FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Sal Milici (General Manager Trade Policy & Operations - FTA/APSA) had the privilege of engaging in bilateral discussions with key sectors of commerce and regulators including executives from the Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

FTA / APSA - TRAINING & EVENTS

The Australian Border Force (ABF) have issued ACN 2024/10 to advise industry of the process for updating their Customs Broker Licenses for the period 1 July 2024 thru 30 June 2027. Please ensure your details are up to date and when received you action the renewal paperwork promptly by the deadline. READ MORE.

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. gst) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. gst) per customs broker licensing period.

For further information, please contact Caroline on czalai@FTAlliance.com.au.

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
 

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 

EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE - REGISTER NOW TO SECURE THE BEST PRICE!

SYDNEY EARLY BIRD RATE CLOSES THIS FRIDAY 5 APRIL, 2024

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

Come along on Thursday 18 April to a free CTAA container logistics issues update in Melbourne, combined with an insightful briefing on Matchbox Exchange's innovative digital platform on empty container reuse and exchange. The briefing will be followed by drinks & finger food - a great opportunity to network with your peers and colleagues in the container transport & freight logistics sector. REGISTER HERE

Contact John Park to feature your organisation or service in an upcoming edition - prospectus HERE

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 

SEAFREIGHT

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.

• 2 APRIL 2024: Part X: Notice of the Happening of an Affecting Event - for Capricorn service Inwards and Outwards service

The past month has been underscored by positive outcomes, particularly thanks to the successful ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. The ASEAN region is our most important export trade region, comprising 28% of container exports. READ MORE

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

QANTAS Freight Operation - Update 24 - Terminal Service Fee Invoices

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received feedback from members on the significant administration burden as a result of reconciling Terminal Service Fee invoices received extremely late due to the system cutover issues experienced by Qantas Freight in September/October 2023. READ MORE

BIOSECURITY

From 8 April 2024, DAFF will implement a new process for Biosecurity Industry Participants to request document assessment outside business hours. The new process will further enhance DAFF's ability to efficiently receipt, collate, and respond to requests for document assessment outside business hours. READ MORE

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.

April 1 Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

New Biosecurity Cost Recovery Charge on Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) Declarations

A new biosecurity cost recovery charge will commence from 1 July 2024 – referred to as the Biosecurity Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) Charge. This was announced by the Australian Government as a key element of its 2023-24 Budget Biosecurity Sustainable Funding measures. READ MORE

Following the release of IAN 56-2024, the demand for participation exceeded the available places. In response, the Department has added an extra Industry Focus Group Session.       READ MORE

Notices:

BORDER

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) members have been raising concerns re the slower than usual turnaround of Tariff Advice requests, some members are experiencing delays of 30 - 45 days. FTA have reached out to the Australian Border Force (ABF) and they have acknowledged the slower response time and advise that the auto reply advice on the Tariff mailbox states;

"Due to a higher than normal level of demand the current turnaround time for Tariff Advices is over 30 days. Thank you for your patience in the matter and we will endeavour to have your Tariff Advice completed as soon as possible."'
 

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

The Defence Trade Controls (DTC) Amendment Bill 2024 has passed on 24 March 2024. This amends Australia's Defence export control framework by providing a national exemption to the UK and the US. The DTC introduces 3 new criminal offences to the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012.
 
Further information can be found at DTC Amendment Bill Defence Page.
 

In this Issue

• Changes to categorisation, reporting & record keeping requirements

• New Assessment Statements

• Additions to Chemicals Inventory
  READ MORE

The ROVER Portal Rebuild is currently scheduled to go live in June 2024. While the focus will be on rebuilding both the RAV public search site and ROVER portal, we are also incorporating some enhancements based on users' feedback. The newly built ROVER system will make it easier (less clicks) for users to add, edit and update information in their draft applications. 

Visit the ROVER Portal Rebuild webpage to stay informed on what's changing. We will continue to update the page with more details and new resources. 

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 2nd April 2024

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

Southeast Asia is at the centre of global growth. The region is expected to be the world's fourth largest economy by 2040. Population growth, rising incomes and escalating food security requirements will continue driving Southeast Asian needs for agricultural products, including meat, seafood, eggs, dairy products and manufactured foods.READ MORE

Anti-Dumping Notices Update Week Ending 2nd April 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