New Zealand
AIR
IMPORT
- Air NZ and Menzies are currently operational with no major disruptions reported.
EXPORT
- Air NZ and Menzies are currently operational with no major disruptions reported.
- Air New Zealand Cargo is introducing automated weight verification from late October 2025 across their AKL, CHC and WLG terminals.
- A 5% tolerance will apply between the AWB and actual weight. Shipments outside this range will need the AWB corrected before acceptance. For China-bound cargo, the limit is within 1 kg (or 5 kg scale range) to meet Customs rules.
INTERNATIONAL COURIER
- Peak Season has officially commenced, with cargo volumes already increasing and expected to rise steadily through to Christmas.
- Updated Peak Season surcharges took effect from 20 October, following the review period between 22 September and 19 October, reflecting current volume demands and cost pressures.
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
- KiwiRail, North Island Main Truck line between Hamilton and Palmerston North was closed last week due to weather damage. Repairs will be completed to allow re-opening on Tuesday 21st. KiwiRail is road bridging Reefer, DG, and Urgent freight until the network is reopened.
- KiwiRail Block of Lines this Labour Weekend.
Upper North Island: Friday morning to Monday night. There is no road bridging in place so expect delays for containers arriving to Metroport from Tauranga.
Any domestic rail in or out of Auckland will not move between those times.
Wellington/Lower North Island: Closed Palmerston North to Wellington, Saturday morning to Monday Night.
Australia
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
- Reefer (Refrigerated) container stock is becoming low in Australia. Carriers are now looking to reposition Reefer containers back into Australia to meet the export demand for the upcoming summer months. They are offering reduced rates and priority shipping for Non-Refrigerated containers (NOR’s). Please speak to your Customer Service Rep for pricing options and if your cargo is suitable.
- BMSB Seasonal Measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured in, or shipped from, target risk countries (shipped between 1st September 2025 to the 30th April 2026 inclusive). Whilst the majority of the rules from previous seasons apply, there are a few additions:
– The Republic of Korea and Japan have been added to the emerging risk countries list
– Target high risk goods arriving as Airfreight from the USA and China will be subject to random inspections
– Addition of Ethyl Formate as a new form of offshore BMSB treatment
Please refer to www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs for more details on the 2025-2026 BMSB season. We recommend cargo is treated at origin (offshore) prior to importing into Australia. Please speak to your Customer Services Representative for options.
- It will reportedly be a bumper grain crop this season, which means that 20’ containers will be in short supply for exports across Australia. Please speak to your Customer Services rep about options (including large LCL shipments, shipping in NOR’s or 40’ containers).
Asia
AIR
IMPORT
- Capacity issues persist from many origins due to reduced services of the Airlines, ocean delays and the conversion of shipments to air transport, particularly from China, Singapore and South Korea.
- Rates remain volatile across key trade lanes due to high demand and limited space availability.
EXPORT
- Consols are operating on schedule with generally good carrier capacity.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Post-Golden Week Volumes have exceeded all expectations, with most services from China and North Asia full for the next few weeks. How this plays out as we move into November will depend on how much last minute demand we see to get product in prior to Christmas.
- There has been a flare up in congestion in Singapore and Malaysian transship ports and we are now seeing containers caught up for up to 5 weeks to connect on vessels bound for Oceania. We are hoping this is short lived, but if this extends too much longer, it may impact arrivals that were originally planned for prior to Christmas.
- Empty containers availability is posing some challenges however this is often only short-lived (a day or two). Where possible, please ensure suppliers are uplifting equipment as early as possible.
EXPORT
- Some Carriers are still experiencing transshipment delays in Singapore.
- Space has eased but vessels are often still fully booked 2+ weeks in advance, we encourage you to make bookings in advance where possible.
Trans-Tasman
AIR
IMPORT
- Consols are generally moving as booked with capacity available on most carriers.
EXPORT
- Consols are moving as booked and capacity remains available on most routes.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- 20’ containers are still in short supply across Australia. Please speak with your Customer Services Representative for options.
EXPORT
- All NZ export services have immediate availability.
Europe
AIR
IMPORT
- While most consols are moving as scheduled, there are minor to moderate delays expected (1–3 days), often due to routing adjustments and operational bottlenecks.
- Strong demand and limited capacity into Auckland are driving rate volatility and ongoing space constraints.
EXPORT
- Capacity via Asia and Middle Eastern airlines remains generally stable. However, space into London is currently very limited, with most airlines experiencing delays and backlogs.
OCEAN
- Red Sea is still at risk of attacks by Houthi rebels. Maersk and CMA have not announced any return to the Suez Canal for NZ services, and continue to sail around the Cape of Good Hope.
