Weekly Update 29 October 2019

Welcome to our new weekly update report for the BMSB season. We want to keep you informed of our work and answer your questions. We'll include eBACCa queue processing times and volumes.

This week

Sea freight queue

For the coming week, sea freight application turnaround is estimated at 3-6 days.

COB Friday 25th October status: There were 1,818 Sea Freight in the queue (includes Australian application) and TET were processing applications due back on 24th October (one day behind operational performance targets).

There were 786 applications to be left to be processed before Tuesday 29th October.

On Tuesday 29th October the total sea freight queue stood at 820 applications and TET are processing sea freight due back today.

Airfreight queue

For the coming week, air freight application turnaround is estimated at 3- 8 hours.

COB Friday 25th October status: there were 262 air freight applications left in the queue (includes Australia) all but 121 of these were due back 29th October.  The team was working 8 hours behind the operational performance target.  

On Tuesday 29th October morning there was no airfreight application in the queue.

Australia queue

For the coming week, Australia container applications turnaround is estimated at 2-3 days. 

COB Friday 25th October status: Australia queue stood 305  applications (11 Air, 294 Sea) with 77 consignments left to complete all of Friday’s due applications.

On Tuesday 29th October morning the Australian queue had 142 applications remaining with consignments being processed and due the same day.

• ICR processing – (Low value) the majority ICR were turned around within expected operational performance measures. A very small proportion of ICRs were processed over the operational performance target.
• Urgency manifest inbox up-to-date processing 50-100 incoming messages per day.

Pressure point:

There was a flurry of activity from agents, notably around 3pm onwards late Friday afternoon (before the long weekend) resulting in increased emails in the manifest inbox and staff and team leaders having to deal with “urgent requests”.  For upcoming public holidays please make sure your lodgements and urgent requests are at least lodged in the morning of the day before the long weekend/ public holiday to ensure that it will be done on the same day.

Many thanks to agents who have taken the time to add comments and clearly indicate cargo on bills of lading, as well as attaching treatment certificates.

A reminder for users of the urgency process to clearly indicate the reason for urgency as well as adding comments around the line type erg. Fresh produce, cut flowers etc.  In the subject line. 

Applications processed Weekly 21st October – 27th October.

All timings are based on business hours from 7am to 5pm.

Customer Enquiries Centre (CEC)

Number of emails sent to bmsb@mpi.govt.nz 

Number of emails sent to standards@mpi.govt.nz 

Questions and answers

Topic 1 – MPI-Approved Treatment Provider list vs Interim List

Example

We have the following enquiry from our Agent in Canada

I would like to enquire if SGS Canada Inc. is an MPI approved offshore treatment provider.

Answer

The offshore approved treatment provider list has been updated and SGS can be found under Canada. 

Topic 2 – How to prove exemption

Example

Currently the VMP tool on the website is down.

We are helping a client import 2 pallets of stainless steel fasteners, bolts and nuts etc from Italy. Do we have to fumigate this for BMSB?

Answer

The SEACO (Sea Container from all countries) standard specifies all cargo from Italy including the containers themselves are a risk.  Your cargo must be fumigated offshore by an approved offshore treatment provider.

Note SEACO outlines what cargo is considered sensitive and what cargo is excluded under the VMP standard, if imported under VMP standard with an approved system.

Topic 3 – Exclusions to mandatory offshore treatments for BMSB

Example

Could you please summarise the exclusion to the VMP standard? I am not quite sure what exactly is excluded from mandatory offshore fumigation from a S3 country.

Answer

Under Part 4 of the VMP standard and its relevant sections you will find exclusions, for example 4.3 has a guidance box that excludes certain vehicles stored in a specific manner. These are also summarised in a table at the end of the VMP standard page 21, or Specific exclusions for BMSB management requirements. See below for the declaration that must be provided to MPI with the lodgement.

In addition on page 18 Schedule 1 – Definitions and exclusions to the VMP standard, a list of items that excluded for example: electric bicycles, wheelbarrows, push lawn mowers, shopping trundles, wheelchairs etc.

A manufacture or distributor can sign declarations to this effect which can be found here, guidance forms

Find previous updates on our website.