FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Paul Zalai, Director and Co founder - Freight & Trade Alliance spent two days in Canberra last week meeting departmental representatives including representation of FTA / APSA at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Peak Bodies Consultative Forum hosted at the National Press Club of Australia. Discussions centred on trade policy; Free Trade Agreement update and regional markets / diversification.

This insightful session featured Monica Kennedy, Head of Austrade for South Asia (3rd from left) and Bryony Hilless (EMPA. GDip. BA.), Austrade's Consul-General and General Manager for the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan (5th from right). Both Monica & Bryony play a critical role in guiding Australia's trade and investment strategy across these rapidly growing regions — helping Australian businesses navigate complex markets and seize new opportunities.

A special thank you to Myles L. and Rachel Colaso for the kind invitation and the Business Chamber Queensland team for the warm hospitality.

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Customs broker rules need reform

Sal Milici, General Manager Trade Policy & Operations  FTA | APSA says Australis's licensed customs brokers are the critical frontline of our border clearance process, facilitating compliant trade while managing increasingly complex supply chain demands. However, while the nature of global trade and workforce expectations continues to evolve, the regulatory settings governing these professionals remain stuck in a pre-pandemic era.  FTA has formally written to the Australian Border Force (ABF) requesting a review of the relevant licensing condition, seeking to establish a framework for overseas lodgement under strictly defined circumstances.
READ MORE (credit DCN)

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

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. New content is now ready for your completion.

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.

Employees of members who do not require CPD points or a formal certificate/attainment statement can access webinar/seminar recordings on our main website HERE (corporate member password protected).

Please email Caroline at czalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

DCN - Reporting of import e-commerce in the future regulatory ENVIRONMENT

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

Only 3 weeks to go....

Act now so you don't miss out on this great evening.

Time to organise your frock, dancing shoes and book a table.
 

Join us for the 2025 Care-Factor Industry Charity Trade Ball on Friday 25 July 2025 at the Fullerton Hotel, Martin Place, Sydney.

LOGISTICS

Austrade's Go Global Toolkit has been expanded to now include the Go Global Export Academy. 

With free export webinars available live and on demand, this new initiative provides even more support to Australian businesses looking to accelerate their export journey.

Brett Charlton, Principal, The Ship - Consulting | Regional Representative FTA | APSA - Tasmania says "Austrade webinars are essential viewing for anyone involved in international trade"
READ MORE.  

FTA and APSA launch Certificate of Origin Service

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

DP World - Optibook Slot Functionality update and Stack Run Guidelines update

The Load Restraint Guide has recently gone through a re-brand where images have been refreshed, including reformatting the guide to make it more user-friendly.

The guide provides best practice load restraint systems to meet loading requirements and loading performance standards. It includes technical information, detailed diagrams and worked examples to help determine the restraint required for heavy vehicle loads.

To help ensure the guide remains current and continues to reflect safe load restraint practices, the NHVR is also seeking feedback from industry. A discussion paper has been released on our website to gather feedback on the scope and direction of potential updates.

Learn more about the Load Restraint Guide HERE (credit NHVR newsletter)

Warehouse and Depot Security Identification Card (WADSIC)

Veritas offers a comprehensive solution for customs depots and warehouse license holders to meet their WADSIC compliance obligations. By using a dedicated WADSIC portal, authorised representatives can effectively manage their personnel as prescribed in both ACN 2022/46 and ACN 2024/21.READ MORE

Notices:

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.

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Severe weather conditions across NSW - on 2 July 2025

Qantas Freight have advised that due to the severe weather conditions continuing across NSW on 2 July 2025, flight delays and cancellations are expected into and out of Sydney and other impacted airports over the next 24 hours. They recommend delaying any non-urgent cargo as they prioritise uplift of urgent medical and other critical shipments. The status of freight already in transit can be checked online and bookings can be amended via Manage Booking.

Swissport - 2025 Australian Terminal Service Fee Amendments – effective Monday 14th July 2025

Please refer the Qantas Freight site for updates on operational matters. 

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report

BORDER

Change to the definition of fuel-efficient vehicle
and no changes to LCT thresholds for FY 2025-26

•  A change to the definition of fuel-efficient vehicle under amendments to A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999.

• The luxury car tax threshold for both fuel-efficient vehicles and other vehicles will not increase for the 2025-26 financial year

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 1st July 2025

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

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 1st July 2025

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

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 

1.1.2025:  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.

Sponsorship prospectus is available HERE