Risk Management Proposal : 
Amendments to the  
Import Health Standard for Sea Container from All Countries  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepared for public consultation   
by Treatments and Inanimate Pathways Group  
Plants and Pathways Directorate  
 
  
 
 
 
 
14 May 2020 
  
 
 
Disclaimer  
 
While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industri es 
does not accept any responsibility or liability for error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be present, nor for 
the consequences of any decisions based on this information.  
 
This publication is also available on the Ministry for Primary Industries  website at  
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/publications/   
 
  
© Crown Copyright - Ministry for Primary Industries  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       i Contents  Page 
 
1 Information on the Consultation Process for the Amendment to the Import Health Standard for Sea 
Containers from All Countries  2 
1.2 Purpose  2 
1.3 Background  2 
1.4 Timing and Consultation  2 
1.5 Background and Context to Consultation  2 
2 Biosecurity Risk Associated with Sea Containers  3 
2.2 Overall Biosecurity R isks 3 
2.3 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug  3 
3 Proposed changes to the Standard  4 
3.2 Non-Regulatory Changes to the Standard  4 
3.3 Proposed Changes to the Requirements for Sea Containers  4 
4 Rationale for the Proposed Change to  the Standard  5 
4.1  Changes to the Application Clause  5 
4.2  Changes to Part 2 – General Biosecurity Requirements  5 
4.3 Changes to Part 3 Specific Requirements – BMSB requirements  5 
4.4 Removal of Part 3  6 
5 Feasibility of the Proposed Change to the Standard  6 
6 REFERENCES  7 
Appendix I   The proposed standard layout  8 
Appendix II   Detailed summary of all proposed changes  12  
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       1 Submissions  
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment from interested parties on the amended  Import Health 
Standard Sea Containers from All Countries  (the Standard) .  
 
An Import Health Standard  “specifies requirements to be met for the effective management of risks associated 
with importing risk goods, including risks arising because importing the goods involves or might involve an 
incidentally imported new organism ” (section 22(1) Biosec urity Act 1993).  
 
MPI is seeking comment on the following changes to the Standard : 
1. the extens ion of the current  emergency measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Italian sea 
containers until 30 April 202 2; 
2. inclusion of Italian cargo during the Brown Mar morated Stink Bug risk season in the application section ;  
3. the inclusion of the Quarantine Declaration in Schedule 2; and  
4. the minor amendments to the wording and layout of the standard.  
 
MPI encourages respondents to forward comments electronically. Please include the following in your 
submission:  
 The title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email;  
 Your name and title (if applicable);  
 Your organisation’s name (if applicable); and  
 Your address.  
Send submissions to: standards@mpi.govt.nz   
 
However, should you wish to forward submissions in writing  (hard copy) , please send them to the follo wing 
address to arrive by close of business on 17 July  2020 :  
 
Treatments and Inanimate Pathways  Group  
Plants & Pathways Directorate  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
 
Submissions received by the closure date will be considered during the development of the final IHS. 
Submissions received after the closure date may be held on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next 
revised/reviewed.  
 
 
Official Information Act 1982  
Please note that your submission is public information and it is MPI policy to publish submissions and the review 
of submissions on the MPI website. Submissions may also be the subject of requests for information under the 
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters 
unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate 
grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such  as the information is 
commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information 
requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.  
 
  
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       2 
 1 Information on the Consultation Process for the Amendment 
to the Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All 
Countries  
 
