BMSB risk season.
The department encourages stakeholders in the import and shipping industries to make prospective offshore BMSB treatment providers aware of the requirement to register for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season.
As the new season approaches stakeholders should ensure they understand the key compliance requirements from the scheme and BMSB treatment methodologies which have been summarised in the factsheets published on the guidance for conducting BMSB Treatments webpage. The factsheets should be read in conjunction with the scheme and relevant treatment methodology.
As treatment providers are approved, they will be listed on the List of Offshore Treatment Providers webpage.
Safeguarding Arrangements Scheme
On 21 July 2020, the department opened the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme (the scheme) for applications for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season. The scheme provides an alternate clearance pathway for certain goods imported into Australia as sea cargo during the BMSB risk season. It also provides recognition of the ability of approved participants to manage seasonal hitchhiker pest risk offshore, from the point of manufacture, to the point of embarkation to Australia, in line with eligibility criteria.
As part of the changes to the scheme for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, the department has broadened the minimum import requirements to anyone that imports 50 twenty foot container equivalent units (TEUs). Further changes include refinements to the application form and reference material to assist prospective applicants through the application process.
Please refer to the Safeguarding Arrangements webpage for further information on the scheme. If you have any questions, you can contact the Safeguarding team via email at [email protected]
Do you handle LCL / FAK Shipments?
Under the 2020-21 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.
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). This number must be used with all declarations made for the LCL/FAK process during the BMSB risk season.
If you have previously registered as an MC, there is no need to re-register for the 2020-21 BMSB season.
If you require to be registered as a Master Consolidator, please submit a registration form to the department at [email protected]
To ensure no processing delays, MC’s are reminded to ensure their registration details are correct and up to date prior to the season starting. Please email [email protected] if any updates are required.
Preparing for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season
- The department strongly recommends goods that are subject to BMSB requirements are treated offshore to reduce delays and storage costs as there may be limited onshore capacity for treatment and storage of BMSB risk cargo. A full list of offshore treatment providers can be found on our website. Treatment providers will be updated as they become approved.
- Where goods are unable to be treated offshore, importers are reminded to ensure that containers are packed to ensure suitability for effective onshore treatment. The department provides guidance factsheets on consignment suitability and treatment methodologies to assist stakeholders to ensure goods are suitable for BMSB treatments.
- Where goods are deemed not suitable for onshore treatment, they will be directed to a Class 4.7AA site for a secure unpack or directed for export. Note: the uptake and registration of class 4.7 approved arrangements is a commercial decision, therefore, there may be limited availability in some states.
- All break bulk cargo, including open top and flat rack containers and modified shippers own containers (e.g. built in generators that are not secure six hard sided containers) require mandatory treatment offshore. Goods will be denied discharge prior to arrival and / or exported on arrival for treatment offshore if they are not compliant with the measures. There is no option to treat these cargo types onshore.