DAWR issues Notice on Expected Delays under 2018-19 BMSB Seasonal Measures. Update on BMSB FAQs List.
Further to the Update in AFIF Weekly News yesterday. DAWR has issued the below Notice to Industry, forewarning of expected delays when consignments shipped from high risk countries after 1 September start to arrive in Australian ports.
DAWR says the additional workload associated with BMSB related clearances is likely to impact the department’s capacity to meet published service standards in the Client Service Charter more broadly. The greatest impact is expected to be in ports in Sydney and Melbourne.
This is due to a combination of factors, including the identification of treated and untreated containerised cargo, limited onshore capacity of storage facilities at approved arrangement sites and onshore treatment provider premises, and implementation of manual processes to accommodate industry’s request to allow onshore treatment option for LCL consignments.
While onshore treatment is allowed for FCL/FCX, FAK/LCL, the department’s preference is offshore treatment.
Importers are strongly encouraged to have their target high risk goods treated by an approved offshore provider prior to arrival into Australia to facilitate clearance on arrival.
DAWR IAN 116-2018 - Expected delays under 2018-19 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) seasonal measures
Who does this notice affect?
Clients in the import and shipping industries—including freight forwarders, importers and customs brokers—associated with importing goods during the 2018-19 BMSB risk season (shipped between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 inclusive) especially goods that require increased intervention.
What has changed?
The department has implemented the seasonal measures for the 2018-19 BMSB risk season for certain goods shipped to Australia between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 inclusive.
This season’s measures to include goods manufactured in, or shipped from an expanded list of target risk countries is likely to result in extensive clearance delays at the border. Further, the additional workload associated with BMSB related clearances is likely to impact the department’s capacity to meet published service standards in the Client Service Charter more broadly. The greatest impact is expected to be in ports in Sydney and Melbourne.
This is due to a combination of factors, including the identification of treated and untreated containerised cargo, limited onshore capacity of storage facilities at approved arrangement sites and onshore treatment provider premises, and implementation of manual processes to accommodate industry’s request to allow onshore treatment option for LCL consignments.
The department has sought to address the additional workload by creating additional capacity to assist with the expected demand. However, given the number of variables in estimating workload, the department strongly recommends that industry adopt the following steps where possible, to manage the expected increased onshore delays.
Industry are strongly encouraged to have their target high risk goods treated by an approved OFFSHORE provider prior to arrival into Australia. For the current list of treatment providers, please see the Offshore BMSB treatment providers scheme. This list is being updated regularly as more providers become approved.
Cargo reports and Full Import Declarations (FIDs) should be lodged accurately and as early as possible. This will greatly assist with identifying and assessing goods for biosecurity risk, including those treated and untreated for BMSB risk.
The department will actively monitor workloads and will continue to work closely with industry.
Further information
For further information regarding the 2018-19 BMSB measures, visit the BMSB webpagewww.agriculture.gov.au/bmsb or contact Air and Sea Cargo
Update on BMSB FAQs List
As advised in AFIF Weekly News yesterday, the FAQs list has been delayed due to DAWR responding to many enquiries with individual circumstances. DAWR has advised AFIF today, the FAQs list is almost completed and will be released early next week.
AFIF will advise when the BMSB FAQs List is posted on the DAWR website.
Regards
AFIF Team
Source: http://www.afif.asn.au