31 July 2026
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries, including Master Consolidators, shipping lines, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers and customs brokers associated with shipping or importing goods subject to BMSB seasonal measures.
What has changed?
Following a review of the department's BMSB seasonal measures, the following alternative clearance pathways will cease for the 2026-27 BMSB season:
- The BMSB Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme.
- The BMSB rolled goods policy.
Reason for the changes
The Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme and Rolled Goods Policy have provided alternative clearance pathways for some goods in past seasons.
Following departmental risk assessment, informed by BMSB inspection and detection data from the last and previous seasons, these pathways will be removed to further reduce the risk of BMSB incursion and ensure goods subject to the seasonal measures are managed through clear, legislated pathways that align with the Goods Determination.
These arrangements are determined not to provide a level of protection equal to the current BMSB treatment-based settings and loading requirements.
Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme
The Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme will not be available from the 2026-27 BMSB season onwards. New applications will not be accepted. Approvals provided for the 2025-26 BMSB season will not have effect going forward.
Importers that previously used the scheme should review their supply chains and ensure arrangements are made to meet standard BMSB seasonal measure requirements, including mandatory treatment where required.
Previous participants are reminded that where target high risk goods are shipped in sealed six hard sided containers, BMSB treatment can occur either before export or on arrival in Australia at the container level. Early planning will help reduce the risk of delays, refused discharge or export directions for goods that do not meet the 2026-27 seasonal measures.
The department will be contacting current scheme participants directly.
Rolled goods policy
The rolled goods policy will not be available from the 2026-27 BMSB season onwards. Goods shipped as break bulk, including in open top, flat rack or modified containers, must meet the relevant post-treatment loading requirements where applicable.
Where goods do not meet the relevant BMSB post-treatment requirements, they must be retreated offshore before arrival. Goods that arrive in Australia without meeting the relevant treatment (including loading requirements) will be denied discharge and/or directed for export to be treated offshore prior to return.
The department's in-transit policy will continue to be available. This allows, subject to pre-arrival application and approval, onshore re-treatment for eligible break bulk goods (including open top, flat rack and modified containers) shipped on board prior to the relevant treatment provider being placed under review or suspended. Importers should refer to the Preparing to import BMSB goods webpage for information about when this pathway may apply.
Further information
When the changes apply
The changes will apply from the commencement of the 2026-27 BMSB season.
The department will update the BMSB webpages, BICON and related guidance material before the commencement of the season. Industry is encouraged to review the updated requirements before shipping goods to Australia.