FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Biosecurity Protection Levy - focus on producers and SAC low value

Paul Zalai (FTA/ APSA) was privileged on 30 May 2024 to present at the 37th Plant Industry Forum hybrid meeting hosted by Plant Health Australia including interaction with The Hon. David Littleproud MP the Leader of the Federal National Party. Next steps with the Biosecurity Protection Levy will be fascinating in terms of contributions (or not) from producers. Also, serious concerns remain in terms of readiness to collect a new proposed fee on low value goods (Self Assessment Clearances) from 1 July 2024.

These concerns, along with  a direct approach by FTA to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on 22 May 2024, resulted in a special meeting of DAFF and industry representatives convened last Friday 31 May 2024. In summary, FTA re-stated concerns (as previously raised) and joined a broader industry consensus for a review of alternate models. READ MORE

FTA / APSA Submission to Senate Committee Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA), along with valued feedback from members, have prepared a formal submission to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee examining the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 READ MORE

The Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth (JSCTIG) is asking for submissions to the Inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits available to Australian industry and communities under Free Trade Agreements

Your participation is highly valued and will contribute significantly to the Committee's inquiry. We look forward to valuable input from members. To share your views, please contact Sal Milici by close of business Friday 14 June 2024 READ MORE

Review of the Customs (Australian Trusted Trader Programme) Rule 2015 

Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) program is currently seeking feedback on the next evolution of the program, informally referred to as ATT 2.0. This also includes a review of the Customs (Australian Trusted Trader Programme) Rule 2015 (the ATT Rule 2015). 

Accredited Trusted Traders are encouraged to provide feedback direct to the Australian Border Force (ABF) using a writable PDF and sending this to TrustedTrader@abf.gov.au by Friday 21 June 2024, or provide commentary to Sal Milici for inclusion in the FTA submission.

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

VICT has announced an increase to their infrastructure charge per full container, effective from 1 July onwards. VICT cited considerable increases in costs to their business as reason for the adjustment, adding that landside charges recover part of the costs related to maintenance and operation of terminal's landside, property costs, and capital investment to terminal infrastructure. 

Paul Zalai, director and co-founder of Freight & Trade Alliance remarked: "Rather than negotiating increased fees with their contracted client being foreign-owned shipping lines, it is a whole lot easier for VICT and other stevedores to hold road and rail transport operators to ransom and force them to pay increased fees for access to the terminals." READ MORE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Thank you James Macfarlane and the GEODIS team for inviting Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) to present on local regulatory and commercial matters at your Sydney and Melbourne 2024 "Thought Leadership" series. 

Our Victorian licensed customs broker members turned out in force for the CPD events last weekend at Hyatt Place in Melbourne for two days of intensive learning, engagement, and networking. Special thanks also to all our Speakers and Sponsors. Register for other state events HERE

FTA / APSA - TRAINING & EVENTS

As a part of direct engagement with the Australian Border Force (ABF) on Saturday 20 April 2024, advice has been received that due to a number of factors it is likely that customs brokers will NOT receive their 'Application for renewal of Customs Broker Licence' renewal packs until mid to late May. 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.

FTA will be transitioning to an upgraded training platform for the new customs broker licensing period. All completion history will be available on the new site. We look forward to launching MYFTACPD with new topics for completion prior to going live. Further details will follow soon.

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
 

11 JUNE 2024: FTA QLD Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 

2024 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

This years Care-Factor Christmas in July Ball has been set for Friday the 26th July 2024 at the iconic Fullerton Hotel in Sydney. It will be a fantastic night as we come together as one to raise funds for two special charities.

A huge thank you for our sponsors that have come onboard to support Care-Factor 2024.
Blueprint Global, Think Global Logistics Direct Couriers NSW Ports, Menzies Aviation, OneStop. TT Club, WiseTech Global, Bonds Transport Group Pty Ltd, Import Export TV DCN - Daily Cargo News,

LOGISTICS

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts will be hosting an industry webinar of Wednesday 5 June at 1100 AEST to  explain the ROVER portal rebuild and highlight some of the key changes. 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 

Notices:

SEAFREIGHT

In this May issue of Navigate, the Westport team look at the following issues;

• Expectations for the design and delivery stage 

• The proposed breakwater

• Concept of Operation
  READ MORE

Following on to the previous 60-day announcement on 2 April 2024, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) has received the following 30-day industry notice from VICT in relation to tariff adjustments that will come into effect on 1 July, 2024: READ MORE

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Qantas continues consolidation of International Ground Handling at Sydney Airport  into Terminal 1

The ongoing redevelopment of Sydney Airport has led to a review of overall ground operations on Link Road to ensure optimisation of investments in terminal infrastructure and continuing to deliver the best customer experience we can. The phased approach will see airlines currently being handled at Terminal 3 moving to Terminal 1, enabling us to combine our international ground handling operations into one terminal. READ MORE

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

QANTAS Freight Operations

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

Swissport have revised International Terminal Service Fess as of 1 July 2024

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) have received advice from Swissport regarding a revision to their International Terminal Service Fees, which will come into effect from 1 July 2024: READ MORE

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.

June 3 Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

Approved Arrangements Management Product (AAMP) is coming

Beginning in June 2024, the Approved Arrangements Management Product (AAMP) will be released in a staged rollout to Biosecurity Industry Participants (BIPs) over the coming few months. AAMP will enable BIPs who operate Approved Arrangements (AAs) to view and update their AA details via self-service without having to contact the department. READ MORE

Biosecurity Portal Home Page Updates

The login tiles have been updated on the Biosecurity Portal to support the addition of new services (Approved Arrangements Management Product).These changes provide more information on the services available. This will assist new users in selecting the correct login option. Access to the Biosecurity Portal for current users has not changed. Users will be able to access the portal with the same login details as before. 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 Updates Week Ending 3rd June 2024

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

Anti-Dumping Notices Update Week Ending 3rd June 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