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[Verified using DAFF sources only. Current as at 27 October 2025 (AEST, Australia/Brisbane).
“Latest BMSB season” refers to the 2025–26 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) risk season, which applies to certain goods shipped to Australia between 1 September 2025 and 30 April 2026 (inclusive). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)]

 
Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB): What importers must do this 2025–26 risk season
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has confirmed heightened seasonal biosecurity measures to stop Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) entering Australia. These measures apply to specific goods and vessels that present a known BMSB pathway risk. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

This post summarises DAFF’s current requirements for importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and supply-chain managers. If something is not stated by DAFF, this post says “Not stated by DAFF”.

Primary DAFF sources:

Seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB): https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Management of LCL/FAK containers during the BMSB risk season: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/before/brown-marmonated-stink-bugs/lclcontainers (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Industry Advice Notice 264-2025 (BMSB seasonal measures 2025–26): https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/industry-advice/2025/264-2025 (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
 
1. Season timing and scope
When do the rules apply?
DAFF states that BMSB seasonal measures apply to targeted goods that are manufactured in, or shipped from, target risk countries, where those goods are shipped between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive). The “shipped on board” date on the Ocean Bill of Lading is used. “Gate in” dates are not accepted. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

DAFF has separately advised industry that, for the 2025–26 season, these measures apply to certain goods shipped to Australia as sea cargo between 1 September 2025 and 30 April 2026 (inclusive). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Does arrival date matter?
DAFF measures are triggered by when the goods are shipped (the shipped-on-board date) and by voyage exposure (for vessels), not just by when cargo arrives in Australia. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Which cargo types are in scope?

Sea cargo containing target goods.
Vessels (especially roll-on/roll-off) that berth, load or tranship in target risk countries in the risk window. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Some airfreight (see Section 6). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Goods shipped in ISO tanks and as bulk-in-holds of cargo vessels are not subject to the measures. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

 
2. What changed for 2025–26
DAFF’s “What’s New” (published 1 August 2025) states:

Republic of Korea and Japan have been added to the emerging risk countries list.
Target high risk goods arriving as airfreight from the United States of America and China will be subject to random inspections.
A new offshore BMSB treatment option, Ethyl Formate, has been added.
There is a new application process for the BMSB in-transit and rolled policy. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Importers should treat this as official: these are DAFF-declared changes for the 2025–26 season.

 
3. Target risk countries and emerging risk countries
DAFF designates “target risk countries”. Goods manufactured in or shipped from these countries in the risk window trigger BMSB seasonal measures. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Target risk countries (as listed by DAFF for the current season):
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. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Emerging risk countries (DAFF wording):
United Kingdom, China, Japan and Republic of Korea. DAFF states these countries “may be selected for a random onshore inspection”. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

For emerging risk countries:

Random inspections will apply to goods shipped from the United Kingdom, China, Japan and Republic of Korea between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive).
For emerging risk countries only, DAFF says that in addition to target high risk goods, tariff chapters 39, 94 and 95 will be subject to random inspections. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Note: DAFF also applies “heightened vessel surveillance” to certain roll-on roll-off vessels that have berthed, loaded or transhipped in target risk countries, with China, Japan and Republic of Korea specifically called out. These vessels are subject to mandatory seasonal pest inspections on arrival. DAFF states this applies to the vessel, not automatically to the cargo. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

 
4. Target goods: who must treat, who gets inspected
DAFF categorises goods by tariff chapter into “target high risk goods” and “target risk goods”.

4.1 Target high risk goods
Target high risk goods are goods in the following tariff chapters, which will require mandatory BMSB treatment:

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 glassware
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/TV recorders and reproducers; parts and accessories
86 Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts; track fixtures and fittings; signalling equipment
87 Vehicles (other than railway or tramway rolling-stock), and parts and accessories
88 Aircraft, spacecraft and parts thereof
89 Ships, boats and floating structures. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
These goods require mandatory treatment when they are manufactured in, or shipped from, a target risk country during the season. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

4.2 Target risk goods
Target risk goods are goods in the following tariff chapters. DAFF states they are 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; certain compounds of precious/rare-earth metals, radioactive elements or isotopes (including sub-chapters I–V)
29 Organic chemicals (including sub-chapters I–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, paper or 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 related articles. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
DAFF is explicit: if goods are not in “target high risk” or “target risk”, BMSB seasonal measures do not apply — unless they are packed in the same container/consignment as goods that are in scope. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

 
5. Approved treatment types and technical rates
DAFF lists four approved BMSB treatment options. These are mandatory for target high risk goods unless stated otherwise.

