The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between Australia and India has now been in force for a year. Negotiations have resumed for the more ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which will build upon ECTA outcomes to capitalise on the potential for closer economic ties between Australia and India. From 01 January 2024, Australian […]
In November, the government released a very important document for Australia’s maritime security. The final report of the Strategic Fleet taskforce was handed to government in June, with a public version along with the government response now online. The taskforce was established as part of a Labor election commitment, with the mission of advising government […]
Following the final negotiating round for the year on 20 December 2023, at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Members of the ‘WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce’ (JSI) have reached substantial conclusions on a number of global digital trade rules. Digital trade is not just about buying and selling goods and services […]
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has issued Australian Customs Notice No. 2023/51 announcing that from 01 January 2024, disposable vapes will be prohibited imports. To read the notice (in PDF) click on this link: New Import Control on Vaping Goods. Using a phased approach, all vaping goods will be prohibited under new regulation 5A of […]
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has issued Australian Customs Notice No. 2023/50: ‘Customs Tariff Changes 1 January 2024.’ (in PDF format). The notice advises that from 01 January 2024, the preferential rates of customs duty for certain Indian, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and United Kingdom (UK) originating goods will be reduced. Australia-India Economic […]
As major containership operators pause shipping through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, Forbes Magazine has posed the possibility that “Attacks On Ships In Red Sea Could Be First Sign Of Next Supply Chain Crisis.” They speculate that “The recent attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea by Yemini rebels […] are early warning […]
The Australian Border Force has issued Customs Notice No. 2023/49: “Prohibited Exports and Imports Regulations amendments.” It advises that on 13 December 2023, the Customs Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Exports and Imports) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) come into effect. The Regulations amend the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 (the Prohibited Exports Regulations) and the Customs (Prohibited […]
Trade Minister Don Farrell issued a media release on 13 December announcing that Australia will start negotiating a trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next year, as it seeks to diversify its exports and move away from reliance on China. “The Government is committed to securing a trade agreement with the UAE to […]
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has issued their Christmas newsletter about Stink Bugs (BMSB). It contains information for Importers and Brokers on what goods are subject to the New, Unused and not Field Tested (NUFT) criteria and when a NUFT declaration can be utilised – as well as tips for imports during […]
As Tropical Cyclone Jasper moves in on the coast of Queensland today, gales with damaging winds of up to 120 km/h are expected to develop along the ranges between Cape Flattery and Townsville, including Cairns. Jasper is expected to cross the coast on Wednesday and Ports and Airports in the Far North are making contingency […]
