The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) have announced new seasonal measures for brown marmorated stink bug.

The new seasonal measures will apply for goods shipped on or between 1 September 2018 to 30 April 2019 inclusive. These measures will include mandatory treatment and increased intervention before arrival into Australian territory.

Draft Measures
The proposed seasonal measures apply to certain goods shipped as sea cargo from target risk countries.
DWAR will publish details of final seasonal measures soon.
This will include applicable goods and countries, and specific treatment rates.
We suggest that clients pay particular attention to the following:
• Register via airandseacargo@agriculture.gov.au to receive regular updates, it is in your interests to stay updated on this;
• Note the BMBS season dates are for goods shipped between 1 September to 30 April 2019 inclusive; and
• The expanded target risk list of countries now includes USA, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Japan* (*heightened vessel surveillance only):
• Expect extra costs and delivery delays for targeted goods/containers that need to undergo fumigation upon arrival into Australian Ports.

The treatments available - Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigation; Methyl Bromide Fumigation; and Heat Treatment.
The targeted high risk commodities and mandatory offshore fumigation:-
• Break bulk, including vehicles, machinery and equipment;
• Bricks, tiles, ceramics, steel, stone, cement;
• Goods likely to be stored in a manner that provides access for BMSB to overwinter.
Targeted risk goods that will be directed for increased onshore fumigation:-
• Chemicals, chemical products, salt, minerals, fertilizers;
• Wood pulp, printed matter, straw, paper, cardboard;
• Plastics, wadding, tyres.
Exempted goods:-
• Fresh produce (including nursey stock and plants);
• Live animals;
• Food for consumption (including beverages);
• Seeds for sowing;
• Registered pharmaceuticals.

For further information and queries please contact Shawn Solomons shawn@tomax.com.au or Stephen Edwards stephen@tomax.com.au

According to federal authorities, Australian wine export values and volumes are at a new record high. Assistant agriculture minister Senator Anne Ruston said "wine regions across Australia are benefiting from growing export opportunities. They are a win for the wine industry and a win for regional Australia. The Turnbull Government continues to back business to invest and create more jobs."

Export volumes are up 10% to 852m litres and the value of wine exports are up 20% to $2.76bn, the highest rate of growth in the value of wine exports in 15 years. With values growing at twice the rate of volumes, it goes to show that the international market value our quality wines. Free trade agreements were also helping open up new market opportunities for grape growers and winemakers alike.

“The market in China is continuing to expand with the value of wine exports up 55 per cent to $1.12 billion and volume up 47% in the year to June 2018,” Senator Ruston said.

As of the 08/08/2018, there will be two new community protection questions, in reference to paprika, dried pepper, dried chilli dried capsicum, spices and spice mixes.

The questions are as follows –
‘IFIS: Are the goods pepper or peppercorn that is ready-to-eat without cooking?’
‘IFIS: Are the goods paprika, dried chilli, dried capsicum or other dried fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta that are ready-to-eat without cooking?'

The reason for the above is a result of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources looking in to the risk statement issued by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which provides information on products that pose a medium to high risk to public health and safety.

As your broker, it would be most appreciated if when importing these products you could provide us with a statement that will enable us to answer the above questions with certainty.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) recently seized ten Chinese-made pianos falsely claiming to be "Australian Made" under its operational focus on trade enforcement.

The instruments arrived into Brisbane on 2 June 2018 and carried a number of logos and stamps, including one very similar to the iconic green-and-gold Australian Made logo. The logo claimed the products were “designed and assembled in Australia”. ABF officers contacted the Australian Made Campaign Ltd (AMCL), and on 18 Jue 2018 formally seized the goods under the Trade Marks Act 1995 for infringing trademarks held by AMCL under the Notice of Objection Scheme. (A Notice of Objection gives the ABF the authority to intercept and detain suspected counterfeit goods for a period of time, allowing a rights holder to take legal action against the importer.)

The importer initially filed a claim to have the seized goods released, providing evidence that they had registered the AMCL logo as a trademark in China. It was suspected that the pianos were to be transhipped back to China and would likely have been passed off as “Australian Made”. The importer later consented to forfeit the items.

ABF Regional Commander Queensland Terry Price said the ABF, as Australia’s customs service, plays a vital role in protecting the reputation of Australian-Made goods. “Australia has an excellent reputation for producing quality products and we know that unscrupulous businesses will try to exploit that by falsely claiming their goods are Australian made,” Regional Commander Price said. “By detecting and seizing these goods we are protecting Australian companies and ensuring a level playing field for those companies that do the right thing by finding and penalising those that do not.”

The items are currently being held while arrangements are made for their disposal.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has arrested and charged at 35 year old man in relation to his alleged position as a delivery driver in a sophisticated tobacco smuggling syndicate based in Sydney.

The ABF began an investigation in January 2018 after a number of consignments of illicit cigarettes from China were identified by officers at the Sydney International Mail Gateway. Working closely with Australia Post, ABF investigators identified a contracted delivery driver, allegedly linked to the consignments. ABF alleges that the individual was using his position to facilitate the importation of the tobacco, which were sent to fake addresses in Sydney whereby he intercepted the consignments.

With about 350,000 illicit cigarettes and 1,200 kg of tobacco seized and more than $1.5 million in evaded duty, this operation will have a significant impact on the illicit tobacco market in Sydney.

Here are a couple of laughs to ease you into the weekend.

Did you hear about the crook who stole a calendar?
He got 12 months.

What did the ocean say to the sailboat?
Nothing. It just waved.

What do you call a cheese that isn't yours?
Nacho Cheese.

Why couldn't the bicycle stand up by itself?
It was two tired.

Did you hear about the semi-colon that broke the law?
He was given two consecutive sentences.