Heat treatment
For all goods types and sizes:

56 °C or higher at the coldest surface of the goods, for a minimum of 30 minutes;
OR
For individual goods <3000 kg shipped as break bulk only: 60 °C or higher at the coldest surface of the goods, for a minimum of 10 minutes.
DAFF requires evidence in the shipping documentation that the item is <3000 kg if using the 60 °C / 10-minute option. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Methyl bromide fumigation

Dose: 24 g/m³ or above, at ≥10 °C, for ≥12 hours (but <24 h), AND minimum end-point reading of 12 g/m³;
OR
Dose: 24 g/m³ or above, at ≥10 °C, for ≥24 hours, AND minimum end-point reading of 8 g/m³.
DAFF also states:
All start-time concentration readings must be above 24 g/m³.
Increasing dose to compensate for temperatures below 10 °C is not permitted.
“Topping up” fumigant at the end is not permitted.
If concentration falls below the minimum end-point reading at any point, the treatment has failed. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation
DAFF publishes equivalent dose/time/temperature requirements for sulfuryl fluoride that mirror the methyl bromide structure (24 g/m³ or above, ≥10 °C, with defined exposure times and minimum end-point readings). The same “no topping up / no compensating for low temperature / failed if concentration drops below minimum end-point” rules apply. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

DAFF also recognises sulfuryl fluoride using an approved third-party stewardship system. DAFF requires achievement of a CT (concentration × time) of 200 g·h/m³ or more at ≥10 °C for defined exposure periods, plus specified minimum end-point readings. DAFF lists approved stewardship program operators (FumiGuide, Fumicalc, FumiTrack). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Ethyl formate (new for 2025–26)

Approved for offshore treatments only.
Must be performed at ≥10 °C, with a minimum end-point ethyl formate reading of 15 g/m³.
DAFF specifies required initial dose rates for ethyl formate and carbon dioxide, the exposure period (≥4 hours, with exact combinations published), and a minimum end-point CO₂ reading of 70 g/m³.
DAFF states that compensating for temperatures below 10 °C is not permitted, topping up at the end is not permitted, and if the concentration falls below minimum end-point readings at any point, the treatment fails. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Minimum standards
DAFF notes there are set minimum standards for application of BMSB treatments and refers treatment providers to those standards. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
[If you require the full minimum standards, DAFF directs you to its “minimum standards” page. The full text of those standards is not reproduced here.]

 
6. Mode of transport and how DAFF will intervene
Break bulk cargo (including flat racks and open-top containers)

All target high risk goods shipped as break bulk must be treated offshore before arrival in Australia.
Untreated break bulk will be denied discharge or directed for export.
Onshore treatment is not permitted for untreated break bulk target high risk goods.
DAFF explicitly confirms that Shipper Owned Containers (SOCs) and modified FCL containers (e.g. generators, filtration plants, portable accommodation built in) are considered break bulk once they are no longer sealed, six hard-sided containers. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Failure to comply will result in export direction.
FCL / FCX (sealed six hard-sided containers)

Target high risk goods in sealed six hard-sided containers can be treated offshore OR onshore, but onshore treatment must occur at the container level.
Deconsolidation before treatment is not permitted.
Containers must be packed so onshore container-level treatment is practical, otherwise export is possible.
DAFF accepts a “sealing declaration” in limited cases (e.g. where goods were sealed before 1 September but shipped after that date; shipped from a target risk country but sealed in a non-target risk country; or sealed within 120 hours of offshore treatment before 1 December). The sealing declaration must be signed by the exporter, freight forwarder, or shipping line at origin. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
DAFF states that container tracking info is not acceptable evidence of when goods were sealed or loaded. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
LCL / FAK (consolidated cargo)