1.2 Purpose  
The purpose of this document is to:  
 Provide relevant background information about the Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All 
Countries (the Standar d); 
 Clarify the proposed amendments to the requirements for the Standard;  
 Provide the rationale for the proposed Standard  amendments and how they manage risk; and to  
 Seek feedback on the proposed Standard amendments to importing requirements.  
1.3 Background  
Background information on the Standard  
The Standard was last amended and reissued 19 July 2019.  The Standard is issued under section 24A of the 
Biosecurity Act (1993) to manage the biosecurity risks associated with the importation of sea containers in to New 
Zealand.  The Standard applies to any sea container that is imported into New Zealand from any country.  
1.4 Timing and Consultation  
The proposed Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries was released for consultation on 14 
May 2020  and will remain open for consultation until 17 July  2020 . 
1.5 Background and Context to Consultation  
1.5.1 INTERNATIONAL REGULA TION OF RISK GOODS  
The World Trade Organisation and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreements set in place rules that protect 
each count ry’s sovereign right to take the measures necessary to protect the life or health of its people, animals, 
and plants while at the same time facilitating trade. It embodies and promotes the use of science -based risk 
assessments to manage the risks associate d with the international movement of goods. “The SPS Agreement will 
continue to guide how New Zealand sets standards and makes decisions related to biosecurity. In particular, it will 
be important to maintain the standards of transparency and scientific ri gour required by the SPS Agreement, and 
to make decisions as quickly as possible. This will encourage other countries to comply with the rules of the SPS 
Agreement, and also demonstrate that New Zealand’s strict controls are justified to countries that cha llenge them.” 
Balance in Trade [online reference ISBN 978 -0-478-33881 -2]. 
1.5.2 DOMESTIC REGULATION OF BIOSECURITY RISKS  ASSOCIATED WITH SEA 
CONTAINER  ARRIVALS  
The New Zealand biosecurity system is regulated through the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act). Section 22 of the Act 
describes an Import Health Standard and requires all risk goods arriving New Zealand to be managed by one.  MPI 
is the New Zealand government Ministry responsible for maintaining biosecurity standards for the effective 
management of risks associated with the importation of risk goods and craft into New Zealand (Part 3, Biosecurity 
Act 1993).  MPI is committed to the principles of transparency an d evidence -based technical justification for all 
phytosanitary measures, new and amended, imposed on importing pathways.  MPI periodically reviews import  
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       3 
 health standards, related documents and other standards so that the legal requirements are clear and t hat 
information is consistently presented and easy as possible to understand.   
 
2 Biosecurity Risk Associated with Sea Containers  
2.2 Overall Biosecurity R isks 
The biosecurity risks associated with the arrival of sea containers in New Zealand are well documente d 
(Brockerhoff et al, 2016; MAF, 2002, 2006 ; and 2008; MPI, 2018 and 2019).  While this document will not be re -
addressing these documented risks, they can be broadly divided into two categories  as: 
 
 Directly associated with sea containers : these are found  on or within the sea container but not 
associated with any cargo. For example, insects such as ants (MAF, 200 6), moths (MAF, 2008), and other 
species (Brockerhoff et al, 2016) (MAF, 2002) that become associated with  the sea containers during 
packing and u npacking.  
 Indirectly associated with sea containers : these are found within  or on  the materials or cargo 
transported within the sea containers . For example, arthropods such as ants, spiders, and other species 
such as Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (MPI, 2018 &  2019) and rodents (MPI unpublished data) that have 
escaped from a good, product or item into the sea container.  
2.3 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug  
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug ( Halyomorpha halys ) or BMSB is a temperate subtropical spec ies of stink bug native 
to Asi a (China  (including Taiwan ), Japan and  Korea ).  BMSB is a plant feeding insect that feeds on the leaves and 
fruits of field crops and trees (including  domestic, horticultural, and nativ e trees), as well as production forestry tree 
species.  
BMSB is not present in New Zealand and is considered to be one of New Zealand’s top regulated contaminating 
pest that requires management (irrespective of country of origin) (MPI 2012, 2018, 2019).  The risk BMSB poses 
to New Zealand is detailed in the fol lowing MPI documents:  
1. Pest Risk Assessment of Halyomorpha halys  (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug). 2012. Ministry for Primary 
Industries, New Zealand  
2. Technical Review: Proposed Treatments for BMSB ( Halyomorpha halys  (Stal); Pentatomidae). Version 
1.2 February 2 018. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand  
3. Technical Advice: Supplement to Pest Risk Assessment of Halyomorpha halys (Brown marmorated stink 
bug). Version July 2018. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
4. Burne, 2019, Pest Risk Assessment: Ha lyomorpha halys (Brown marmorated stink bug). Version 1, June 
2019. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand  (referred to hereon in as 2019 BMSB PRA)  
These risk documents outline the scientific justification for the management of BMSB across several pa thways, 
detail how MPI established the BMSB risk period ( 1 September until 30 April of any year) , measure  and treatment 
specifications.  While these details will not be repeated in this document, they are the underpinning justification for 
managing BMSB along the sea container pathway.   
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       4 
 3 Proposed changes to the Standard  
3.2 Non-Regulatory Changes to the Standard   
Overall changes have been made to the form and format of the Standard to align with MPI’s current standardised 
format for Import Health Standards.  This ensures  that the legal requi rements are clear, consistently presented and 
are as easy as possible to understand.  
 
