Australia's 2026/27 BMSB Season in Force: What China Exporters Need to Know

2026-10-13 / Customs & biosecurity

Season window and how dates are judged

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) applies BMSB seasonal measures to target goods shipped on board between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027 inclusive. The shipped-on-board date on the ocean bill of lading is decisive — gate-in dates are not accepted. Vessels that berth, load or transship at target risk country ports during the window are also covered.

What the rules mean for cargo from China

China stays on the emerging risk list this season, so mandatory treatment does not apply — but target high-risk goods face random inspection, as do airfreight consignments of high-risk goods from China. One practical trap: non-target goods packed in the same container as high-risk goods are managed together, so LCL and consolidation shippers should confirm what else is in the box.

Three changes this season

Ethyl formate is now approved for onshore treatment alongside methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride; the Rolled Goods Policy has been removed, so all cargo must be shipped or sealed within 120 hours of treatment with no extension; and the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme has been discontinued, with prior approvals no longer valid and no new applications accepted.

Which goods are high risk

Mandatory-treatment categories are set by tariff chapter: 44–45 (wood and cork), 57 (carpets and textile floor coverings), 68–70 (stone, ceramics, glass), 72–83 (base metals and articles), 84–85 (machinery and electricals) and 86–89 (rail stock, vehicles, vessels, aircraft). High-risk breakbulk — including flat racks and open-top containers — must be treated offshore before arrival; untreated breakbulk will be refused discharge or ordered for re-export.

What shippers should do

Check your HS codes against the high-risk chapters before booking to Australia; for LCL and consolidation cargo, confirm whether the same container carries high-risk goods; build the 120-hour window into treatment and loading plans; and clean machinery and vehicle cargo thoroughly before shipment to reduce inspection risk.