Author: GPSM

Misdeclaration of Cargo

We attach a newsletter from one of the shipping lines servicing Asia-Australia trade, this is a general warning on the fines involved when cargo is mis-declared, by accident or intentionally.

The current level of fine from most shipping lines is around USD 30,000 per occurrence, however that is set to increase to USD 50,000.

These fines are particularly relevant to chemical consignments and shipments where batteries have been included, there have been several incidents over the last few years where severe damage or death has been caused by these misdeclarations.

It should also be noted that under the terms of Chain of Responsibility, anyone or everyone in the supply chain can be found liable, including overseas suppliers, origin forwarders, Australian forwarders, customs brokers truckers and importers. A conviction could lead to extremely substantial fines and even jail in Australia where any parties have been found to be negligent.

In a recent case we noted that a China forwarder was subject to China Customs investigation with loss of operating licence combined with substantial fines from China Customs.

Attachment: Notice to Customer (Misdeclaration Charges)_REV.pdf

Australian Port Updates

Patrick Terminals Seals Enterprise Agreement Deal with Maritime Union

Patrick Terminals have advised that it has achieved an historic roll-over agreement with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and their employees to extend Patrick’s Enterprise Agreement to 31 December 2028.

Patrick Terminals CEO, Michael Jovicic, has welcomed the agreement stating: “This historic agreement roll-over provides a strong foundation for the future, ensuring stability for our employees and certainty for our customers in an increasingly dynamic global environment.”

“As a trusted Australian container terminal operator, we remain committed to delivering resilient and reliable services to our quayside and landside customers.” The statement says “that the agreement underscores Patrick Terminals’ ongoing commitment to productive workplace relations, supporting long-term value creation for all stakeholders. Patrick Terminals will continue to deliver world-class terminal operations that deliver superior supply chain efficiencies and unlock economic benefit for Australia.”

 

The Enterprise Agreement will now be submitted to the Fair Work Commission for approval.

DP World Sydney Terminal Stop Work Meeting:

We have received advice that an authorised Maritime Union Australia stop work meeting will be held in DP World Port Botany Terminal from 10:00am – 2:00pm on Thursday, 1st May 2025.

All terminal operations will cease during this period, GPSM Transport Team will liaise directly with clients where their deliveries may be impacted by this industrial meeting.

NNF 2025/202- Khapra beetle measures: Upcoming changes to conditions for offshore treatments and certification

Khapra beetle measures: Upcoming changes to conditions for offshore treatments and certification

Australia currently has emergency measures in place to manage the risk of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) entering the country. This includes mandatory pre-border treatment of:

From 28 May 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) will implement changes to our requirements for pre-border khapra beetle treatments and phytosanitary certification.

There will be three key changes:
1. Revised wording for gas permeable packaging additional declarations:
The wording of the existing additional declarations on the phytosanitary certificate to certify compliance with gas-permeability requirements will be changed to:

“The goods were fumigated in gas permeable packaging.” OR “The goods were fumigated prior to being sealed in gas impermeable packaging.”

This requirement will apply to high-risk plant products exported from khapra beetle target-risk countries that are treated offshore with methyl bromide fumigation or controlled atmosphere treatment to manage the risk of khapra beetle.

2. New NPPO supervision requirement and additional declaration for certain providers:
Introduction of mandatory supervision by the relevant exporting National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) for pre-border khapra beetle methyl bromide or heat treatments undertaken by providers that are listed as:

The phytosanitary certificate accompanying these consignments must contain the following new additional declaration to certify compliance with the requirement:

  • For methyl bromide fumigations: “The monitoring of start and end point concentration readings were conducted under direct NPPO supervision, and the treatment was performed in accordance with Australia’s methyl bromide fumigation methodology as per the attached methyl bromide fumigation certificate [insert certificate number].”
  • For heat treatments: “The temperature sensors were placed under direct NPPO supervision, and the treatment was performed in accordance with Australia’s heat treatment methodology as per the attached heat treatment certificate [insert certificate number].”

3.Removal of fourth concentration sampling tube for container fumigation treatments:
Methyl bromide fumigation treatments of sea containers to manage the risk of khapra beetle currently require a fourth concentration sampling tube positioned underneath the container.