This includes:  
 Changing the order of requirements within the Standard, which will in turn change their numbering; and  
 Updating  the generic wording associated with all Import Health Standards.  
 
None of these changes alter the intent of or the requirements within the Standard.  These are considered to be 
minor changes in accordance with section 24B(2) of the Act and as such do not require consultation under section 
23(3) of the Act.  
 
Please note that these minor changes have only been included for clarity and transparency purposes and they do 
not form part of the consultation.  
 
Guidance Material  
MPI is moving towards making guidance material available on the MPI website, and as such, has not prov ided a 
specific guidance document for the proposed Standard.  The current guidance document for importing sea 
containers will remain available until the amended Standard is issued, after which all guidance material will be 
available on the MPI website.  
 
3.3 Proposed Changes to the Requirements for Sea Container s  
There are no overall changes to the requirement for all sea containers to arrive in New Zealand clean and free of 
regulated pests and biosecurity contamination, and to be accompanied by a quarantine declaration stating that at 
the time of packing the sea container me t the requirements of the S tandard.  
 
The most  substantive changes relate to the requirements for the management of BMSB in sea containers from 
Italy.  
 
The proposed changes are summarised as:  
1. Update to the Application of the Standard to include the contents of Italian sea containers during the 
BMSB ri sk season ; 
2. Update of the wording for the general requirement for sea containers to arrive clean and free of regulated 
pest and biosecurity contamination , including the addition of the requirement to only open a sea 
containers once an Inspector has provided  permission to do so ; 
3. Extending the  temporary emergency measures for Italian sea containers until 30 April 2022 ;  
4. Clarifying the intent of the post treatment requirements by restructuring and rewording these 
requirements;  
5. Removal of sect ions relating to tr ansport and T ransitional Facilities (as these are requirements  specified 
in the Act or  other MPI standards, or  are di rections given by an Inspector);  
6. Inclusion of the Quarantine Declaration as a Schedule; and  
7. Amending the wording of guidance material for Part 3 for additional clarity.  
 
