Welcome to our November News Brief
Dear Valued Customer,
There is no doubt that trade between Australia and China has delivered significant benefits to both our countries. Following China’s recent decision to remove tariffs on Australian barley, the Australian government announced a few weeks ago that China would also begin a five-month review of the high tariffs imposed on Australian wine in 2020.
China imposed the tariffs after Australia called for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 in 2020 which added as much as 218 percent to the cost of Australian wine imported into China. It goes without saying that the measures have had a massive effect on the Australian wine industry. Australian wine exports to China were valued at more than $1bn before the tariffs were put in place but that figure has dropped to around $12m.
It’s great to see that a deal has been reached to review the wine tariffs. This would have delighted every winemaker in Australia and should be seen as a diplomatic breakthrough and a positive sign of improving relations between Australia and China.
If both countries can work constructively to remove the tariffs, the only remaining trade restrictions will be certain bans on Australian lobsters and red meat exports from some abattoirs and processing facilities. There is definitely scope to be positive and optimistic, but let’s also remain a little cautious.
Sam Curro
Executive Business Manager – Oceania
New Due Diligence
Guidance Material
If you import timber or wood-based products into Australia, you need to know what timber is in your product and where it comes from
• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has developed new guidance material to help importers of regulated timber products to understand and meet their due diligence requirements under Australia’s illegal logging laws
• Toolkits are now available on DAFF’s webpage that outline the five key due diligence steps. They align with the illegal logging laws and the way DAFF conducts compliance audits...
DP World Cybersecurity Incident
Concerns over the impact of the cybersecurity incident that threatened to interrupt DP World’s port operations for weeks at ports in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle have largely been addressed
• Operations resumed at all four ports at 9:00am on Monday 13 November following successful testing of key systems
• Investigation and ongoing restoration of their systems is likely to take some time and may cause some temporary disruptions to their services
• The expectation of DP World is that recovery in Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane will be reached by the end of this week, however Sydney is expected to be impacted for up to 2 more weeks
• Additional information will be provided as further updates are released
DP World Industrial Action
Industrial action continues around DP World terminals nationally with further work bans and stoppages until 27 November at ports in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle
• The MUA’s extend stoppages and work bans have been announced even as DP World recovers from last week’s cyberattack
• We will continue monitoring the impact on DP World operations and hope there is a swift resolution on the EBA soon...
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Update
New, Unused and not Field Tested (NUFT) Goods
A reminder that BMSB NUFT declarations may be used for eligible goods manufactured on or after 1 December 2023. If your goods can meet ALL the following criteria, they will not be subject to mandatory BMSB treatment (random inspections may still apply):
• Have the goods been manufactured on or after 1 December 2023 (manufacture must start on or after 1 December of the current BMSB risk season)?
• Are the goods classified under the following tariff chapters only: 82, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 89?
• Can evidence be provided in the form of a BMSB NUFT (new, unused and not field tested) manufacturers declaration that the goods were manufactured on or after 1 December?
A BMSB NUFT declaration template can be found below from DAFF's webpage.
120 Hour Post Treatment Window
• Goods treated for BMSB risk from 1 December 2023 are recognised as having a lower risk of re-infestation and are not subject to the post treatment window rule
• Further information on the post treatment window rule can be found below from DAFF’s webpage...
Failing Food Report - September 2023
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has published its failing food report under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme for September 2023. The report shows:
- Food imports that have failed analytical testing
- Foods containing non permitted additives or ingredients
- Food that is not permitted due to being a prohibited plant, or fungi
