‘Customs’ focus of ABF reinforced
TRADE facilitation remains “a key priority” for the Australian Border Force, regional commander for Victoria and Tasmania Craig Palmer says. Speaking at the Border and Biosecurity...
FTA utilisation increasing
AUSTRALIAN businesses are increasing their utilisation of free trade agreements, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade assistant secretary Lachlan Crews says. Mr Crews noted...
X-ray unit to help protect key export sectors
A 3D x-ray unit has been installed at Melbourne Airport to protect the horticultural and agriculture sectors from those inadvertently bringing in pests and diseases. Agriculture...
New name for ag department
IMPORTERS and customs brokers be warned – the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is no more. Henceforth, the Department is to be called simply the Department of...
Bulk Canadian wheat import passes biosecurity assessment
A CONSIGNMENT of imported bulk wheat from Canada has arrived in Australia, with the Department of Agriculture reassuring local producers it will be subject to strict conditions....
ABF boss talks customs in Laos and SE Asia
AUSTRALIAN Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram recently attended the 28th meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations Directors-General of Customs, held in Laos....
Kent Heazlett awarded for “significant service”
CUSTOMS broker and trade expert Kent Heazlett has been awarded a gong on the Queen’s Birthday honours list. Mr Heazlett is the owner of Cornish International Pty Ltd and managing...
New tobacco import laws set to take effect
THE Australian Border Force has put out an alert, reiterating that from 1 July, most tobacco products will be declared “prohibited imports”. Such products includes cigarettes,...
Australian and PNG patrol the Torres Strait
THE latest joint cross border patrol of the Torres Strait has taken place, with authorities from Australia and Papua New Guinea cooperating on this porous stretch of water. Led by...
Stereo speakers used to hide giant meth consignment
A CONSIGNMENT of stereo speakers from Bangkok was used to conceal Australia’s largest onshore methylamphetamine (ice) seizure, authorities say. Australian Border Force officers...
Potentially harmful banana corms intercepted
A PASSENGER who arrived recently at Brisbane Airport was carrying, in empty water bottles, banana corms that could have posed a threat to Australia’s banana growers. The banana...
Opening maritime markets
AN ECOMMERCE platform designed for the shipping industry has been announced by Singapore business Marine Online. According to the proponents, more than 10,000 product listings and...
Forwarders gather for annual event
FORWARDERS and other players in the freight sector gathered for the Australian Federation of International Forwarders Conference. The event was held at the Hyatt Place, Essendon...
“Insatiable appetite” for drugs, says Outram
A SURGING freight task is providing opportunities for criminals engaged in the illicit drugs trade, Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram says. Addressing the AFIF...
AFIF conference set to begin
HEAVY hitters from government and industry will gather at Essendon Fields, Melbourne this week for the Australian Federation of International Forwarders National Conference. To be...