For details on all chan ges please refer to:  
 Appendix I for proposed Standard wording and layout  
 Appendix II for detail ed explanation for the proposed changes  
 The proposed Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries  (view here )  
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       5 
 4 Rationale for the Proposed Change to the Standard  
4.1 Changes to the Application C lause  
Currently c lause 1.1 outlines that th e Standard  applies to all sea containers imported into New Zealand.   
Since 2017 ther e have been  requirements in Part 3 of the S tandard  for the goods of Italian origin within Italian sea 
containers during t he BMSB risk season.  Fo r clarit y and transparency, the proposed changes to the S tandard  
includes  this cargo in the application section.  This inclusion does not alter the requirements that have been in 
place  since 2017 . 
4.2 Changes to P art 2 – General Biosecurity R equirements  
4.2.1 THE INFORMATION AND TR EATMENT CERTIFICATIO N REQUIREMENTS  
What constitu tes an acceptable treatment certificate has been split from the generic information requirements and 
put into a separate clause.  This proposed layout is consistent with other MPI standard s and makes the treatment 
certificate requirements  clear and eas ily identifiable .  The proposed Standard now requires all treatment certificates 
to have standardised information that is consistent with the BMSB treatment certificates requirements agreed up on 
by both Australia and New Zealand.  
For consistency, clarity  and accessibility , a template for the quarantine declaration has been include d in the 
proposed Standard as a Schedule .  The only change to the information required within the declaration is that 
declarations are now required to be printed on company letterhead  or be stamped with company details .  The 
guidance information regarding appropriate packing of containers that require treatment has also be reworded for 
clarity, but the intent of the guidance remains the same.  
4.2.2 FREEDOM OF BIOSECURI TY CONTAMINATION AND  REGULATED PESTS  
While the requirement for sea containers to arrive clean and free of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination 
remains the same, the requirement has been reworded for clarity and to align with MPI standard ised formatting.  
The general requirement has also been amended to include the requirement from clause 3.3 (1 ) of the current 
Standard.  This is the requirement for the sea container to remain closed until MPI permissio n to open and unpack 
the sea co ntainer has been receive d by the Transitional Facility .  It has been moved into this section for clarity and 
transpar ency but the intent of the requirement remains unchanged.  
4.3 Changes to Part 3 Specific Requirements  – BMSB requirements  
4.3.1 ITALIA N SEA CONTAINERS  
Based on the information in the 2019 BMSB PRA, the risk of BMSB within Italian sea containers ( containing good s 
of Italia n origin ) remains sufficient to justify continued use of mitigation measures on this pathwa y.  MPI seeks to 
extend the use of existing mitigation measures for BMSB until 30 April 2022.  This will enable MPI to further monitor 
the presence  and risk  of BMSB on this pathway before implementing any permanent mitigation measures . 
The wording and layout of the BMSB requirements have been amended and updated to clarify the intent of the 
existing treatment requirements and to ensure that requirements are as clear as possible and easy to follow.   These 
amendments to wording and layout do not change th e intent of the current BMSB requirements.  
Guidance material relating to these requirements have also been amend ed for clarity and to further explain the 
intent of the requirements.   
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       6 
 4.3.2 RISK OF BMSB FROM OTHER SOURCE COUNTRIES  (EXCLUDING ITALY)  
As with other r egulated  contaminating pests , BMSB has been intercepted along pathways from its natural range 
for many years .  In China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan  the natural conditions and logistics of trade have generally 
kept it from becoming a serious contaminating pest in sea containers bound for New Zealand.  New Zealand has 
had and continues to have generic measures in the Standard  that have successfully manage th ese risks (to date ). 
While BMSB is spreading throughout th e Northern Hemisphere ( particularly in Europe and North America ), current  
interception data does not justify establishing BMSB requirements for sea containers  from other source countries  
at this time  (Burne, 2019) . The majority of in terceptions of BMSB from other non -native source co untries have 
been on particular  inanimate commodities within the sea containers and these are regulated in the  IHS for Vehicles, 
Machinery and Parts.   
4.3.3 REMOVAL OF THE 21 DA Y TIMEFRAME BETWEEN TR EATMENT AND  EXPORT  
MPI seeks to remove the 21 day time period within which, a treated sea container must be exported from Italy .  
MPI no longer considers that a specifically defined time frame is required between sealing a container (and its 
contents) within 24 hours of treatment and shipping from the county of export. Pr ovided  all other post treatment 
requirements of the Standard are met.   Based on the current information, BMSB is unable to enter a sea container 
once it has been treated and sealed.  Therefore, r equiring the sealed sea containers to be shipped from Italy within 
a defined timeframe is not considered to further reduce the potential infestation by BMSB . 
Extended post treatment  storage  of sealed sea containers  is also considered to further  reduce the risk of 
contaminating pests (including BMSB)  surviving transportation,  as extended storage prior to export increases the  
chances of mortality in an environment where food and water is not available.  
4.4 Removal of Pa rt 3 
MPI seeks to remove  all the requirements for sea containers in the current Part 3 (Inspection and Logistical 
Requirements) that are duplications of the requirements in the Act or other MPI standards.  
The requirements that relate to the manner in which a sea container can be discharged from a vessel, where it can 
go and under whose approval are requirements of the Act  and link to the requirements of existing standards  such 
as those for the Places of First Arrival and Transitional Facilities.   They are considered to be duplicat ing the Act  
and existing standards,  and the proposed S tandard seeks to make  them information rather requirements . 
The requirements relating to when  and by whom  a sea container can be first opened remai n requirements in  Part 
2 of the proposed S tandard.  
5 Feasibility of the Proposed Change to the Standard  
MPI does not propose any  new mitigation measures.  MPI seeks to extend the existing mitigation measures for 
BMSB in Italia n sea containers and to simplify and clarify the wording of the existing  mitigatio ns measures.  
Due consideration  has been give n to the feasibility of  extending the emergency mitigation m easures implemented 
to manage the  sudden presence of BMSB in sea containers from Italy.  In extending the BMSB requirements by 
another 2 years ( until 30 April 2022), MPI has given consideration to the cost to industry and the Crown and 
considers the risk of BMSB sufficient to justify the continued direct and indirect cost to both.  As the mitigation 
measure s have been in place since 2017, industry and the  Crown are aware of the costs and have factored them 
into this pathway.  In addition, the proposal seeks to extend the measures rather than make them permanent, as 
such further investigation in to the continued risk of BMSB on the sea container pathway can be undertaken  before 
any permanent measures are imposed.  
   
