New Zealand
AIR
IMPORT
- Major terminals (Air New Zealand, Swissport, Menzies) are operating normally nationwide.
EXPORT
- Major terminals (Air New Zealand, Swissport, Menzies) are operating normally nationwide.
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
- New Zealand Exports – Due to the conflict in Iran and the resulting increase in fuel costs delivery rates for DAP & DDP shipments will increase for shipments booked and in transit. Should your shipment be affected we will be in contact once costs are known. Weather is disrupting services resulting in equipment shortages.
- Weekly FAF amendments are still in place until fuel prices stabilise.
- Over the last week, we have seen a number of changes regarding customs restrictions and requirements. Changes are coming to the importation of Nitrous Oxide (NSO) and we also see changes to a Customs forms. In the coming months we will also see the introduction of the free trade agreement with India once it has passed through both Parliaments. If you have any questions on the changes, please reach our to any of the customs Team.
Australia
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
- BMSB Season concludes on the 1st May 2026, however please note that BMSB measures apply to anything shipped between 1st September to the 30th April inclusive.
- DAFF has confirmed that Turkmenistan will not be re-classified as a khapra beetle target-risk country. Current countries that are classified as Khapra Beetle target risk countries are Angola, Chad, Guinea, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Tanzania from 30th April 2026. Existing emergency measures for non target risk countries continue to apply to plant products exported to Australia.
- DAFF has published 3 new instructional fact sheets to help treatment providers meet documentation requirements for methyl bromide fumigations. The fact sheets provide step-by-step guidance on how to correctly complete the required forms, reducing the risk of processing delayed or refused biosecurity clearances caused by administration errors. The newly published resources can be found here: Methodologies and documents for biosecurity treatments – DAFF
- Following on from the concluded negotiations regarding the FTA with the EU (A-EU FTA), it is expected that the agreements will come into force in the coming years, enabling Australian Wine producers zero import tariffs on Australian Wine into the EU, protections that will allow existing grape variety names to be used indefinitely, a 10-year phase out on export labelling of Prosecco, and reduce analyte testing requirements. Updates to follow in due course.
- Dnata has announced a A$32 million investment to establish a dedicated cargo terminal operation at Western Sydney International Airport, operating from a 5,000sqm warehouse facility within the 24-hour cargo precinct. Freight operations are expected to commence in July 2026. Once completed, the facility will handle up to 60m000 tonnes of cargo annually.
- As Australia enters peak reefer season, exporters of hay, grain, and other perishables continue to face container shortages across multiple shipping lines. Demand remains particularly high for 20GP, 20RF, 20FQ, and 40RF units, creating ongoing pressure on supply chains for temperature-sensitive and bulk agricultural shipments.
- The Federal Government has announced a Trade Resilience Service (TRS) to support Australian exporters facing significant shipping and cargo disruptions resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The service will operate for 12 months commencing on the 15th April. Website link here: https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/how-wecan-help-you/programs-and-services/trade-resilience-service
- Carriers are introducing fuel levies to ancillary charges and waterways such as final truck deliveries, rail, and between Melbourne and Tasmania due to the escalating fuel crisis.
Asia
AIR
IMPORT
- China was on holiday until the 5th of May so we are expecting a surge in bookings between the 6th and 13th. Rates are likely to increase as capacity is taken.
- Capacity is starting to get stretched from the remainder of Asia for New Zealand imports, and rates are increasing.
- Capacity is tightening across SYD, MEL, and BNE but expected to stabilise over the coming weeks. Expect minor delays.
- Rates have stabilised for Australian imports, with spot pricing available for urgent or oversized shipments.
EXPORT
- For New Zealand exports; Consols are moving as booked with capacity available on most carriers. Rates have increased and fuel surcharges have been added.
- Australian export rates are showing slight upward pressure across key lanes into China and North Asia.
- Early bookings are strongly recommended for Australian exports, particularly for dense or oversized cargo.
OCEAN
- MSC has opted to remove the New Zealand port calls on their Wallaby service. They are currently looking to clear containers already within their control but have placed an immediate stop booking on all new bookings from Asia to New Zealand and have cancelled anything that hasn’t had an empty container uplifted. The last sailing calling NZ ports will be MSC Nadia IV KN617A, which has just departed Ningbo and is due to be in NZ waters from the last week of May; they are still working on a contingency plan for all cargo due to connect after this sailing.
