Reminder: Import permits required prior to arrival of goods

With the commencement of the new Biosecurity Act 2015 on 16 June 2016, importers are reminded of the need to obtain any relevant import permits prior to the arrival of goods in Australia.

If you intend to import goods into Australia that require import permits eg fertilizer products, you must comply with the new legislation.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, the department cannot issue an import permit for goods that have already landed. In the past, the department has facilitated imports that have landed without a permit by allowing importers to apply for a permit. This will no longer be the case.

For more information, please visit the DAWR website.

AADA increases China-Australia rate US$300/TEU from July 1

Member lines of the Asia Australia Discussion Agreement (AADA) will levy a US$300 per TEU rate increase from July 1 on cargo from mainland China and Hong Kong to ports and points in Australia.

This increase will apply in full on top of existing ongoing market rates and will be subject to accessorial surcharges applicable at the time of shipment.

AADA is a voluntary discussion forum of 16 ocean carriers serving the trade from North and East Asia to destinations in Australia.

Members include ANL Singapore, APL, China Shipping Container Line (HK), Cosco, Evergreen Line, Hamburg Sud, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, "K" Line, Maersk Line, MSC, MOL, NYK, OOCL, PIL, Sinotrans Container Lines, TS Lines and Yang Ming.

For more information, please contact 20Cube.

AADA bunker surcharge rises to US$150/TEU, $300/FEU on June 18

Member lines of the Asia Australia Discussion Agreement (AADA) have increased the bunker surcharge US$150 per TEU and US$300 per FEU for dry and refrigerated containers from Japan, Korea, mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to ports in Australia from June 18.

This reflects recent increases in the price of oil at Hong Kong and South Korea, the AADA said. Customers requiring further information concerning the bunker surcharge are to contact the member lines.

"AADA members have adopted voluntary policy guidelines and have reached a non-binding consensus on the above arrangement," the AADA statement said.

Member AADA lines are ANL Singapore, APL, China Shipping Container Line (HK), Cosco, Evergreen Line, Hamburg Sud, Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, "K" Line, Maersk Line, MSC, MOL, NYK, OOCL, PIL, Sinotrans Container Lines, TS Lines and Yang Ming.