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       7 
 6 REFERENCES  
 
 
Brockerhoff, E.G., Bulman, S., Liebhold, A.M. & Monge, J.J. (2016 ). The role of unintentional movement of invasive 
contaminating pests (so -called “hitchhikers”) and opportunities for mitigation measures.  International Plant 
Protection Convention, Commission of Phyosanitary Measures, 11th Session (April 2016): Special To pics Session: 
Sea Containers.   
https://www.ippc.int/static/media/files/publication/en/2016/03/IN F_12_CPM_April_2016_Rev.1_Specialtopicsession_SeaCon
tainersComb_2016 -03-21.pdf  
 
Burne, A R (2019) Pest Risk Assessment: Halyomorpha halys (Brown marmorated stink  
bug). Version 1, June 2019. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand  
 
MAF (2002 ). Hazard identification and import release assessment: The introduction of red imported fire ants into 
New Zealand via the importation of goods and arrival of craft from Australia, the Caribbean, South America, and 
the USA. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Wel lington, New Zealand  
 
MAF (2006 ).  Biosecurity Monitoring Group: Sea Containers as a pathway for ant introductions. April 2006. 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. BMG/05 -06/07  
 
MAF (2006 ).  Biosecurity Monitoring Group: Monitring Research and Pathway Re view: Sea Containers. July - 
September 2006. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. BMG/06 -07/03  
 
MPI (2012 ). Risk analysis of Halyomorpha halys  (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug) on all pathways.  
Ministry for Primary Industries. www.mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/2909  
 
MPI ( 2018 ). Technical Review: Proposed Treatments for BMSB ( Halyomorpha halys  (Stal); Pentatomidae). 
Version 1.2 February 2018. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand . 
 
MPI (2018 ). Technical Advice: Supplement to Pest Risk Assessment of Halyomorpha halys (Brown marmorated 
stink bug). Version July 2018. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
 
Newfield M (2008) . Pest risk analysis for six moth species: lessons for the biosecurity system on managing 
hitchhiker organisms. New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Wellington, New  Zealand. (ISBN 978 -
0-478-33827 -0) https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/2905  
   
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       8 
 Appendix I  
The proposed standard layout  
 
Part 1 General Requirements  
6.1 Application  
(1) This Import H ealth Standard (IHS) applies to All sea containers that are imported into New Zealand from 
all countries; and  
(2) Part 3 of this IHS applies to all sea contain ers and their cargo that depart  from Italy on or after 1 
September and arrive in New Zealand on or before 30 April of any year until 30 April 2022 . 
 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  
(3) The following documents are incorporated by reference under S ection 142M of the Biosecurity Act 19 93: 
a) MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; and 
b) International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 23: Guidelines for Inspection  (ISPM 23) , 
International Plant Protection Convention.   
(4) Under S ection 142O(3) of the Biosecurity Act , it is declared that Section 142O(1) does not apply, that is, a 
notice under S ection 142O(2) of the Biosecurity Act is not required to be published before material that 
amends or replaces any material incorporated by reference has legal effect as part of those documents . 
1.3 Definitions  
(5) Definitions of terms used in this IHS are set out in  Schedule 1  of this document . 
(6) Terms used in this IHS that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out in the Act, unless a different 
meaning is given in Schedule 1. The Act is available at:  
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0095/latest/whole.html    
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       9 
 Part 2 General Biosecurity Requirements  
2.1 Information  
(1) The following documented information for all sea containers must be sent by importers and rec eived by  
MPI at least 12 hours prior to the arrival of the sea container (and cargo) in New Zealand :  
a) Sea container number;  
b) Sea container type;  
c) Country of origin;  
d) Port of loading;  
e) Port of discharge;  
f) Importer details;  
g) Exporter details;  
h) New Zealand specified  Transitional Facility destination;  
i) Quarantine declaration  (see Schedule 2) ; 
j) Complete and accurate description of the cargo or tariff code, including all packaging; and  
k) Treatment certificate ( where treated under Part 3 of this IHS ). 
2.2 Treatment Certific ates 
(1) All Treatment Certificates must include all of the following:  
a) Treatment Provider’s letterhead including name and physical address, except where an individual 
carries out residual treatment instead of a treatment provider;  
b) Certificate and registration number, except where an individual carries out residual treatment 
instead of a registered treatment provider;  
c) Description of the consignment – including quantity of containers and items;  
d) Name and address of exporter;  
e) Name and address of importer;  
f) Date upon  which treatment was completed;  
g) Signature of the Treatment Provider;  
h) Address where the treatment occurred;  
i) Treatment details specified in Approved Biosecurity Treatments including the type of treatment 
and products (where applicable) used, achieved treatment rate, exposure time period, end point 
readings (where applicable) etc; and  
j) A declaration that the Treat ment Provider has met all of the requirements specified in Approved 
Biosecurity Treatments.  
2.3 Requirement for freedom from regulated pests and biosecurity contaminants  
(1) All sea containers imported into New Zealand must:  
a) be clean and free of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination;  
b) remained sealed until an inspector gives permission for the sea container to be unpacked at a 
Transitional Facility; and  
c) be inspected  or check ed at a Transitional Facility by legally approved persons under the Act (for 
example, MPI In spectors or Accredited Persons).   
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       10 
 Part 3 Specific Requirements  
3.1 Sea containers from Italy  
The requirements  of this section apply until 30 April 2022 . 
 
