FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

FTA / APSA advocate for DAFF document assessment relief & regulation of unfair commercial charging practices

There has been much controversy about the Federal Government's proposed introduction of a producer contribution to the Biosecurity Protection Levy (BPL). FTA Director Paul Zalai says  "it is a broken and hopelessly outdated system unable to keep pace with increases and changing patterns of international trade – DAFF are unable to recruit and train staff quick enough to keep up with demand - despite the best efforts of management and existing frontline officers, industry is paying a heavy price."FTA / APSA prepared a detailed "Position Paper" elaborating on our three-point plan referenced HERE.  

Sec 77G Depot suspension and Infringement Notices

As outlined in member notices, FTA is seeking further feedback from members on Infringement Notices, licensing and broader related matters to ascertain trends in the ABF focus and areas where concerted informed compliance attention is required.  READ MORE

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

A full list of our extensive ongoing media coverage is available HERE

2024 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, 8 March

FTA / APSA - TRAINING & EVENTS

FTA SECTION 77G DEPOT & APPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FORUMS

LIMITED CAPACITY - DELEGATES TO BE ALLOCATED ON A "FIRST IN" BASIS

FTA, APSA and CTAA are delighted to host a series of upcoming Depot Forums where the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) senior officers will deliver presentations on emerging reforms and current compliance activity to assist in managing your Section 77G Depot and Approved Arrangement facilities. READ MORE

1 MAY 2024 : FTA NSW Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
10 MAY 2024 : FTA WA Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
15 MAY 2024 : FTA VIC Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
11 JUNE 2024 : FTA QLD Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
 

AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE (ABF) MANDATORY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) MODULE

ABF advised under the Australian Customs Notice No. 2023/23 that 
ALL licensed customs brokers must complete this mandatory module by 31 March 2024

Please NOTE it is ONLY available via the ABF Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) training portal - read more.

REGISTER NOW

2024 CPD BORDER COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

3 MAY 2024 : NSW CPD Border Compliance Program 
4 MAY 2024 : NSW CPD Border Compliance Program
11 MAY 2024 : WA CPD Border Compliance Program 
31 MAY 2024 : VIC CPD Border Compliance Program
1 JUNE 2024 : VIC CPD Border Compliance Program
12 JUNE 2024 : QLD CPD Border Compliance Program

By registering for one of the above events you will receive a minimum of 21 customs broker Continuing Professional Developments (CPD) points issued on an attendance basis for the customs broker licensing period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 and complimentary online CPD and CBC access to meet your licensing and approved arrangement requirements for the period.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

LOGISTICS

FTA / APSA submission on Amending the Australian Postal Corporation (Performance Standards) Regulations 2019

FTA is of the view that modernising the postal service's offerings should specifically ensure that all products used in eCommerce can be tracked throughout the postal delivery chain. While FTA support the idea of relaxing letter delivery timeframes, it is also essential to introduce a basic tracking or delivery scanning option for these services. READ MORE

Warehouse and Depot Security Identification Card (WADSIC)

Inbound connects thousands of participants in licensed Sec 77G Depot and Sec 79 Warehouses around Australia through its technology platform - FTA has partnered with Inbound to provide industry with an easy way to procure compliant WADSICs. -  READ MORE 

The Port of Melbourne's Public Boat Tours are back on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March 2024, with all proceeds going to support the thousands of courageous and resilient seafarers who work tirelessly to make sure our goods are delivered - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. READ MORE

SEAFREIGHT

The OCEAN Alliance, comprising CMA CGM, Cosco, OOCL, and Evergreen, on 27 February officially extended its vessel-sharing agreement for a further 5 years until 31 March 2032. The extension is a strategic response to the evolving landscape of global shipping alliance.        READ MORE

The Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) is the designated peak shipper body granted status by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport under Part X of the Consumer & Competition Act to represent the interests of Australian shippers generally in relation to liner cargo shipping services. The following notice has been received and is available to members' reference.

• 28 FEBRUARY 2024 : Part X: Notice of the Happening of an Affecting Event - for Capricorn Service inwards and outwards service
• 28 FEBRUARY 2024 : Part X: Notice of the Happening of an Affecting Event - NEAX/A1X/AUE/NAX inwards and outwards service 
• 28 FEBRUARY 2024 : Part X: Notice of the Happening of an Affecting Event - Singapore/Malaysia Service to/from Australia Inwards and Outwards service 

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Published 4 March 2024

International Terminal Service Fee invoices covering the period from 24 Sep 2023 commenced distribution in early Jan 2024.  The latest invoice covering the week of 24 Dec to 30 Dec 2023 is being distributed to the normal recipients for invoices via email from 4 Mar 2024. All remaining outstanding invoices will be distributed in the coming weeks and we'll keep you updated on when they're available.

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Cargo Operations Snapshot 

The Department has advised the return of the Cargo Operations Snapshot. Members will see a few changes one of which is the addition of a section on Cargo Compliance. When viewing the report we suggest members note the Data Definitions on page 3.

March 4 Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued two important updates on plant exports, IAN 2024-08  deals with Instructional material relation to plant exports and IAN 2024-09 addresses instructional material for inspecting forest products.

The March 2024 update address

• Trialling timber identification technologies

• illegal logging law reforms

• new guidance for tropical timber transactions

• Registration for FSC's upcoming webinar 
  READ MORE

Notices:

BORDER

Depot penalties  - FTA seeking member feedback for informed compliance program

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) is receiving advice from members indicating an alarming increase in the number of Australian Border Force (ABF) Infringement Notices being issued against Depot facilities licensed in accordance with Sec 77G of the Customs Act. FTA is seeking further feedback from members with details of the Infringement Notices to ascertain trends in the ABF focus and areas where concerted informed compliance attention is required.

Please send details of the Infringement Notice and associated circumstances to Tom Jensen (Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA / APSA). All material will be treated on a confidential basis. READ MORE

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Update Week Ending 4th March 2024

National ports, the Australian Bureau of statistics and data from other sources  
 LOGIN REQUIRED 

Anti-Dumping Notices Week Ending 4th March 2024

FTA has compiled a list of Anti-Dumping Notices from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources 
 LOGIN REQUIRED 

Notices:

WEBINARS & RECORDINGS

Stay at the cutting edge through participation in live webinars and access to recordings – all are FREE & EXCLUSIVE to Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) members.     LOGIN REQUIRED 

13.9.2023 : Webinars & Recordings ... login required

Operational Support
For the timeliest response from our team, FTA / APSA members are reminded to send requests for operational support to support@FTAlliance.com.au

To select your communication preferences please click on "Update Subscription Preferences" at the bottom of any FTA notice -  READ MORE

SPONSORS

FTA and APSA are proud to connect members with the following sponsors as leading suppliers of services to the freight and trade sectors.

2023 sponsorship prospectus is available HERE