IMPORTANT NOTICE RECEIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY, AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
Dates: As we enter the 2024-2025 BMSB season, the Department of Agriculture has announced regulations for high-risk countries. Measures will apply between September 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025.
Who is affected: All importers are required to take the DAFF season measures seriously. The measures will apply to the below goods moving via sea:
- Target risk and target high risk goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries
- All loose cargo moving via a hubbed port (for example; Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong)
- Any vessel that berths at, loads or tranships from target risk countries
Actions: Increased scrutiny will be placed on goods originating from targeted including the United States, Italy, France, Canada and more. Certain countries have also been designated as emerging risk countries:
- China: Inspections will apply to goods shipped between September 1 and December 31, 2024.
- United Kingdom: Inspections will apply to goods shipped between December 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025.
In addition to the target high-risk goods, chapters 39, 94 and 95 will be subject to random inspections for emerging risk countries only.
Target Risk Countries
Target High-Risk Cargo
Specific goods falling under designated tariff classifications are considered target high-risk goods and will require mandatory treatment for BMSB.
| 44 – Wood and articles of wood | 74 – Copper and articles thereof | 83 – Miscellaneous articles of base metals |
| 45 – Cork and articles of cork | 75 – Nickel and articles thereof | 84 – Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof |
| 57 – Carpets and other textile floor coverings | 76 – Aluminium and articles thereof | 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof |
| 68 – Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar | 78 – Lead and articles thereof | 86 – Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof |
| 69 – Ceramic products | 79 – Zinc and articles thereof | 87 – Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof |
| 70 – Glass and glass ware | 80 – Tin and articles thereof | 88 – Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof |
| 72 – Iron and steel | 81 – Other base metals; cermet’s | 89 – Ships, boats and floating structures |
| 73 – Articles of iron or steel | 82 – Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal |
Untreatable Cargo
Without a valid declaration, cargo will not be loaded. Untreatable goods will undergo strict scrutiny before shipment and may require BMSB declarations to be co-signed by the destination customs broker.
Should you have cargo that cannot be treated under the BMSB measures, please contact your Airmark representative with your HS Code to discuss the best available option. Please refrain from placing a booking until Airmark has provided proper options.
Other Key Information
Packaging
Impervious wrappings must be removed, opened, or slashed before fumigation to allow the treatment to fully reach the goods (regardless of the treatment location).
Gateways & Non-Risk Origins
Cargo booked via Asian Gateways (Singapore, Port Kelang, Hong Kong, Busan) or any Non-Target Risk Origin requires the shipper to disclose the country of manufacture prior to booking.
Cargo Mis-Declarations and Consequences:
Mis-declaration of goods will now incur penalties including:
- BMSB Mis-Declaration Fee,
- Treatment Costs,
- Container Detention Costs,
- Re-Export and Import Costs.
Payment is mandatory before mis-declared goods will be released from CFS facilities. If in doubt, it’s best to treat the goods.
Destination BMSB Processing Fee
A fee will apply to all cargo shipped from or via Target Risk Countries.
Department of Agriculture Inspections
Random inspections will continue this season for containers with cargo from Target High Risk and Emerging Risk Countries.
Department of Agriculture FID Verification
FID verifications from DAFF will continue to be required to release containers. All consignees must submit their FIDs promptly to avoid delays or additional costs. Additional costs may be passed to parties whose late FID submissions delay container unpacking.
For further details or assistance, please contact the team at Airmark.