Following a review of the effectiveness of the fourth sampling tube, this requirement is being removed. This change will align khapra beetle fumigations with standard fumigation practices where a minimum of three concentration sampling tubes will be required in accordance with the Methyl bromide fumigation methodology.

Further details on these changes are provided in the Factsheet: Khapra beetle treatment for Australian imports – upcoming changes to requirements.

These revised requirements will apply to consignments that are accompanied by phytosanitary certificates issued on or after 28 May 2025.

Import permits will be varied on 28 May 2025 to reflect the updated conditions. We will contact affected import permit holders to vary existing permits and provide further details. Permit holders will not be charged a fee for these changes to import permits.

A transitional period will be provided for a minimum of 10 weeks. During this time, the department will identify consignments not meeting new requirements and work with the affected importer to ensure compliance for future consignments.

The transitional period completion date will be shared in a future notification and published in BICON.

Please click on Read More to view IIAN 111-2025 in its entirety.

Brisbane Port Disruptions-USA New Tariffs

Patricks Brisbane Terminal Stop Work Meeting:

Patricks Brisbane Container Terminal have advised that Please be advised that all operations, both Ship and Yard operations will cease between 7.00am – 11.00am on Tuesday 8th April 2025, for a Maritime Union Australia (MUA), stop work meeting. GPSM Transport Team will keep any affected clients updated on alternative arrangements as required.

DP World Brisbane Terminal Closure:

DP World Brisbane Terminal will be closed Tuesday 8 April 2025 between 5:00am-4.00pm for a planned IT outage.

GPSM Transport Team will keep any affected clients updated on alternative arrangements as required.

U.S. Tariff Increases and Potential Trade Impacts:

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced today a sweeping set of tariff increases, introducing a 10% baseline tariff on all imported goods into the United States. Additional higher duties have been imposed on a range of countries, including key U.S. trading partners. These measures mark a departure from long-standing trade liberalisation policies and are expected to provoke retaliatory actions, leading to potential cost increases for various goods.

Australia’s Inclusion in U.S. Trade Reports:

Australia has been identified in the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report for its stringent biosecurity measures on commodities such as beef, pork, poultry, and horticulture products. The U.S. considers these protections as non-tariff barriers and has referenced them as part of its justification for reciprocal tariffs on Australian exports.

Key Announcements:

Tariffs ranging from 10% to 49% have been introduced on all imported goods.

Specific tariff rates include:

  • 34% on goods from China
  • 20% on goods from the European Union
  • 10% on goods from the United Kingdom
  • No tariffs have been imposed on imports from Canada or Mexico.
  • A 25% tariff has been introduced on all foreign-manufactured automobiles.

Australian Government Response:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has acknowledged the challenges posed by these new tariffs, reaffirming that Australia will maintain its existing biosecurity protections. While ruling out retaliatory tariffs, the government has committed to supporting affected industries through:

  • $50 million in emergency assistance for impacted sectors.
  • Strengthened anti-dumping measures to protect Australian steel and other products.
  • A $1 billion economic resilience program, offering zero-interest loans to support the development of new export markets.
  • A renewed focus on Australian-made products, with government procurement policies prioritising local businesses.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Australia has secured relatively favourable treatment compared to other nations in the new tariff regime. Ongoing diplomatic engagement continues at multiple levels to advocate for Australian trade interests.

Costs Update

Adelaide Terminal Charges

Effective from 1st April, 2025, Adelaide Terminal Charges will increase to below levels for import/export containers:

Infrastructure Levy $265.00 per container
Weighing Charge $38.00 per container
Empty Booking Fee $210.00 per container

The GPSM rates module has been updated with these new applicable costs.

NZ Customs charges increase effective from 1st July, 2025

On 10 March 2025, NZ Cabinet approved changes to the fees and levies that NZ Customs and MPI (AQIS) charge to recover the costs of managing goods crossing our border. Customs goods fees will change from 1st of July 2025 until 31st March 2026.

Updated rates has been published as per below from NZ Customs. MPI Biosecurity System Entry Levy portion remains unchanged at $46.40 excl GST, but Customs fee will change.

