With a population of around 123 million, Japan is a dynamic source of technology, automotive, and consumer goods. It is Australia’s second-largest trading partner after China, and also our second-largest export market. Our outbound freight to Japan consists mainly of primary products. On the other side of the trade ledger, Japan is Australia’s third-largest supplier […]
When China is mentioned as a trading partner, we tend to think first of the major cities and provinces on its east coast. Yet a large percentage of Australia’s trade is conducted in central and western China and, as highlighted by the delegation that was just led by the Prime Minister, one city that is […]
Occasionally importers are contacted by their suppliers asking approval to use an “NOR” container for their shipment, or an exporter will be offered one by a shipping line. We frequently get asked what is meant by this term. A Non-Operating Reefer (NOR) container is a refrigerated shipping container (reefer) where the refrigeration unit is switched […]
Shipping schedules are critically important to the time management of your import and export consignments, and unsurprisingly, some shippers like to consult the container lines’ timetables themselves. Knowing when your cargo will arrive is essential for planning, customer satisfaction, and overall supply chain efficiency, so we understand why our clients are sometimes keen to arm […]
There is sometimes uncertainty from exporters about Australia’s mandatory screening of outbound airfreight. We understand that when you’ve opted for airfreight as the best mode of transport for your goods, you want to keep the speed up and the costs down. When you ask for express, you don’t want delays. Be assured that you are […]
One area where Australian importers are most likely to encounter challenges is with timber. It is not only importers of bulk timber who need to be aware of the rules, but also those who bring in wooden products (such as furniture) – make sure you know if your goods contain even small amounts of wood […]
If you have LCL cargo to be shipped from Hong Kong to east coast Australia, we operate regular FAK consolidation services and welcome co-load consignments. We understand that importers’ main concerns on this route are freight rates, frequency of schedules and punctuality, and you can be assured of our expert attention to these issues, and […]
During a tariff war, customs brokers become even more crucial for businesses engaged in international trade. Their expertise in navigating complex customs regulations, understanding tariff changes, and ensuring compliance is essential to avoid costly delays, penalties, and legal issues. Whenever there is complexity in the trade, the decision on how you import a product becomes […]
From time to time, importers will be faced with the decision of whether to switch from sea freight to air freight – often when they have high-value consignments and/or need to meet tight deadlines. Sometimes there is the need to weigh up not just short-term contractual obligations for this particular order, but also the risk […]
Break bulk cargo – also known as general cargo – means non-containerised goods stowed on a general cargo ship. The term comes from the phrase ‘breaking bulk,’ which means to extract part of a ship’s cargo in individual units. The term should not be confused with ‘bulk cargo’ which applies to freight shipped in loose […]
