BMSB seasonal measures 2026-27: what importers need to know
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a serious threat to Australian agriculture. It feeds on a wide range of fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops and often hitchhikes on imported cargo and vessels. DAFF’s seasonal measures for the 2026-27 season apply to targeted goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027.
Who is affected
DAFF lists 41 target risk countries, including the United States, Canada, Russia and most of Europe. The United Kingdom, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea are emerging risk countries. Goods shipped from those four countries may be selected for random onshore inspection.
What must be treated
Target high risk goods must be treated. These include machinery, vehicles, steel, timber, stone and ceramic products. Target risk goods, such as plastics, rubber, paper and chemicals, are subject to random inspection rather than mandatory treatment.
Approved treatments
DAFF recognises four treatment options: heat, methyl bromide, sulfuryl fluoride and ethyl formate. Ethyl formate is new as an onshore treatment option this season. DAFF has also removed the Rolled Goods Policy and the Safeguarding Scheme.
Vessels and airfreight
Roll-on roll-off vessels that berth, load or tranship in target risk countries during the season must complete crew inspections and a mandatory seasonal pest inspection on arrival. Target high risk goods sent as airfreight from the United States and China may be randomly inspected, but treatment is not required.
For UBL, the inclusion of ethyl formate alongside the established fumigants is a clear sign of the shift toward safer, more sustainable treatment options. Our patented Fume8 technology is built around on-site ethyl formate delivery.
Read the full DAFF guidance:
Seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) | DAFF
