Each year Australia and New Zealand close their borders to the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) for the northern-hemisphere autumn and winter. The season runs for goods shipped from 1 September to 30 April inclusive, and the new 2026-27 season opens on 1 September 2026. The Netherlands is a target risk country, so a Rotterdam sailing to Australia or New Zealand in that window is in scope.
The timing trap
BMSB treatment has to happen offshore, before the goods are loaded — not on arrival. A sea voyage from the Netherlands to Australia or New Zealand realistically takes five to seven weeks with transhipment, and the treatment slot sits before all of that. Leave it to the booking and you miss the window: the box waits for a treatment date, the treatment waits for a provider slot, and the season clock keeps running. The practical rule is to line up the treatment weeks ahead, then plan the vessel around it.
Who may treat, and how
Only a government-approved treatment provider may carry out BMSB treatment, and the destination authority decides which methods count — DAFF for Australia, MPI for New Zealand. The accepted methods are heat treatment, methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride (with ethyl formate added under Australia's AusTreat scheme); which one is allowed depends on the goods and the destination's current rules, not on the cheapest option. Every treatment comes with a treatment certificate that travels with the shipment.
We arrange this through DAFF-approved providers in the Netherlands, Fumico and EWS Group, both on the official approved-provider list, with EWS treating at the BCTN terminal in Alblasserdam.
What this means for you
If you ship to Australia or New Zealand between September and April, decide the treatment before the booking. Check whether your goods are target high-risk (mandatory treatment) or target risk (random inspection), confirm the method the destination accepts, and reserve the provider slot early. The same shipment also has to meet ISPM 15 on any wood packaging. The full requirements per country are on our guides: Australia — biosecurity & BMSB and New Zealand — biosecurity & BMSB. DAFF usually publishes the exact 2026-27 measures around July or August; we will update our guides when it does.
Shipping down under this season? Email info@nexportlogistics.nl and we will set up the treatment and the timing before it gets tight.
Source: DAFF — Brown marmorated stink bug · New Zealand MPI.