New Zealand
AIR
IMPORT
- Air NZ and Menzies are currently operational with no major disruptions reported.
- Export and import cargo flows are steady, though minor delays may occur during peak consolidation and build-up times.
- Space within export CTO facilities remains manageable, but customers are reminded to ensure accurate pre alert documentation lodgement times to avoid storage charges.
EXPORT
- Air NZ and Menzies are currently operational with no major disruptions reported.
- Air New Zealand Cargo now operate an automated weight verification from late October 2025 across their AKL, CHC and WLG terminals.
- A 5% tolerance applies 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 begun, with inbound volumes increasing steadily across all major integrators and postal networks.
- Peak season surcharges introduced from 20 October remain in effect, reflecting higher operational costs and network congestion.
- Transit times remain mostly stable, though minor delays are being experienced ex Asia, Europe, and the US during regional holidays and weather events.
- Capacity remains available; however, certain routes are experiencing short-term bottlenecks due to customs clearance volumes and gateway congestion.
- Customers are encouraged to plan ahead for time-sensitive deliveries, with longer lead times recommended from late November through December.
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Goods) Levy rate changes:
From 1 January 2026, changes to the Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Goods) Levy Regulations will result in decreased levy rates.The Climate Change (Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Levies) Amendment Regulations 2025 (Schedules 1 and 2) set out the new levy rates. Updates to tariff codes are also included in Schedule 2.
Read more at the following link:
Annual updates to synthetic greenhouse gas levy rates | Ministry for the Environment
Heavy Engineering Research Levy Act Amendment Order 2025:
From 13 November 2025, changes to Schedule 2 of the Heavy Engineering Research Levy Act 1978 (the Act) enable the Heavy Engineering Research Levy to be collected on the following tariff code items at the rate of $20/tonne:– 7308.90.05 00J Parts specifically designed for wind turbine towers
– 7308.90.90 31F Other
- Metroport containers from Port of Tauranga are taking up to 14 days to arrive. They have advised even Priority containers are taking up to 6 days.
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).
- Stevedore Fee increases – industry has received 60 day notices from VICT, DP World, FACT and Patrick Terminals of increases to Landside and Ancillary charges, effective 1st January 2026.
- DAFF has announced the start of the 2025–26 Burnt Pine Longicorn (BPL) beetle flight season, running from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026. Heightened surveillance will apply to vessels, timber, and timber products arriving from New Zealand during this period.
- All timber consignments loaded on or after 1 November 2025 must comply with the relevant BICON case: Timber and timber products imported from New Zealand during BPL flight season. Exemptions apply to cargo loaded or sealed in containers before the commencement date.
- Terminals:
Hutchison Ports Brisbane – MUA Picnic Day – Terminal Closure – Tuesday 4th November
DP World Sydney – MUA Authorised Stop Work Meeting – Tuesday 25th November from 1000 hours – 1400 hours
Patrick Brisbane Autostrad Terminal – MUA Stop Work Meeting – Tuesday 25th November from 0700 hours – 1100 hours - We have been advised of the following MUA Authorised Stop Work Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday 25th November 2025.
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) wish to advise members that all terminal operations at DP World Brisbane will cease due to an MUA authorised Stop Work Meeting on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, from 0700hrs to 1100hrs.
Refer to the following notice for full details:
MUA AUTHORISED STOP WORK MEETING – DP WORLD BRISBANE
An authorised MUA stop work meeting will be held in DP World Brisbane from 07:00 am – 11:00 am on Tuesday, 25th November 2025.
All terminal operations will cease during this period.
- There will be a terminal shutdown at Patrick Terminal Fisherman Islands. All ship and yard operations will cease between 0700 – 2300hrs on Thursday 27th November 2025.
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.
- Transit times from secondary Asian gateways have lengthened slightly, with carriers prioritizing higher-yield cargo.
- Some carriers are implementing weight or size restrictions on dense freight due to payload optimization measures.
- We recommend early bookings where possible and flexibility on routing or airline selection to secure uplift.
EXPORT
- Consols are operating on schedule with generally good carrier capacity.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Space from North Asia is certainly challenging as we start getting to the final sailings for a pre-Christmas arrival. We are still able to get bookings if you require goods here prior to Christmas, however we may need to look at more expensive options.
- South-East Asia is relatively free, except for Maersk, who is still experiencing a 1 – 2 week rollover in Singapore/ Tanjung Pelepas (transship ports).
- Focus now shifts to Lunar New Year closures which do fall later in 2026, with the celebrations beginning on 17 February 2026.
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.
- Transit times remain consistent, though minor delays may occur around weekend cut-offs and Sydney–Auckland peak departures.
- Rates have remained stable, with only minor adjustments expected as carriers review fuel and handling surcharges.
- Seasonal uplift demand is increasing for e-commerce and retail cargo, so early booking is still encouraged for larger consignments.
EXPORT
- Consols are moving as booked and capacity remains available on most routes.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Due to operational issues in Sydney, the ANL Hansa Homburg 2521 / 2522 will blank its current voyage and will be out for at least two weeks.
- 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.
- Maersk vessels via Asia are experiencing 1-2 week delay in transshipment port.
- 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
- Due to increased imports from China to the Middle East many carriers are experiencing heavy demand and space has tightened.
- Vessels are strongly booked; we encourage making bookings 3 weeks in advance.
- European ports congestion has eased slightly.
North America
AIR
IMPORT
- Consols are moving as booked with good capacity across most carriers with some minimal to moderate delays. (1-2 days)
- Rates have remained stable throughout October early November; with no fluctuations at this stage.
- United Airlines have resumed 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 has resumed Auckland services, with flights operating again from 9 October 2025.
- American Airlines have restarted 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
- Consols are operating on schedule with generally good carrier capacity.
- United Airlines have resumed 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 has resumed Auckland services, with flights operating again from 9 October 2025.
- American Airlines have restarted 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 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 0.7 days.
Norfolk – no berthing delays, import dwell time remains at 2.4 days.
Charleston – berthing delay of 12 hours, import dwell has reduced time is 4.9 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 – no waiting time 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 1 crane remains out of service. Average import delivery timeframe is running 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
- A reminder that we are beginning to get to a point where the last sailings are departing for pre-Christmas arrival.
- No issues getting space at this point.
EXPORT
- The US Federal Government shutdown continues and is affecting US Border services. Customs entries continue to be processed; however FDA, USDA and other Customs specialist teams will be impacted, shipments may be delayed.
- 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.
As announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), new measures under Section 301 will take effect on October 14, 2025, gradually introducing service fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built vessels calling at U.S. ports which escalate over a period of three years.
Vessels currently operating from NZ are not impacted and no surcharges are being implemented currently.
