Australia and New Zealand have always had a remarkably close trading relationship. The Tasman may separate the two countries, but for businesses, manufacturers, farmers and consumers, the economic connection is much closer than the map suggests. That relationship is now being given another push. Following a meeting in Auckland on 4 September 2026, Australian Trade […]
Australian importers moving containers from China should be prepared for some disruption over the coming weeks, particularly on services from Shanghai and Ningbo. The good news is that the ports are reopening after Typhoon Saudel, but the challenge now is working through the backlog created by the storm—and the congestion that was already affecting these […]
If you import goods into Australia by sea, there are two small passengers you definitely do not want arriving with your cargo: the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) and the Khapra beetle. Both are regarded as serious biosecurity threats, and both have a habit of exploiting one of the most convenient modes of international transport […]
If you import goods from Shenzhen, Hong Kong or elsewhere in southern China, the next few weeks are an important time to review your shipping plans. In 2026, the timing of two major Chinese holidays creates an unusually tight shipping window. The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 25 September, followed almost immediately by China’s National Day […]
For an Australian importer, receiving a full container load (FCL) should be straightforward: you order the goods, your supplier packs the container, the shipping line transports it, and your freight forwarder arranges its arrival and clearance. But what happens when you open the container and discover goods that you didn’t order — or, worse, goods […]
If your business relies on air freight, now is the time to prepare for higher costs. Industry analysts are warning that global air cargo rates could rise by as much as 15% as the conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt international aviation, placing fresh pressure on supply chains and shipping budgets. The situation has changed […]
When fuel prices rise, the effects are felt far beyond the petrol pump. For importers and exporters, higher fuel costs flow through almost every stage of the supply chain—from manufacturing and transport through to freight rates and the final landed cost of goods. Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have demonstrated just how quickly […]
Not every export shipment belongs in a carton, crate or wooden case. Some of the world’s most important commodities—from coffee beans and grain to chemicals, oils and food ingredients—travel internationally in bags and drums. Choosing the correct packaging for these products is just as important as selecting the right shipping route, because the wrong packaging […]
If Christmas seems a long way off, now is the time to start thinking about it. That may sound surprising in July, but experienced importers and exporters know that the second half of the year is when global supply chains face their greatest test. Businesses that plan ahead generally secure freight space, control costs, and […]
The recent conflict involving Iran may have moved off the front pages, but for international shippers the effects are far from over. While the ceasefire has reduced immediate concerns about vessel safety in the Strait of Hormuz, global supply chains are still adjusting to the disruption. Importers and exporters should not assume that freight markets […]
