Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have been informed by members that they are receiving notices advising of significant increases in the cost of using Digital Certificates - a mandatory security requirement to communicate cross-border transactions to the Integrated Cargo System (ICS).
| Certificate Type | Old Price | New Price |
| Gatekeeper Account Setup | $420.00 | $489.00 |
| Gatekeeper Manager Certificate – 2-year validity | $360.00 | $439.00 |
| Standard Gatekeeper Certificate – 2-year validity | $330.00 | $399.00 |
| Gatekeeper Device Certificate – 2-year validity | $960.00 | $1099.00 |
By way of example of the rapid increase in pricing, Gatekeeper Manager Certificates with a 2 year validity has seen the following increases:- 2015 $126
- 2017 $209
- 2019 $299
- 2022 $360
- 2024 $439
As members will recall, FTA / APSA provided a formal submission to the Simplified Trade System (STS) Taskforce in July 2023 with twenty-eight (28) recommendations including the following:
RECOMMENDATION 24 – the Australian Border Force to phase out and replace the use of Digital Certificates with a more contemporary, cost effective and a whole of government approach to data integrity.SUBMISSION AVAILABLE HERE (Refer Page 17)
FTA and APSA have again made a submission today to STS executive highlighting the latest increase and asking if realistically this will be addressed in the foreseeable future.
While hopeful of a positive outcome, it is advisable for members to factor in this increasing cost in the years ahead to an issuing institution benefiting from its monopolistic position.
FTA and APSA will keep members up to date on any government response.
Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF