Heterobostrychus aequalis is intercepted each year in imported timber (e.g. furniture, dunnage). Heterobostrychus aequalis appears to have failed to establish elsewhere in Australia despite a high border interception rate. While its distribution is limited, the National Biosecurity Management Group has determined that it is not technically feasible to eradicate Heterobostrychus aequalis from the Cairns district because detections have been reported on three sites in two geographically distinct suburbs. The source population has not been identified and the pest is likely to have been introduced into Cairns on multiple occasions over several years.