IMPORT
- With many Asian countries on holiday late last week and early this week, things are mostly quiet, with space still available on most contracts and any issues accessing empty containers is limited to certain equipment types/ports.
- We expect space coming out of these holiday periods to begin to tighten as we march toward the usual peak season period.
- There are some transship issues in SE Asian hubs, with containers often rolling at least 1 sailing on most carriers.
EXPORT
- Some Carriers are still experiencing transhipment delays in Singapore.
- Space is tight, particularly for North Asia, please place your bookings a minimum of 4 weeks in advance of the desired shipment date. Reefer space and equipment is in high demand.
MIDDLE EAST:
Some Carriers are offering services to Khor Fakkan and Al Fujairah in the UAE. Alternative services to Aqaba, Jeddah and King Abdullah entering the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea are available.
Trans-Tasman
AIR
IMPORT
- Blocked space consols having some uplift issues, additional space remains hard to get as airlines are downgrading aircraft from wide body to narrow body.
- Fuel surcharges are now implemented for all carriers.
- Major terminals (Qantas Freight, Dnata, Swissport, Menzies) are operating as normal.
EXPORT
- Consols moving as booked, there is some disruption due to aircraft changes but overall most shipments moving well.
- Export terminals across Australia are operating normally.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Transtasman services remain relatively stable with occasional omissions or schedule adjustments. At the time of writing this, no significant backlog or congestion to contend with. Cover bookings on transtasman services can still be made 5-6 weeks in advance signalling space remains available in the foreseeable future.
- 20’ equipment remains tight across all ports with primary industries still in export season full swing. Converting consignments from 20’ containers to 40’ or 40’HC equipment (larger orders or less frequent shipments) improves the odds of availability as per your requirements. If more frequent but smaller orders were required, please consider our weekly LCL services to New Zealand.
EXPORT
- Auckland and Tauranga have good capacity; space is tight from most other load ports.
Europe
AIR
IMPORT
- Capacity via the US is now very difficult to get and there are still delays via Asia and the Middle East of up to 48 hours.
- Fuel Surcharges are now mostly rolled in to the rate, airlines are only quoting on a shipment by shipment basis from most origins.
- Capacity is tightening for Australian imports, with direct services experiencing delays of 24–48 hours.
- Rates have started to stabilise for Australian imports, with spot options for urgent or oversized freight.
- Backhaul demand into Australia remains steady.
EXPORT
- New Zealand Exports – Emirates have committed to two freighters a week on a regular schedule and this is working well. Space is available on these flights witch quick transfers to Europe via the Emirates network that is generally running well.
- Australian export capacity remains extremely limited via Asia and the Middle East, with some airlines accepting express shipments only.
- Rates continue to rise for Australian exports, with booking lead times extending up to one to two weeks.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Most services are open for bookings, however some lines may introduce Emergency Fuel Surcharges due to rapidly rising oil prices.
- BMSB season has now ended.
- CMA CGM and Maersk are continuing to sail via Cape of Good Hope. There is potential for congestion to build up in Asia at the transshipment ports.
- MSC has some Panama options available.
- We have seen increased customs inspections from European ports particularly on cargo with any military connection.
EXPORT
- Due to peak season space has tightened on all European services, please endeavour to place your bookings 4+ weeks in advance.
- European ports are experiencing persistent congestion across major container terminals due to a combination of structural, operational, and external disruptions. European port congestion is heavily exacerbated by labour dynamics—shortages, wage negotiations, and strike actions—interacting with automation, winter weather, and infrastructural limitations. Workforce issues remain both a primary driver of operational delays and a focal point for technological and managerial strategies aimed at restoring efficiency in European shipping networks. High demand for port services is outpacing existing capacity (especially in Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp).
North America
AIR
IMPORT
- Fuel surcharges expected to increase by the end of the first week of May.
- New Zealand import consols are now generally moving as booked. There are some delays but nothing more than 48 hours. Larger shipments are taking longer to get bookings but are getting away.
- Market conditions remain stable overall for Australian imports.
- Rates are holding in line with early-2026 levels, with increases expected over the next few weeks.
