Every year, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) poses a significant biosecurity threat to Australia. To protect our borders, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) enforces strict seasonal measures on sea freight shipments during the stink bug season.

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What’s Changed in 2026-27?

This season, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced several significant changes to Australia’s Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) seasonal measures:

• The BMSB Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme has been discontinued.
• The Rolled Goods Policy has been removed.
• Importers can no longer apply for alternative clearance arrangements for rolled break bulk cargo, break bulk and project cargo that fails to comply with treatment requirements may face export directions rather than onshore retreatment options previously available.
• DAFF has reinforced the use of standard legislated treatment and compliance pathways.
• The In-Transit Policy remains available for approved circumstances involving suspended or reviewed treatment providers.

Regulatory Impact on Importers

The removal of these pathways has several important implications:

• Less flexibility when vessel schedules change or cargo is rolled.
• Greater emphasis on complying with the 120-hour post-treatment window.
• Increased risk of export directions for non-compliant break bulk cargo.
• Earlier treatment planning and booking coordination will be required.
• Importers of machinery, vehicles, industrial equipment, project cargo and construction materials may face greater compliance scrutiny during the BMSB season.
• Delays and supply chain disruptions could become more costly if treatment and shipping schedules are not carefully managed.

These changes place greater responsibility on importers, exporters, freight forwarders and treatment providers to ensure cargo is compliant before it departs the country of origin.

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What is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)?

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is one of the world’s most invasive pests, posing a serious threat to agriculture and global trade. Originally from eastern Asia, it has spread rapidly across the United States and Europe, where infestations have caused billions of dollars in crop losses.

BMSB is a notorious “hitchhiker,” commonly found on imported goods, vehicles, and shipping containers. It feeds on more than 300 plant species, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental trees. Once established in a new environment, the pest is extremely difficult to eradicate and could have a devastating impact on Australia’s agricultural exports.

The stink bug’s greatest risk period is during the cooler months in the Northern Hemisphere, when it seeks shelter in cargo, containers, vehicles, and machinery. This increases the chance of it being transported to Australia between September and April each year. To manage this risk, Australia enforces some of the strictest seasonal biosecurity measures in the world.

To protect Australia from infestation, the Australian Government has introduced detailed rules and treatment requirements for each BMSB season. This guide outlines the pest itself, along with the updated 2026-27 seasonal measures that importers need to follow.

When is Stink Bug Season 2026-27?

The 2026-27 BMSB season applies to goods shipped between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027 (inclusive) from identified risk countries. The shipped on board date shown on the Ocean Bill of Lading is the official date used by DAFF when determining whether cargo falls within the BMSB season.

Importers should be aware that:

• Gate-in dates and terminal receival dates are not accepted as evidence of when cargo was shipped.
• Container tracking records are not accepted as proof of shipment dates or container sealing dates.
• The Ocean Bill of Lading shipped-on-board date remains the primary document used to determine compliance with BMSB seasonal requirements.
• Cargo shipped during the BMSB season may be subject to mandatory treatment, inspection, or other biosecurity controls depending on the country of origin, cargo type, and treatment status.

This distinction is particularly important when assessing treatment windows and seasonal applicability.

Which Measures Apply to Australian Importers?

BMSB seasonal measures generally apply when goods:

• Are shipped between 1 September and 30 April.
• Arrive as sea freight.
• Are manufactured in or shipped from a designated target risk country.
• Fall within targeted goods classifications.

If these criteria are met, additional treatment, inspection, or biosecurity controls may apply.

Failure to comply with BMSB requirements can lead to significant disruptions and costs, including delays in cargo clearance, mandatory treatment requirements, refused discharge of goods, export directions, and substantial storage and detention charges. Ensuring compliance helps avoid costly delays and keeps your supply chain moving efficiently.

What Countries Are Under BMSB Measures?

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has identified Target Risk Countries for the 2026-27 BMSB season. The following countries have been identified as emerging risk countries for the -BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection: United Kingdom, China, Japan and Republic of Korea.

• Albania
• Andorra
• Armenia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• China (heightened vessel surveillance only)
• Croatia
• Czechia
• France
• Japan (heightened vessel surveillance only).
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Kazakhstan
• Republic of Korea (heightened vessel surveillance only)
• Kosovo
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Montenegro
• Moldova
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Republic of North Macedonia
• Romania
• Russia
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Türkiye
• Ukraine
• United States of America
• Uzbekistan

Which Goods Are Affected?

Not all imports are treated equally under BMSB rules. Goods are categorised into two main risk groups:

Target High-Risk Goods (Mandatory Treatment)

Goods that fall within the following tariff classifications have been categorised as target high risk goods and will require mandatory treatment for BMSB risk if manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries. These include:

• 44 – Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal
• 45 – Cork and articles of cork
• 57 – Carpets and other textile floor coverings
• 68 – Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials
• 69 – Ceramic products – including sub chapters I and II
• 70 – Glass and glass ware
• 72 – Iron and steel – including sub chapters I, II, III, IV
• 73 – Articles of iron or steel
• 74 – Copper and articles thereof
• 75 – Nickel and articles thereof
• 76 – Aluminium and articles thereof
• 78 – Lead and articles thereof
• 79 – Zinc and articles thereof
• 80 – Tin and articles thereof
• 81 – Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof
• 82 – Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal
• 83 – Miscellaneous articles of base metals
• 84 – Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof
• 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles
• 86 – Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds
• 87 – Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof
• 88 – Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof
• 89 – Ships, boats and floating structures

These items are favoured by BMSB as hiding places during colder months, which makes them particularly high risk.

