Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting gas and a controlled substance. In Australia, it can only be used as a fumigant for quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) purposes to treat imported and exported goods. It ensures products and goods are pest free. Heavy penalties apply for unauthorised use.
You can only use methyl bromide as a fumigant if it is:
- authorised by the Commonwealth, or a state or territory government
- required by another country’s government prior to export from Australia.
Authorised use
Australian Government authorities that can approve its use include:
- Australian Border Force
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- state and territory authorities (for goods shipped between states, territories or regions)
- shipments where the receiving state or territory government has mandated methyl bromide to control or eradicate pests (branched broomrape, nematodes).
Pre-shipment use
Fumigation before export may be required by the government of the receiving country. For example Australian exports of:
- wheat
- cottonseed
- wood.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has also prepared guidance on fumigations using methyl bromide to assist fumigators to understand the minimum requirements, methods and techniques for use.
Illegal use of methyl bromide
You cannot use methyl bromide:
- without direction from a quarantine authority or foreign government
- for a soil or structural fumigation without approval the Australian Government
- only to meet contractual or commercial requirements.
Supplier checklist
When selling methyl bromide:
- check the buyer will only be using methyl bromide for:
- quarantine use on imports
- pre-shipment use on exports
- your buyer must sign a declaration confirming authorised use
- you must keep sales records for at least 5 years.
Buyer checklist
If you buy methyl bromide:
- it must only be used for quarantine and pre-shipment use
- you must declare your purchase and confirm its use for authorised purposes only
- you need to keep a fumigation record, including reference numbers, for at least 5 years.
Record keeping requirements
If you use methyl bromide for quarantine and pre-shipment uses, you must keep records of these uses. Keep these records for 5 years from the date of use. Records should include:
- date of use
- amount used (kg)
- quarantine or pre-shipment use
- goods/pest treated
- authorising government fumigation reference number
- details of fumigator.
Authorised regulators may request copies. Penalties may apply if you are unable to supply records.
Methyl bromide regulation 221 - QPS record keeping form (PDF - 104.26 KB)
Methyl bromide regulation 221 - QPS record keeping form (DOCX - 56.02 KB)