BMSB season in Australia/New Zealand ready to start

Container shipping to Australia and New Zealand is becoming more complex – and that has nothing to do with Corona. From September 1, 2020, strict import regulations will apply in both countries, as every year, to prevent the introduction of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), which causes crop damage. The BMSB attaches itself to goods and packaging in containers as well as to vehicles and machinery. Target high risk goods are wood, tools or electrical goods – they must be treated with gas or heat. "The customer should allow an additional one or two days for this," says Dirk Haarhaus, Regional Managing Director Oceania at a. hartrodt in Milperra near Sydney.

Tradelane Australia/New Zealand

For sea freight, a. hartrodt organises fumigation or heat treatment at approved BMSB treatment providers. In Germany, however, the possibilities are limited and comparatively expensive. Experts for the Australia/New Zealand trade lane at a. hartrodt in Hamburg are each looking for the best and most cost-effective shipment. For a smooth process it is recommended to announce shipments 14 working days in advance.

Caution with shrink-wrapping

The risk countries were expanded to 35 in the 2020-21 season. Shipments from Portugal, Ukraine and Moldova are now also affected: "Documents proving the origin of goods are important," emphasises Haarhaus. Customers must be careful with plastic foil or other impermeable packaging: "This is not permitted for fumigation," warns the manager. For goods that are only to be treated in Australia, he gives an important clue: "With any shrink-wrapped pallets for export to Australia, the shrink-wrapping has to be slashed prior to being packed into the container, otherwise extremely high costs can be incurred".

The responsible departments in Australia and New Zealand have worked closely together to ensure consistent BMSB seasonal measures. In New Zealand, the season for incoming imports ends on April 30, 2021, in Australia on May 31, 2021. a. hartrodt's approximately 160 employees at the regional headquarters in Milperra (Australia) know the details – and are aware of the effects of a possible second corona wave.