Target Risk Goods (Random Inspections)

Goods that fall within the following tariff classifications have been categorised as target risk goods and are only subject to increased onshore intervention through random inspection. Mandatory treatment is not required.

• 27 – Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes
• 28 – Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes – including sub chapters I, II, III, IV and V
• 29 – Organic chemicals – including sub chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIII
• 38 – Miscellaneous chemical products
• 39 – Plastics and articles thereof – – including sub chapters I and II
• 40 – Rubber and articles thereof
• 48 – Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard
• 49 – Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans
• 56 – Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof

Goods shared with other risky goods

For all other goods that are not categorised as target high risk and target risk goods, BMSB seasonal measures do not apply. However, if they are part of a container or consignment that contains target high risk or target risk goods, they will be subject to the measures.

Which Goods Are Exempt?

Under certain circumstances, goods may qualify for an exemption from BMSB treatment requirements.

New, Unused and Not Field Tested (NUFT) Goods may be exempt under certain criteria:

• Manufactured on or after 1 December.
• New and unused.
• Not field tested.
• Supported by a valid manufacturer declaration
• Have an eligible tariff classification (within Chapters 82, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 89)

Some household items / unaccompanied personal effects may also be exempt.

Refurbished goods are not eligible for exemption.

Approved Treatment Types & Providers

All offshore BMSB treatments from target risk countries must be performed by providers set as ‘approved’ by the Australian government and must come with a treatment certificate.

Official list of onshore approved arrangement providers.

Official list of offshore approved arrangement providers.

Approved treatment methods include:

• Heat Treatment
• Methyl Bromide Fumigation
• Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigation
• Ethyl Formate Fumigation
• Controlled Atmosphere Treatment

Important: Treatments by unapproved providers are invalid. Cargo may be directed for re-export or onshore treatment (if allowed).

Treatment Window

For goods treated before 1 December, a 120-hour post-treatment window applies. This means the goods must be shipped or sealed within 120 hours of treatment being completed (or ventilation commencing, in the case of fumigation).

How the 120-hour window is applied:

• Fumigation – The clock starts when ventilation begins, not when fumigation ends.
• Heat treatment – The timeframe starts immediately once treatment is completed.
• Containerised goods – Must be loaded into a six hard-sided container and sealed within 120 hours. A sealing declaration may be required.
• Break bulk, flat rack, and open top containers – Must be loaded onto a vessel for export within 120 hours. The shipped-on-board date on the Bill of Lading is the only accepted proof. (The “place and date of issue” is not sufficient.)

Note: The 120-hour post-treatment rule does not apply to goods treated in a non-target risk country or goods treated on or after 1 December of the current BMSB season.

Key Rules by Cargo Type

• Break Bulk Cargo (including open top & flat rack containers): Must be treated offshore when subject to mandatory BMSB treatment requirements. Untreated break bulk cargo will be denied discharge and/or directed for export. Modified containers that are not sealed six hard-sided containers (such as those housing generators, filtration plants or portable accommodation) are considered break bulk cargo.

• Containerised Cargo (FCL/FCX): May be treated offshore or onshore (at the container level only). Deconsolidation or removal of goods from the container will not be permitted prior to treatment.

• LCL & FAK containers: LCL and FAK containers with target high risk goods will be managed at the container level for BMSB risk prior to deconsolidation. Once BMSB risk has been satisfied, the consignments within these containers will be processed at the Full Import Declaration (FID) level for all other biosecurity intervention (if applicable).

• Airfreight: Random inspections will apply to target high risk goods shipped as airfreight from United States of America and China between 1 September to 30 April (inclusive). BMSB treatment of these goods will not be required.

Major Changes to Rolled Cargo & Safeguarding Arrangements

Historically, importers had access to two alternative compliance pathways:

• BMSB Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme: The program has now been discontinued.
  • Existing approvals will not continue.
  • New applications will not be accepted.
• Rolled Goods Policy: Previously, if break bulk cargo missed the 120-hour treatment window due to vessel rollovers, importers could apply for approval to conduct retreatment on arrival in Australia. This pathway has now been removed;
  • Rolled cargo exemptions are no longer available.
  • Cargo that does not meet treatment requirements may be denied discharge.
  • Non-compliant cargo may be directed for export and offshore retreatment.

Our Recommendation

• We strongly recommend arranging offshore treatment for your goods whenever possible. Onshore treatment options in Australia are limited, and your cargo may face delays if placed in a treatment queue.

• If onshore treatment is required, ensure containers are packed in a way that allows effective treatment. Poorly packed containers may be refused treatment and directed for export. To help you prepare, we’ve created a guide with practical tips on how to pack containers for pre-treatment.

• If you’re importing materials, machinery, or tools into Australia, there’s a strong chance your cargo will be classified as target high risk or target risk goods and therefore subject to BMSB seasonal measures. Our expert customs brokers work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to ensure your shipments comply with the latest regulations. Our team can help classify your goods, arrange treatment with approved providers, and manage all required paperwork and documentation on your behalf.

Ship with Confidence This BMSB Season

Don’t let BMSB regulations disrupt your supply chain. At International Cargo Express (ICE), we have the expertise, network, and compliance knowledge to keep your shipments moving smoothly through the 2026-27 stink bug season.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss your cargo requirements and ensure your goods are treated, documented, and cleared without delays.

Download Our BMSB Season FACT SHEET

BMSB Season FAQ