Australia Biosecurity Requirements for Imports from China
Quick Answer: Biosecurity Is Separate From Customs
Australian biosecurity is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), not by the Australian Border Force. Customs clearance and biosecurity clearance are two parallel processes, and both must be satisfied before cargo is released. Biosecurity requirements depend on the goods, the packaging material, the origin and the current import conditions published in BICON, Australia’s Biosecurity Import Conditions system.
Authorities, Kept Distinct
| Authority | Scope |
|---|---|
| DAFF | Biosecurity: import conditions, inspection, treatment, packaging and quarantine risk material |
| Australian Border Force | Customs: import declaration, tariff classification, customs value, duty and GST |
| BICON | The system that publishes the current import conditions for specific goods |
Inspection, Treatment and Non-Compliance
DAFF conducts surveillance across cargo types, and where goods or packaging do not meet import conditions the department may direct treatment, export or destruction. DAFF states that non-compliant timber packaging will be sent for treatment, export or destruction at the importer’s expense. Whether inspection or treatment applies depends on the consignment and the current conditions — it is not something a freight forwarder can waive or guarantee.
Solid Timber Packaging and ISPM 15
ISPM 15 is the international standard for regulating wood packaging material in international trade. DAFF has incorporated ISPM 15 requirements into Australia’s import conditions, with alternative treatment options also set out in BICON.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Solid wood packaging | Pallets, crates, dunnage, cases, drums, load boards, pallet collars and similar must be treated and declared |
| Processed wood | Plywood, particle board, oriented strand board and veneer made with glue, heat or pressure are exempt from ISPM 15 |
| Thin wood | Packaging made entirely from wood 6 mm or less in thickness is exempt |
| Treatment and marking | Must meet ISPM 15 bark tolerance, be treated by a certified provider and carry the IPPC mark with treatment code (for example HT, MB, DH or SF) |
| Packing declaration | Required for containerised sea cargo (FCL and LCL); not required for air or break-bulk, which are subject to routine surveillance |
Note the distinction: ISPM 15 applies to wood packaging, not to wooden goods or products. A wooden product is assessed under the import conditions for that commodity, which is a different question from how it is packed.
BMSB Seasonal Measures
Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) seasonal measures apply during the defined risk season. For the 2026-27 season, measures run from 1 September 2026 to 30 April 2027 inclusive, based on the shipped-on-board date.
| Category | What It Means for China-Origin Shipments |
|---|---|
| Target risk countries | China is not listed among Australia’s target risk countries for this season, so goods shipped from China are not subject to mandatory BMSB treatment on that basis |
| Emerging risk countries | China is treated as an emerging risk country, which means certain goods — including products in HS chapters 39, 94 and 95 — may be subject to random onshore inspection |
| Air freight | Air consignments may be subject to random inspection; mandatory treatment does not apply to air freight |
| Vessel surveillance | Heightened vessel surveillance applies to vessels that berth, load or tranship from certain countries, including China |
Seasonal accuracy matters. BMSB measures change by season, and country lists and treatment options are reviewed. For 2026-27 the reported changes include a new onshore treatment option (ethyl formate), removal of the Rolled Goods Policy, and discontinuation of the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme. Because this is a seasonal, high-change area, confirm the current position with DAFF for your specific goods, origin and sailing date rather than relying on a previous season’s rules.
What to Prepare Before Shipping
- Accurate description of the goods and their material
- Details of all packaging, including whether any solid wood packaging is used
- ISPM 15 treatment and marking evidence where solid timber packaging is used
- A completed packing declaration for containerised sea cargo
- HS codes, to identify whether the goods fall in a category attracting additional attention
Scope Note
This page explains how Australian biosecurity affects shipping and clearance planning. It is not a biosecurity assessment and not a treatment service. Inspection, treatment and clearance decisions rest with DAFF and approved treatment providers. Requirements depend on the goods, packaging, origin and current Australian import conditions — confirm the current position before dispatch.
Official Sources Consulted
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) — biosecurity and timber packaging
- BICON — Australia’s Biosecurity Import Conditions system
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Biosecurity is separate from customs, which is administered by the Australian Border Force. Both processes must be satisfied before cargo is released.
No. Inspection depends on the goods, packaging, origin and current import conditions, and DAFF conducts surveillance across cargo types. Non-compliant packaging can be directed for treatment, export or destruction at the importer’s expense.
No. ISPM 15 applies to wood packaging material such as pallets, crates and dunnage — not to wooden goods or products. Processed wood such as plywood, particle board and OSB, and packaging made entirely from wood 6 mm or less, are exempt.
Not automatically. For the 2026-27 season China is not among Australia’s BMSB target risk countries, so mandatory treatment does not apply on that basis. China is treated as an emerging risk country, so certain goods — including HS chapters 39, 94 and 95 — may face random onshore inspection, and air consignments may also be inspected. Confirm the current position with DAFF before shipping.
For containerised sea cargo, yes — FCL and LCL consignments require a packing declaration completed by the packer. It is not required for air or break-bulk consignments, which are subject to routine surveillance instead.