IMPORT
- BMSB season has started again on September 1st 2025 and will run to April 30th 2026. Procedures are mostly the same as last season.
- Port strikes in Antwerp and Rotterdam have delayed departures from those two ports and also Hamburg as vessels try and avoid ANT and RTM.
- We have seen increased customs inspections from European ports particularly on cargo with any military connection.
- Maersk Vessels via Panama now transit the USA and require AMS filing.
- Vessels are off window arriving into Europe from the Cape of Good Hope. On time arrivals are as low as 21%. This is causing the weekly schedules to be disrupted.
- 20’ reefers are in low supply across Europe.
EXPORT
- Reefer space and equipment is more available.
- Vessels are heavily booked; bookings need to be made 3 weeks in advance.
- European ports are congested, Southampton is at 90-95% capacity.
- Recent storms in Northern Europe has caused disruption and delays.
North America
AIR
IMPORT
- Consols are moving as booked with good capacity across most carriers.
- Rates have remained stable throughout Sept; with no fluctuations at this stage.
- United Airlines will resume daily flights to and from Auckland from 27 October 2025 and will also begin operating three flights per week between Christchurch and the U.S. from 5 December 2025.
- Delta Airlines is scheduled to return to Auckland services on 9 October 2025.
- American Airlines will restart flights to and from Auckland on 28 October 2025.
- Hawaiian Airlines is set to resume Auckland services on 18 November 2025.
- Air Canada will return with flights to and from Auckland starting 30 November 2025.
EXPORT
- Space remains limited on certain sectors during the New Zealand winter period due to reduced services and capacity.
- United Airlines will resume daily flights to and from Auckland from 27 October 2025 and will also begin operating three flights per week between Christchurch and the U.S. from 5 December 2025.
- Delta Airlines is scheduled to return to Auckland services on 9 October 2025.
- American Airlines will restart flights to and from Auckland on 28 October 2025.
- Hawaiian Airlines is set to resume Auckland services on 18 November 2025.
- Air Canada will return with flights to and from Auckland starting 30 November 2025.
OCEAN
- Vancouver – no berthing delays. Import rail dwell average has reduced to 2.3 days.
- Panama Canal services for ANP/OC1 service – Space is readily accessible, we do encourage that bookings are placed in 2+ weeks in advance of departure.
- US Terminal Operations:
New York – no berthing delays. Import rail dwell time is 0.9 days.
Norfolk – berthing delays have reduced to 6 hours, import dwell time remains at 3.6 days.
Charleston – small berthing delay of 3 hours, import dwell time is 6.9 days.
Savannah – average wait time for a berth has decreased slightly to 2.3 days, Import dwell time has reduced to 4.9 days, rail dwell time is 1.1 days.
Houston – waiting time of 3 hours for a berth. Import dwell time is 3.6 days. 1 crane at Barbours Cut terminal is out of operation.
Oakland – no berthing delays, however 4 cranes are out of service. Average import delivery timeframe is running
at 4 days.
at 4 days.
Seattle – no berthing delays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days.
Long Beach – Congestion on port has not improved with delays of 4-8 days.
IMPORT
- There are no major delays caused by the Federal Government shutdown in USA however, it is impacting our ability to get new rates filed (mainly impacting special equipment). Anything requiring FMC, FDA or other Government department intervention will likely see delays, however this is more at an individual shipment level and will depend on commodities etc.
- Space is relatively easy to come by at the moment, though we will start seeing minor delays through the Northern States of the USA and Canada as the temperatures start to drop.
EXPORT
- West Coast North America – the direct service to West Coast of the US & Canadian is seeing a drop off in demand, the Vancouver calling vessels remain at capacity.
- Reefer equipment is starting to free up, space remains tight on the Vancouver calling vessels on the West Coast.
- Certain timber and lumber cargo, currently exempt of duty, will soon be subject to a 10% tariff. The duty will apply to affected goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on October 14, 2025. HS codes captured are in headings 4403, 4406 & 4407. We are waiting for the US Customs Directive on how the tariff will be applied providing clarification if the 10% will be charged in addition to the 15% duty apply to NZ goods (under section 232). We will keep you informed.
Duty level increases have been announced for upholstered wooden products (30%) and kitchen cabinets and vanities (50%), taking effect January 1st 2026
If you would like clarification around impacted HS codes, please contact your Oceanbridge representative.
If you would like clarification around impacted HS codes, please contact your Oceanbridge representative.
- The pending US Federal Government shutdown due to funding issues will adversely affect US Border services. Customs entries will continue to be processed, however FDA, USDA and other Customs specialist teams will be
impacted.
