News

It is commonly said that ‘when China sneezes, the world catches a cold’. So what is the long-term diagnosis for the corona virus breakout, and what will the economic symptoms be?

The Peru-Australia FTA entered into force on 11 February 2020, providing businesses a gateway to Latin America and strengthening our economic relationships within the region.

The Coronavirus is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the Australian Government has implemented enhanced risk assessments on all international shipping.

Authorities suspend performing external Country Action List (CAL) or Rural Tailgate inspections on containers due to lack of qualified engineers being certified.

Last week we reported that the Free Trade Agreement with Hong Kong has come into effect. Importers should be aware that there are Rules of Origin governing their transactions.

The A–HKFTA started on 17 January 2020. It includes preferential rates of customs duty for certain classifications of goods and more opportunities for investment and trade.

The New Year’s deadline for low-sulphur fuel for vessels has come into effect, although some shipping lines are still awaiting bunker supplies as fuel prices push higher.

The Australia–China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement is a treaty-level program that helps our farming, fishing and forestry industries unlock new opportunities through the ChAFTA.

Importers of solar energy equipment in both Queensland and Victoria have been ordered to pay shortfalls in duty, in cases that involved dumping of low-priced overseas goods.

The Government will not proceed with the Biosecurity Imports Levy proposed in the 2018-19 Budget but instead develop an alternative biosecurity levy, in consultation with industry.