News

ENSURING YOUR IMPORTS DO NOT CONTAIN ASBESTOS

ENSURING YOUR IMPORTS DO NOT CONTAIN ASBESTOS The hazards of asbestos are now well documented, as it has been banned for over two decades. Asbestos is dangerous when it is disturbed, becomes airborne, and its fibres are inhaled. It can be life-threatening Due to ongoing threats of this insidious material, the ABF has found it […]

NAVIGATING PEAK SEASON SHIPPING CHALLENGES

Increased freight costs, late deliveries and cancelled orders. These are issues an importer does not want to have to deal with at any time of year. Now we are into Peak Season Shipping – the most difficult period to navigate these challenges. Traditionally, the peak season spans from August to October, however challenging situations brought […]

TOP TIPS FOR DEALING WITH STINK BUGS

As an importer, the last thing you want is a case of the creepy-crawlies. If you bring in goods by sea freight, you will be aware that there is an annual seasonal alert for Stink Bugs that hide inside shipping containers and cargo. The bug, known officially as Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is one […]

Exporters: Are You Missing Out on Government Grants?

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) are available from the government to help Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with a turnover of less than $20 million to grow their exports in international markets. This year grant sizes are being increased significantly so that eligible Australian businesses will now be able to receive allocations ranging from $20,000 […]

Ports Australia Inaugural Report

Ports Australia has released its inaugural State of Trade Report this week, which provides an unprecedented look at the critical role that Australian ports play in supporting our nation’s economy, workforce, and global trade. Ports Australia is the peak body representing the interests of the Australian port industry. It serves as a national voice and […]

Prepare for Fumigation Changes in 2025

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued Advice Notice 174-2024: “Methyl bromide fumigation methodology – Prepare now for 2025 update.” On 05 August 2024 DAFF published the updated Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology (version 3.0). The changes come after a comprehensive review period with a significant amount of feedback from stakeholders. The current […]

Australia’s High Reputation in Global Trade

Australia’s reputation as an ideal destination for trade and investment was further strengthened this week with the release of a new report by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). The 2024 Why Australia Benchmark Report outlines Australia’s competitive advantages, drawing on key economic, financial, social and demographic data from respected sources. Follow this link […]

Our Trade and Shipping with Singapore

Australia’s leading institutional investors and fund managers gained a deeper understanding of investment opportunities on the Australian Government’s first outbound investment mission to Singapore, as part of the Southeast Asia Investment Deal Teams initiative. The delegation was led by Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell, and representatives from Austrade, the Department of Foreign […]

DAFF Introduces the AusTreat Scheme

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced an upcoming policy change. They are introducing a new pre-border treatment provider assurance scheme called AusTreat. AusTreat is a government-to-industry scheme that will replace the existing Offshore brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Treatment Provider scheme and set the conditions for the regulation of pre-border biosecurity […]

Demand for Pallets Falls

When it comes to both cargo pallets and empty shipping containers, ever since the start of the Covid pandemic four years ago we have found ourselves reporting variously on their shortage, oversupply or – more commonly – being situated in the wrong location to where they are needed. The latter case became most apparent as […]