LCL and FAK containers that contain target high risk goods shipped from target risk countries between 1 September and 30 April are held and managed for BMSB risk at the container level before any deconsolidation. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
These containers are automatically flagged in the cargo report with a Seasonal Pest Hold (SP HOLD). DAFF requires a Master Consolidator (MC) declaration that states the BMSB risk status of the container. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
DAFF recommends lodging the MC declaration before first port arrival in Australia. Containers without a lodged MC declaration will be held at the wharf until the MC submits the declaration. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
After assessment, DAFF may:

clear the container from BMSB measures, or
issue a biosecurity direction for further action (document assessment, inspection, onshore treatment).
If there is still no MC declaration after 35 business days, DAFF will direct the container for export. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
DAFF treats repeated failure to lodge accurate MC declarations as non-compliance and may increase intervention for that MC ID (e.g. full document assessment, mandatory onshore treatment or export). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Airfreight
DAFF states:

Random inspections will apply to target high risk goods shipped as airfreight from the United States of America and China between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive).
BMSB treatment of these airfreight goods will not be required. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Known risk pathways / supply chains
DAFF warns that goods from supply chains with previous BMSB detections may still be subjected to treatment and/or inspections, even if not otherwise captured. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Vessels (especially ro-ro)
All roll-on roll-off vessels that berth, load or tranship in target risk countries between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive) must:

complete at least one crew self-inspection and respond to DAFF’s pre-arrival questions, and
undergo a mandatory seasonal pest inspection on arrival in Australia. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
DAFF calls this “heightened vessel surveillance”. It applies to the vessel itself; DAFF notes it does not automatically apply to all goods on that vessel. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
 
7. Offshore treatment providers and documentation
Offshore treatment provider approval

If target high risk goods are treated in a target risk country, the treatment must be carried out by a treatment provider that DAFF lists as “approved” on its “List of treatment providers”.
DAFF will not accept BMSB treatment certificates from target risk countries if the provider is unregistered or is listed as suspended, withdrawn or under review.

In that case:

Containerised goods will be sent for onshore treatment (if allowed).
Break bulk will be directed for export (onshore treatment not permitted for untreated break bulk). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Providers who want to do offshore BMSB treatments must register under DAFF’s AusTreat scheme. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Treatment providers in non-target risk countries

DAFF “encourages” these providers to register under an offshore treatment assurance scheme.
DAFF will accept their certificates unless the provider is listed by DAFF as suspended / withdrawn / under review / unacceptable. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Fraudulent certificates

DAFF states it actively monitors and will identify consignments arriving with fraudulent BMSB treatment certificates.
Any consignment with fraudulent certificates will be directed for onshore treatment (if permitted) or exported. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Documentary evidence
DAFF provides standard templates (sealing declarations, transhipment declarations, BMSB NUFT manufacturers’ declarations) on its “Preparing to import BMSB goods” page. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
[DAFF does not publish in the viewed material any requirement for a traditional “packing declaration” specific to BMSB; the requirement is for correct BMSB documents such as treatment certificates, sealing declarations, and MC declarations. Unable to verify in DAFF sources whether a separate packing declaration is mandatory for BMSB purposes.]

 
8. Compliance, holds and consequences of getting it wrong
DAFF is explicit about consequences:

Untreated break bulk target high risk goods: denied discharge or directed for export. Onshore treatment will not be permitted. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Containerised target high risk goods treated by an unapproved offshore provider in a target risk country: directed for onshore treatment in Australia (if onshore treatment is allowed for that cargo class). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Fake / fraudulent treatment certificates: consignment will be sent for onshore treatment (if permitted) or exported. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
LCL/FAK containers without an MC declaration: container will be held at the wharf under SP HOLD until the MC submits a declaration. If no declaration after 35 business days, DAFF will direct the container for export. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Ongoing non-compliance by a Master Consolidator (MC): DAFF may escalate and direct all future LCL/FAK containers under that MC ID for full document assessment, onshore treatment or export. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
DAFF also notes that where containers are not packed to allow compliant onshore container-level treatment, export is possible. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

