Seafreight

2020-2021 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) seasonal measure

As per our previous newsletter, BMSB season is now underway.

The Season will be in effect for goods shipped from September 1, 2020 that arrive in Australian territory prior 31 May 2021 (inclusive)

In order to provide clarity at season's end, it is important to note that goods must be treated by an approved provider if exported between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 inclusive .

Any target high risk or target risk goods which are manufactured in or shipped from the target risk countries will be subject to the BMSB seasonal measures. This includes vessels that tranships from target risk countries.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

In addition, the department will also be undertaking random onshore inspections on goods from other emerging risk countries to verify pest absence in goods.

The department is also monitoring other countries through a lower rate of random inspections. These include all remaining European countries, Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Argentina and Uruguay.

Please CLICK HERE for a list of target risk countries, target high risk goods and high risk goods

Please CLICK HERE for a list of approved offshore treatment providers

Wharf increase to Infrastructure Levy

Increase to timeslot/infrastructure levy for FCL Imports/Exports

• Sydney: $245 per container
• Melbourne: $245 per container
• Brisbane: $245 per container
• Fremantle: $200 per container
• Adelaide: $200 per container

Urgent actions to address Khapra Beetle

Increase to The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment have advised us they are implementing urgent actions to address the risk of khapra beetle from entering Australia.

The measures are to be introduced in phases, with Phase 1 taking effect 3rd September 2020.

Phase 1 will place restrictions on importing unaccompanied personal effects (UPE’s) and low value sea or air shipments lodged via the SAC (Self-Assessed Clearance) system.

It is worth noting that the measures are only in place against the listed unprocessed materials. Goods that are commercially prepared and packaged and trade samples are exempt from the measures.

For the full details on the measures and the affected products, please CLICK HERE

Importing of any Timber Articles

For any shipping of timber articles, it may be accepted by Australian Biosecurity as being "Highly Manufactured" and low risk.

If so, a valid Manufacturers Declaration may be all that is required for Clearance (Please confirm with our CGL Customs team before export)

Note: MDF/Particle Board items MUST NOT contain ANY Solid Timber items – eg. Support/reinforcing pieces etc

Please contact us if you need a Manufactures Declaration template or if you have any questions/queries on if your product falls in the highly manufactured list or not

Illegal Logging Reminder

The Australia’s illegal logging laws ‘The Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012’ (the Act) seeks to reduce the harmful environmental, social and economic impacts of illegal logging by restricting the importation and sale of illegally logged timber products in Australia. The Act makes it a criminal offence to knowingly, recklessly or intentionally import illegally logged timber and/or timber products into Australia.

Please ensure that you know where your timber is coming from and having effective due diligence systems that are comprehensive and up to date.

Please CLICK HERE for a range of information to help you meet your due diligence obligations on illegal logging

Changes to import rules for equipment containing Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFC) depleting substances

From Jan 1 2020 the rules for Importing Goods with HCFC changed and goods will need to have an Import Permit – No Exceptions

If you have an enquiry about any Refrigeration Machines, Parts for machines or gas, please refer to the Dept of the Environment, to ensure your imports are compliant with current legislation.

At the time of import, we will need Manufacturer Technical Sheets or the website where we can obtain this information – confirming Equipment’s Technical Specifications including the Gas Type.

Written Approval or Permit (Confirming Model No etc) will be required to Import these goods.

The Changes are:

• From 1 January 2020 importing all types of HCFC equipment (including, for example, HCFC aerosols and HCFC fire protection equipment) will be banned, except in certain circumstances. This includes all equipment that uses HCFCs, even if it does not have gas in it at the time of import.
• From 1 January 2020, an equipment licence may be granted for import of HCFC equipment only in limited circumstances.
• From 1 January 2020 low volume imports of HCFC equipment without a licence will no longer be allowed.

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