Imports: 1 July 2025 $53.44 incl GST

Exports: 1 July 2025 $6.26 incl GST

Rates and Charges

Import FCL rates from China/Taiwan/Korea to Australia:

Rate volatility on this trade lane is continuing at present, we have seen decreases since mid-February and again in early March but now lines are implementing increased rates from 15th March 2025 as they also bring in vessel cancellations or deferrals to create a false market demand for space.

Most lines to Aust East Coast have increased their rates by between USD 100.00/20ft and USD 250.00/20ft (double for 40ft containers) with the exception of PIL who have added much larger increases. Their situation is different at present as they have been experiencing space shortage and vessel booking “rollovers” following their cheap rate offer in mid/late February. We are avoiding booking with PIL due to their recent issues.

Rates to Adelaide and Fremantle have eased slightly, a rate reduction of generally around USD 100.00/20ft and USD 200.00/40ft FCL will be applicable from 15th March 2025.

 

Airline Handing Charges, Imports and Exports:

Airline CTO’s (Cargo Terminal Operators) have announced their annual charges increase to be effective from 1st April, 2025.

The increases are quite minimal for Airway Bill/Documentation Fee (up by $ 2.00), Airline Terminal Fees (up by $ 0.02/kg) on Import shipments.

For export shipments, RACA X-Ray Screening fees will increase by $ 0.04/kg and Airline Terminal/Handling fees will each rise by $ 0.02/kg, with Airline Airway Bill fee will increase by $ 2.00/shipment.

Seafreight LCL Infrastructure Levy:

LCL Consolidators have announced an increase in their Facility Infrastructure Levy from 17th March 2025.

The rate will increase by $ 2.00 per cbm/1000kgs, GPSM rate portal will be updated according.

FMD Outbreak in Hungary affecting Hungary and Slovakia

Notification was received from Hungary on 7 March 2025 of an FMD outbreak in Hungary affecting Hungary and Slovakia.

IFCBAA has been in communication with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to determine what this means for impacted commodities arriving into Australia. This concerning development comes on the heels of January’s announcement of an FMD outbreak in Germany.

DAFF is working to assess the biosecurity risk to Australia and what this might mean for import conditions for the following impacted commodities:

  • Dairy that is sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Personal dairy and beef food items imported as passenger personal effects or through the mail into Australia from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Reproductive material derived from cattle, sheep, goats, zoo bovids, giraffe or elephants sourced or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Veterinary therapeutics containing or derived from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine or camelid materials sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Pet food and stock feed containing or derived from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine or camelid materials sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Laboratory goods containing bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine and camelid fluids and tissues (including but not limited to test kits, animal fluids and tissues, culture media, foetal bovine serum, environmental samples and other laboratory materials) sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.

To help mitigate the risk to Australia, Hungary and Slovakia have been removed from the list of FMD-free countries.

The department has amended its FMD free list to reflect Hungary’s new FMD status and that the Department considers that Hungary’s status is currently affecting Slovakia. Any commercial dairy consignment or personal quantities of dairy and beef food items from Hungary or Slovakia will be held under biosecurity control, effective immediately.

Over the coming days the department will undertake a detailed assessment of all traded goods from Hungary or Slovakia and may introduce additional import restrictions for commodities, including pet food, stock feed, laboratory reagents and reproductive material.

More information will be made available via BICON alerts, industry advice notices and other official communication channels as this risk assessment progresses.

The department will also directly contact with any permit holders or permit applicants impacted by this outbreak to advise of any potential changes to import conditions that may be required to protect Australia’s livestock production industries.

Goods in transit – any goods in transit will be held and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, product manufactured prior to the 3 February 2025 may be released from biosecurity control if suitable evidence can be supplied to biosecurity officers.

Product manufactured after 3 February 2025 may not be permitted entry into Australia and may be directed for re-export or destruction. Importers and brokers that are unsure of the status of their goods should contact [email protected] for advice before arranging for the export of any product to Australia.

Please click Read More to view IIAN 67-2025 in its entirety.

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Empty Container Park Fees

Operators of empty container parks in Sydney and Melbourne have announced they are (again) increasing their charges for receiving and dispatching empty containers to and from their facilities.

The new rate will be $ 235.00 per container effective from 17th March, 2025, at this time there has been no announcements from empty parks in other states, we will monitor and keep you advised of any further updates.