DCN - Container shortage fears with shipping lines predicted to cut services

Freight and Trade Alliance director and Australian Peak Shippers Association secretariat Paul Zalai backed the call for the timely return of empty containers but also said the lines had to come to the party.

"We trust that shipping lines will give appropriate leniency to importers, on a case by case basis, as we are facing unique operational conditions and face the high risk of disruption to an already fragile international trade supply chain," Mr Zalai said.

"While state government and port corporations are currently contingency planning and examining staging sites as required to store containers in the event of operational failures, this will be a futile exercise if goods cannot be cleared from customs control areas."

Mr Zalai said there was a serious risk with customs brokers no longer accepting the cash-flow imposition of making up-front import statutory charge payments and recouping costs from importers on a disbursement basis.

"We are working with Treasury, the Australian Border Force and the Australian Taxation Office to develop appropriate COVID-19 measures to allow for the deferral of duty, GST and Import Processing Charges," he said.