EXPORT
- Capacity remains full for New Zealand exports. Expect around a week to get a booking across all carriers, this is both the East and West Coast. United Airlines have increased their FSC for the month of May and this could increase in to June.
- Uplift availability remains strong across most carriers for Australian exports.
- Australian export rates are stable for now, with increases expected over the next few weeks.
OCEAN
- Vancouver terminal utilization has increased to 88%, there are no berthing delays. The average import rail dwell time has increased 3.4 days.
- US Terminal Operations:
New York – minimal berthing delays.
Norfolk – berthing delays of up to 6 hours, import dwell time has increased to 2.7 days.
Charleston – berthing delays of up to 6 hours, import dwell remains at 4.9 days.
Savannah – average wait time for a berth remains at 1 day, import dwell time has reduced to 3.8 days, rail dwell time has decreased slightly to 0.7 days.
Houston – no waiting time for a berth. Import dwell time has decreased to 3.8 days. Barbours Cut Container Terminal has 4 new STS cranes in commissioning status. The operational date is May 2026.
Oakland – no berthing delays. Average import delivery timeframe increased to 4.7 days.
Seattle – no berthing delays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days.
Long Beach – congestion on port is 4.8 days.
IMPORT
- No real space or equipment issues from either coast.
EXPORT
- West Coast North America – demand has increased for direct services to West Coast of the US & Canada. The Vancouver calling vessels are heavily booked to late June. There is a blank sailing in Week 21, effectively there is a 3-week gap between Vancouver departures. Effective the Seaspan Hamburg 617N, ETD Tauranga 14/5, vessels will call at Long Beach Fenix Marine Services terminal and no longer discharge at Long Beach.
- US East Coast space is tightening; we do encourage that bookings are placed in 3+ weeks in advance of departure.
- US Tariffs – refund process update:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have developed CAPE, a platform within the Automated Commerical Environment (ACE) for Importers to claim duty refunds.
To claim refunds the Importer of Record (IOR) must first register on the Ace Portal, once registered you can reclaim duties through CAPE.
Further information is below.
Instead of issuing refunds entry by entry:
• CBP will remove International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duty lines
• Recalculate duties
• Issue one consolidated refund payment
• CBP will remove International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duty lines
• Recalculate duties
• Issue one consolidated refund payment
Phase 1 includes:
• Certain unliquidated entries
• Certain entries within 80 days of liquidation
• Entries more than 80 days past liquidation are not eligible for CAPE and may require a protest (within 180
days of liquidation).
• Certain unliquidated entries
• Certain entries within 80 days of liquidation
• Entries more than 80 days past liquidation are not eligible for CAPE and may require a protest (within 180
days of liquidation).
How the process works:
1. Importer submits a list of entry numbers only through CAPE
2. CBP validates each entry
3. Eligible entries move forward; ineligible ones are removed
4. CBP recalculates duties and determines the refund amount
5. Refunds are issued after CBP review
1. Importer submits a list of entry numbers only through CAPE
2. CBP validates each entry
3. Eligible entries move forward; ineligible ones are removed
4. CBP recalculates duties and determines the refund amount
5. Refunds are issued after CBP review
How refunds are paid:
• All refunds are issued electronically via CBP Automated Clearing House (ACH).
• To receive the refund, importers must be enrolled to receive electronic refunds through the ACE Portal.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: CBP will deduct any unpaid debts before issuing refunds, and multiple entries may be combined into one lump sum payment.
• All refunds are issued electronically via CBP Automated Clearing House (ACH).
• To receive the refund, importers must be enrolled to receive electronic refunds through the ACE Portal.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: CBP will deduct any unpaid debts before issuing refunds, and multiple entries may be combined into one lump sum payment.
If your business is the Importer of Record with CBP and need to apply for duty refunds, please contact your Oceanbridge representative for guidance.
- US Tariffs – Section 232 – Pharmaceuticals and certain associated pharmaceutical ingredients
The U.S. Government has issued a new proclamation under Section 232 introducing tariffs on patented pharmaceuticals and certain associated pharmaceutical ingredients, citing national security concerns related to reliance on foreign production. These tariffs represent an expansion of Section 232 to the life sciences sector with immediate implications for sourcing, pricing, and compliance. This action takes effect on July 31, 2026.
