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Edition #2 – 21 September 2022

This issue contains information on the change from Inspect (Secure – Seals Intact) Inspections to Inspect (Unpack) Inspections for random onshore BMSB inspections, and the addition of tariff chapters 39, 94 and 95 to the target high risk goods from emerging risk countries subject to random inspections. Original bulletin material can be found by scrolling to the original bulletin at the bottom of this email.

 

Change from Inspection (Secure – Seals Intact) to Inspect (Unpack)

Containerised goods selected for random BMSB verification inspection were previously directed as Inspect (Secure – Seals Intact) inspections completed under the supervision of a Biosecurity Officer.
For the new BMSB season, the department will be conducting BMSB random inspections as Inspect (Unpack) inspections when conducted at an Approved Arrangement. Container unpacks will not be required to be completed under Biosecurity supervision.
Biosecurity Industry Participants at Approved Arrangements will be required to collect container sweepings once the container is unpacked and present these with the goods at the time of inspection by a Biosecurity officer.
For entries with multiple containers, containers not selected for inspection will be permitted to be delivered and deconsolidated.

Inspect (Unpack) direction examples

FCL/FCX containers

BMSB Inspection Required.
**Biosecurity industry participant must clean the floor of container after unpacking and secure contaminants in a durable and sealed bag/receptacle and be kept with the unpacked goods. Secured contaminants must be presented to a Biosecurity officer at inspection. If live insects are detected on opening container doors/during unpack, immediately close the doors, secure any unpacked goods and live insects, apply knockdown spray if required and notify the department**
Biosecurity officer to inspect goods and secured contaminants for BMSB and other BRM. If live insects found, secure goods immediately. Insect specimens alive or dead must be sent to OSS for ID.
Open Top and Flat Rack containers

BMSB Inspection Required.
**Biosecurity industry participant must clean the floor of container after unpacking and secure contaminants in a durable and sealed bag/receptacle and be kept with the unpacked goods. Secured contaminants must be presented to a Biosecurity officer at inspection. If live insects are detected on opening container doors/during unpack, immediately close the doors, secure any unpacked goods and live insects, apply knockdown spray if required and notify the department**
Biosecurity officer to inspect goods and secured contaminants for BMSB and other BRM. If live insects found, secure goods immediately. Insect specimens alive or dead must be sent to OSS for ID.
Break Bulk

BMSB Inspection Required.
Consignment must remain secure and intact. Inspect goods for BMSB and other biosecurity risk material. No cleaning to take place prior to inspection by the Department. Importers must ensure adequate access to all areas.
If live insects found, secure goods immediately. Insect specimens alive or dead must be sent to OSS for ID.
Onshore random verification inspections

  • All target high risk and target risk goods will be subject to random verification inspections and will be directed for treatment if BMSB is detected.
  • Where goods are shipped as break bulk, random inspections are required to be conducted at a Class 21.1AA or Class 1.1 AA (where permitted).
  • For goods shipped in flat rack and open top containers, these inspections will be able to be conducted at Class 1.1 and Class 1.3 AA.
  • Containerised goods will be directed for an inspect unpack at an Approved Arrangement (AA) site.
  • All random onshore verification inspections MUST be completed in a metropolitan location.
  • All goods must still meet the standard import conditions in the department’s biosecurity import conditions database (BICON) for all other biosecurity risks.

Note: Inspections conducted at a non-AA location or importers premises, will be completed as seals intact inspections under Biosecurity supervision. Where these containers have been treated with Sulfuryl Fluoride, third party treatment providers will be required to attend.
Emerging risk countries

United Kingdom and China have been identified as emerging risk countries for the BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection.

  • China – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 September to 31 December (inclusive).
  • United Kingdom – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 December to 30 April (inclusive).

In addition to target high risk goods, chapters 39, 94 and 95 will also be subject to random inspections for emerging risk countries only.
Goods from emerging risk countries do not require treatment for BMSB.
Mixed Goods Consignments

With the festive season , the department often sees containers that are packed with target risk or non-target goods having promotional or gifts packed in from suppliers in the lead up to the festive season. These goods are often tariffed as target high risk goods and render the container subject to BMSB measures.
In the past we have seen free promotional material added in such as glasses, metal champagne buckets etc all of which are tariffed as target high risk goods.

Please ensure if suppliers are placing these goods in the container, they are made aware of the requirements for BMSB and goods are treated accordingly prior to packing in containers.

Containers which are packed with a mix of target high risk, target risk and non-target goods, will be assessed for BMSB at the highest risk level.

Containers that are packed containing target high risk goods will require mandatory treatment for BMSB. Deconsolidation or removal of goods will not be permitted prior to the treatment in Australia. Containers that arrive with untreated target high risk goods will be directed for treatment onshore, and where this treatment cannot be conducted at the container level, the whole container will be directed for export.

 

 

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