DAFF further indicates that non-compliance and delays are at the importer’s/cargo owner’s risk. (Direct cost liability language such as storage, vessel delay fees, or re-export freight costs is not explicitly stated by DAFF in the viewed material; however DAFF does state that cargo can be denied discharge, held, treated at the importer’s expense or exported.) (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

 
9. Practical actions for industry
Based strictly on DAFF’s published requirements:

Importers / owners of cargo

Confirm whether your supplier’s country of manufacture or port of loading is on DAFF’s target risk list. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Classify every line item against the DAFF “target high risk” and “target risk” tariff chapter lists. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
For target high risk goods shipped as break bulk (including flat racks, open tops, modified SOCs), arrange offshore BMSB treatment with an approved offshore treatment provider before loading. Onshore treatment is not allowed for untreated break bulk. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
For sealed six-sided FCL/FCX containers, if you are relying on a sealing declaration, make sure it meets DAFF’s conditions and is signed by the exporter/freight forwarder/shipping line at origin. Container tracking data is not acceptable evidence. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Keep complete and valid BMSB treatment certificates. DAFF will reject treatment done by unapproved providers in target risk countries and may treat documents it considers fraudulent as non-compliance. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Customs brokers / licensed customs brokers

Ensure the “shipped on board” date and port history match DAFF’s seasonal window and target risk exposure. DAFF will not accept “gate in” times as proof of shipment timing. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
For LCL/FAK consignments, coordinate with the Master Consolidator early. The MC declaration should ideally be lodged before first port arrival in Australia to avoid SP HOLD delays. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
For AEPCOMM (Automated Entry Processing for Commodity) clearances, DAFF indicates AEPCOMM can be used for both break bulk and FCL/FCX in-scope goods, but you must still answer the BMSB community protection question truthfully if offshore treatment has not occurred on break bulk. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Freight forwarders / Master Consolidators (MCs)

You must register for an MC ID with DAFF before lodging MC declarations. Each individual user needs their own login; sharing User IDs is recorded as non-compliance. DAFF can escalate intervention for repeated non-compliance. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Lodge the MC declaration (BMSB risk status of the container) before arrival to prevent delays at the wharf. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
Vessel operators / ro-ro carriers

Roll-on roll-off vessels that have berthed, loaded or transhipped in target risk countries (including China, Japan and Republic of Korea) between 1 September and 30 April must complete DAFF’s pre-arrival reporting, carry out crew self-inspection, and will be subject to a mandatory seasonal pest inspection on arrival in Australia. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)
 
10. Key takeaways
The 2025–26 BMSB season applies to sea cargo shipped to Australia between 1 September 2025 and 30 April 2026 (inclusive). (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

DAFF has expanded surveillance to include Japan and Republic of Korea as emerging risk countries and added a new approved ethyl formate treatment option offshore. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Target high risk goods (tariff chapters 44, 45, 57, 68–70, 72–89 inclusive as listed above) generally require mandatory BMSB treatment. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Untreated break bulk target high risk cargo will not be allowed to discharge and will be exported. Onshore “catch-up” treatment is not permitted. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

LCL/FAK containers with target high risk goods will be held under Seasonal Pest Hold until a valid Master Consolidator declaration is lodged. After 35 business days with no declaration, DAFF will direct export. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Random inspections now also apply to certain airfreight (target high risk goods from the USA and China) and to goods from emerging risk countries, including some plastics/furniture/recreational goods (chapters 39, 94, 95) even if they are not “target high risk”. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Non-compliance leads to export, costly delay, mandatory onshore treatment (where permitted) and increased ongoing scrutiny by DAFF. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)

Importers should review DAFF’s full seasonal measures page and keep documentary evidence (treatment certificates, sealing declarations, MC declarations) accurate, valid and available at lodgement. (Dept of Ag, Fisheries & Forestry)