TL;DR: Australia’s 2025/26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season runs from 1 September 2025 to 30 April 2026. Goods shipped from target risk countries are subject to seasonal measures, with mandatory treatment for target high-risk goods (specific tariff categories) and random inspections for target risk goods. Offshore treatment—using methyl bromide, sulfuryl fluoride, heat, or ethyl formate (new in 25/26)—is strongly preferred, as untreated goods will be re-exported on arrival. Valid treatment certificates and sealing declarations are required. Airfreight is largely exempt, though target high-risk goods from the USA and China may face random checks. Importers should plan for stricter compliance, prepare accurate documentation, and consult licensed customs brokers to avoid costly delays.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has finalised its seasonal measures for the 2025-26 BMSB risk season commencing 1 September 2025 and running through until 30 April 2026.
Any goods shipped from “target risk countries” with a departure date during this period will be subject to BMSB measures.
Target Risk Countries
The complete list of target risk countries is as follows:
*Heightened vessel surveillance will be the only measure applied to Japan, China and South Korea
In addition to the above, there are four “emerging risk countries” where goods from these countries may be selected for a random onshore inspection: the United Kingdom, China, Japan and South Korea.
Target High-Risk Goods
Goods falling within specific tariff classification categories are regarded as “target high-risk goods”, and treatment for BMSB is mandatory.
Target Risk Goods
Goods falling within other classification categories are regarded as “target risk goods” and will not require mandatory treatment. These goods will, however, be subject to increased onshore intervention via random inspections.
In addition to the target high-risk goods, chapters 94 (furniture) and 95 (toys, games and sporting equipment) will be subject to random inspections for the two emerging risk countries.
A complete list of Target High-risk Goods and Target Risk Goods can be found here. Goods not listed in these categories do not require treatment. They may, however, be subject to the measures if they are part of a container or consignment that contains target high risk or target risk goods.
Required Measures
FCL / FCX containers treated onshore will be treated at the container level, and deconsolidation or removal of goods (for example, exempt goods) will not be permitted. The following table outlines the risk groups and treatment intervention required.
The following measures will apply according to the different modes of transport:
*Offshore is preferred to remove the need to unpack overpacked and tightly packaged items for treatment, increasing delay and cost to the importer.
- Goods requiring offshore treatment and arriving untreated will be prevented from discharge and directed for re-export on arrival
- All target risk goods will be subject to increased onshore intervention through random inspection
- Goods not categorised as Target High Risk or Target Risk are not subject to BMSB measures unless they are part of a consignment/container that contains target high-risk and target-risk goods
Treatment Options
DAFF will accept four treatments for BMSB affected goods. Dosage rates are available from your Magellan Customs team.
- Methyl Bromide
- Sulfuryl Fluoride
- Heat Treatment
- Ethyl Formate ( new for 25/26 season )
Offshore treatment must be completed within 120 hours of containers being sealed or, in the case of breakbulk cargo, the “onboard” date.
Valid treatment certificates with consignment links (e.g., Bill of Lading number, container number, commercial invoice number, etc.) must be provided as evidence of offshore treatment.
Offshore treatment providers approved by DAFF may only carry out the treatment.
BMSB Sealing Declarations
Sealing declarations, completed and signed by either the exporter, freight forwarder, or shipping company at the port of origin, will be required in the following circumstances:
- Goods were containerised before September 1, but shipped after this date, or;
- The Bill of Lading does not state the ‘shipped on board’ date (which is deemed the date of export).
- Goods were sealed inside a container within 120 hours of treatment occurring offshore (for treatments conducted before December 1).
Airfreight
Airfreight is generally exempt from the BMSB scheme; however, DAFF have indicated that target high-risk goods arriving as airfreight from the USA and China will now be subject to random inspections.
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Magellan Logistics provides freight and logistics services to all industries, including sea freight, air freight, customs clearance, project logistics, carbon offset freight, and MagTrack’s digital freight portal, providing 24/7 visibility of all your shipments.
Get in touch: 1800 595 463 or duncan.g@maglog.com.au, should you have further questions regarding Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs 2025/25 or to discuss how we can help streamline your customs clearance processes.
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About Duncan Graham: With over 20 years as a Licensed Customs Broker Duncan is committed to his ethos of exceeding customers’ expectations and the quest for operational excellence. Having had exposure to all facets of forwarding, Duncan isn’t surprised by anything and deftly handles all freight scenarios that come his way.
