Australia: Seasonal Measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has announced that seasonal measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) will remain in place for the 2025–2026 BMSB risk season, commencing 1 September 2025 and running through 30 April 2026.

These measures aim to manage the risk of BMSB, an invasive pest that continues to expand rapidly across Europe and North America, from entering and establishing in Australia.

Key BMSB Seasonal Measures for 2025–2026

BMSB seasonal measures will apply to:

• Targeted goods manufactured in, or shipped from the target-risk countries between 1 September 2025 and 30 April 2026 (inclusive)

• Certain goods (HS Code-based) manufactured in, or shipped from target-risk countries, and/or
• Vessels that berth, load, or tranship from these countries during the same period.

• Seasonal settings have been established using scientific, intelligence, and evidence-based data, including findings from the 2024–2025 onshore verification activities.

The department has also worked closely with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the 2025-2026 measures to ensure both Australia and New Zealand’s BMSB seasonal measures are consistent across the two countries (where possible).

Break Bulk, RO RO, Flat Rack or Open Top Containers.

• All target high-risk goods shipped as Break Bulk, RO RO, Flat Rack or Open Top Containers must be treated off-shore before arriving at the Australian port of discharge.
• Subject to unit/machinery manufacturing date compliance requirements. 
• Untreated goods shipped in these formats will be directed for export, as onshore treatments are not permitted.

Containerised Cargo. 20 FT GP, 40 FT GP & 40 FT HC

• Cargo arriving in sealed six hard-sided containers containing high-risk goods can be treated offshore or at the port of destination in Australia.

Target Risk Countries

Any target high-risk or target-risk goods that are manufactured in or shipped from the target-risk countries will be subject to the BMSB seasonal measures. . Vessels loading, transhipping, or berthing from these countries are also included:

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

Additionally, random onshore inspections will continue for goods imported via airfreight from the USA and China during the 2025–2026 BMSB season.

Stay Informed

We will continue to keep you updated. For complete details and the official announcement, visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s official page.

Best regards,

NNR Global Logistics Australia Pty Ltd.

Stay informed with the latest industry updates by exploring the full range of articles here.