Guidance  
Note 1: Italian sea containers that only contain cargo that have been treated or managed using a system for 
BMSB under the IHS for V ehicles, Machinery and Parts will be considered compliant with the treatment 
requirements of this IHS and will not be required to be “treated”. This is because the BMSB  requirements in the 
IHS for V ehicles, Machinery and Parts (managed using a system or treated)  are equivalent  to the  BMSB  
measures in this IHS,  
Vehicles, machinery and parts that have been treated or managed using a system for BMSB under the IHS for 
Vehicles, Machinery and Parts, and are p acked into FAK containers will be considered to be “treated” cargo 
under this IHS . 
3.1.1 All Italian sea containers (other than transshipped ) 
(1) All sea containers  and their cargo that depart from Italy on or after 1 September and arrive in New 
Zealand on or before 30 April of any year  must meet the requirements of clause 3.1.1 (2) or (3) . 
(2) Treatment  
a) Sea container s must be treated before arrival in New Zealand for BMSB : 
i) in accordance with MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; 
ii) by an MPI-Approved Offshore T reatment Provider ; and 
iii) must be accompanied by a Treatment Certificate (clause 2.2) ; and  
b) Treated sea containers can only be packed with cargo that have been treated for BMSB in 
accordance with MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments  by an MPI-Approved Treatmen t Provider  
and be accompanied by a Treatment Certificate (clause 2.2)  or that meet the requirements of 
clause 3.1.1(3); and  
c) Must m eet the following  post treatment requirements:  
i) Treated  Fully enclosed sea container s (six sided  metal sea c ontainer s) must be  sealed  
within 24 hours of  treatment and remain sealed ; or 
ii) Treated  Non-fully enclosed sea containers (includes flat rack, open sided/topped and 
soft topped sea con tainers)  must be kept segregated from untreated goods or other 
sources of possible BMSB treatment until export; and must exported from Italy within 120 
hours of treatment.  
 
Guidance  
Note 1: To prevent live BMSB contaminating a sea container, MPI anticipates that all sea containers are 
treated once they are fully packed.  Where a FAK container  contains cargo determined to be sensitive, or 
would be damaged by approved treatments, MPI anticipates that the container is packed with the non -
sensitive cargo and then treated, and within 24 hours of treatment the sensitive cargo is packed and the sea 
container sealed and remain sealed until it is exported from Italy.  
 
Where the sea container and cargo are treated separately (including FAK), MPI anticipates that the treated 
sea container is packed with both treated and sensitive cargo and sealed within 24 hours of treatment of the 
container and non -sensitive cargo and remain sealed until it is exported from Italy.  
  
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       11 
 Note 2: Segregation for non -fully sealed containers can be achieved through closing/covering of the open 
parts or side(s) of the sea containe r, physical distance or physical protection (nets).  
 
