Customer Advisory
- AUSTRALIA
KHAPRA BEETLE
Dear
Valued Customer,
In response to recent interceptions of khapra beetle on imported
cargo and containers into Australia, The Australian Department of Agriculture, Water
and the Environment has announced mandatory offshore treatment requirements for
target risk sea containers with effect from 12th April 2021.
The
Khapra beetle is a serious agricultural pest that poses a major threat to the
Australian grain industry, as Australia is recognised
globally as free of khapra beetle (Trogoderma
granarium), which is a serious grain and seed storage pest in
overseas countries (see below link for target risk countries). This exotic pest comes in second on
Australia’s most unwanted plant pest list.
Khapra
beetle target risk countries - Department of Agriculture
The most likely pathway for khapra beetles to enter Australia is
with the movement of contaminated goods, including grains, food stuffs,
personal effects and as a hitchhiker in shipping containers and a wide range of
cargo (plastic beads, nuts and bolts, timber doors).
Target risk container:
OOCL strongly recommends
customers to visit the relevant government website for any updates and amendments. A further update by the Department will be
published mid 2021 (date to be confirmed).
Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the export of
the container upon arrival in Australia with all costs for the cargo account.
Should you have questions
regarding the applicability of the rule to specific cargo that you may be
shipping, please contact the Department of Agriculture or your agent. Please
refer to the below link.
Sea
container measures to protect against khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) -
Department of Agriculture
Yours faithfully,
OOCL (Australia) Pty Ltd.