Note 3: The sea container may be subject to MPI verification activities on arrival . 
 
(3) Inspection  
a) Sea containers may be inspected by an Inspector instead of treated where:  
i) The importer has notified  MPI prior to arrival in New Zealand  that the sea container contains 
cargo that the importer considers is sensitive and would be damaged by the treatments for 
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) specified in the MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments ; 
and 
ii) A CTO has determined that  treatment may damage the cargo .  
 
Guidance  
Note 1: I f an importer considers  their cargo to be  sensitive to treatment, they should contact the local MPI 
office or refer to the MPI website at: https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/importing/border -clearance/co ntainers -
and-cargo/  for examples of goods that an MPI CTO generally considers to be sensitive to treatment . 
 
Note 2: Should non -compliances be found during MPI inspection of sensitive cargo, additional risk mitigation 
actions may be required, such as  treatment, re -shipment, or destruction . All agreed treatments are at the risk 
of the importer .  
 
Note 3 : MPI is likely to deny all untreated sea containers or treated sea containers with untreated non -
sensitive cargo from Italy from being discharged from arrivi ng vessels . 
 
3.1.2 ALL S EA CONTAINERS TRANSS HIPPED THROUGH ITALY  
(1) Fully enclosed sea containers originating from a country other than Italy and transhipped through an 
Italian port, must remain unopened  during the transhipment period.  
(2) Non-fully enclosed sea  containers originating from a country other than Italy and transshipped through an 
Italian port, must:  
a) Be transshipped through an Italian port for no longer than 120 hours; and  
b) Remain segregated from untreated cargo or other possible sources of BMSB  during this period.  
(3) If requirements (1) or (2) are not met, the container must be treated before arrival in New Zealand  in 
accordance with clause 3.1.1(2) as above .  
 
 
   
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       12 
 Appendix II  
Detailed s ummary of all proposed changes  
 
Requirements  Current Standard  Proposed Standard  
Application  1.1 Sets out t hat this standard applies to  Sea 
Containers from All Countries . This requirement has been added to:  
1.1 Sets out that this standard applies to:  
Sea Containers from All countries; and  
Sea containers and their cargo from Italy during 
the BMSB risk season.  
Explanation :  
As the requirements of Part 3 include the cargo 
within any sea containers exported from Italy, 
the application has been updated to include the 
Italian cargo  captured by the existing BMSB 
requireme nts. 
 
Incorporation by 
reference  1.2 Sets out which documents are incorporated 
by reference.  1.2 Sets out which documents are incorporated 
by reference.  
Definitions  1.3 Sets out where in the document the 
definitions are located.  1.3 Sets out where in the  document the 
definitions are located.  
Information  2.1 Sets out the general information 
requirement to accompany a sea container, 
including treatment certificate requirements in 
2.1 k) i) to x)  This requirement has been spilt to separate 
information requi red from what a treatment 
certificate must contain.  
2.1 Sets out the general information 
requirements to accompany a sea container, 
including the requirement to have a treatment 
certificate if treatment is required under the 
standard.  
2.2 Sets out the description of what a treatment 
certificate should be and what it should contain.  
Explanation :  
For clarity, the description of what a treatme nt 
certificate must include was moved fr om the 
information clause into  clause 2.2  Treatment 
Certificates . 
 
Freedom of 
regulated pests 
and biosecurity 
contamination  2.2 Sets out the requirements for all sea 
containers to arrive clean and free of regulated 
pests and biosecurity contamination and that all 
containers must be checked by an inspector 
and Accredited P erson.  This requirement has been set out differently 
and added to:  
2.3 (1) a) Sets out the requirement for all sea 
containers to arrive clean and free of regulated 
pests and biosecurity contamination ; and  
b) Sets out that all containers must remain 
closed until permission  to devan has been 
received at a Transitional Facility ; and  
c) Sets out that all sea containers must be 
checked by an inspector or Accredited Persons.   
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       13 
  
Explanation : 
Splitting the requirement provides clarity and 
separation of the two original requirements for 
sea containers.  Adding the requirement that all 
containers can only be open when authorised to 
do so by MPI at a TF, also clarifies this existing 
requirement.  
Despite  the formatting and wording changes, 
there are no act ual changes to the 
requirements. C urrently all sea containers must 
be clean and free of regulated pest and 
biosecurity contamination, accompanied by all 
the relevant information, remain closed during 
transport, be checked by either an Inspector or 
Accredited Persons, and  all Italian sea 
containers must meet the BMSB requirements.  
The proposed word ing does not alter the intent 
of the current requirements, rather provides 
further clarity  and removes doubt about  what is 
required . 
Sea Containers 
from Italy  Requirement 2.3 sets out the treatment or 
inspection requirements for BSMB in Italian sea 
containers:  
 
 That these requirements expire 30 April 
2020;  
 2.3 (1) sets out that all sea containers 
from Italy must be managed by either 
option A or B during the risk season (Sept 
to April);  
 2.3.(1) option A sets out what the 
treatment must be and post treatment 
requirements;  
 2.3 (1) option B sets out how 
commodities can be inspected instead of 
treated; and  
 2.3.1 Sets out how to manage sea 
containers trans shipped through Italy.  
 Part 3 sets out the treatment or inspection 
requirements for BSMB in Italian sea 
containers . 
The expiry date for these requirements has 
been extended to April 2022 . 
3.1.1(1) sets out that all sea containers from 
Italy must be managed by either 3.1.1(2) or (3) 
during the risk season (Sept to April);  
3.1.1(2) sets out what treatment must be 
applied  and when,  and the post treatment 
requirements;  
3.1.1(3) sets out how commodities can be 
inspected instead of treated; and  
3.1.2 Sets out how to manage sea containers 
transhipped through Italy.  
 
Explanation : 
MPI’s Pest Risk Assessment for BMSB was 
updated in 2019, highlighting the risk of BMSB 
in sea containers from Italy verses the risk from 
other countries in its invasive range.  Based on 
this assessment the risk of BMSB in sea 
containers remains high for Italy and justifies 
management.  The risk of BMSB (based on 
interception data and the scale and nature of 
trade) in sea containers from other countries in 
its native and invasive range does not currently 
justify miti gations measures for sea containers.  
As such, the temporary emergency BMSB 
requireme nts for Italy sea containers have  been 
extended  to 30 April 2022 and  no other  
Risk Management Proposal: Amended Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries                                                       14 
 measures have been proposed for sea 
containers from other source countries.  
Options A and B fo r the management of BMSB 
in Italian sea containers ha ve been reworded  
and renumbered to make them easier to follow 
and to add clarity of what is required.  The 
proposed word ing does not alter the intent of 
the current requirements, rather further explains 
it and removes doubt about the link between 
this IHS and the Vehicle, Machinery and Parts 
IHS, and outlines  MPI’s expectations for 
treatment of the sea containers.  The proposed 
wording still requires Italian sea containers to be 
treated  before arrival  or inspected for BSMB 
during the risk season, the treated sea 
containers be sealed and shipped within the 
same specified timeframe after treatment.  
The information in the guidance boxes has been 
updated to reflect the change in wording and to 
further clarify  MPI’s expectations.  
 
   
Inspection and 
logistical 
requirements  Part 3 Inspection and Logistical requirements 
for sea containers  
3.1 Sets out the Port management and 
transhipped containers movements  
3.2 Sets out Transportation requirements for 
uncleared  sea containers  
3.3 Sets out sea containers management within  
Transitional Facilities  
3.4 Sets out detection and management of 
biosecurity pests and contamination during the 
checks of a sea container.  These requirements have been removed from 
the standar d. 
Explanation : 
The Act sets out that sea containers can only be 
moved to and between transitional facilities  with 
MPI authorisation  or direction.  The Act also 
sets out that any detections are to be reported 
to MPI.  MPI’s Standards for Places of First 
Arrival and Transitional Facilities and 
subsequent approval of these places set out 
how they operate, including procedures relating 
to the movement, storage and unloading of an 
uncleared sea containers.  These approvals 
also set out the procedures operators must 
follow if a suspected risk is found.  
MPI ensures that all facility and places of first 
arrival standards link with all the relevant IHSs 
and craft risk management standards and any 
subsequent facility approvals.  As such, these 
requirements are not co nsidered relevant and 
do not need to be duplicated in this IHS.  
The requirement that relates to restricting when 
a sea container can be first opened and by 
whom remains a requirement of the proposed 
standard (clauses 2.3.(1) b) and c).