To Warehouse or Not to Warehouse – That is the Question

With warehouse space at an absolute premium currently, it’s very easy to suddenly find yourself with nowhere to store your cargo once it arrives into Port, and having to stack boxes floor to ceiling in your back office until shelf space frees up. However, with some planning and asking the right questions, it doesn’t have […]
Fresh Reports Highlights Need For Immediate Improvements to Australia’s Shipping Industry

The recent release of the Productivity Commission’s final report into the Maritime Logistics System has once again highlighted the need for the industry to implement changes to improve efficiency and productivity, and both business and consumers stand to benefit. I, among others within the industry, have been calling for meaningful change to occur for some […]
Demurrage Vs Detention

Here at EES Shipping we try and identify the terminology that is often used incorrectly or simply not understood at all. What exactly are these charges? The easiest way to keep demurrage rates and detention fees straight is as follows: demurrage rates are charged on containers inside the port or terminal, whereas detention fees are […]
Why We Want Our Staff to Play While They’re Getting Paid

We know office workers around the country have been struggling with morale and mental health as the global pandemic continues, so we at EES have decided to inject a little fun and games into our daily nine-to-five. Ongoing shipping congestion has meant we’ve never been busier as a company, so we recently decided to install […]
Importing into Australia

So you’ve purchased some product from overseas, but not sure what you do now? This is where EES, your trusted freight forwarder, steps in. Providing your Incoterms are relevant, it is at this stage that you should notify us of the order that you have placed with your supplier. Let us show you step-by-step the […]
Late Lodgement of Documents to Quarantine

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Quarantine) has made enhancements to the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS) and the Cargo Workload Management System (CWMS). We are now required to supply a reason if we lodge your shipment documents within two business days or less of the estimated arrival date. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: This […]
Export Grants Overhaul

Small to medium-sized businesses with exporting ambitions can now apply for upfront financial assistance for a host of trade development activities under a major overhaul of Austrade’s export grants scheme.  Under changes that took effect on July 1, the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program has pivoted from a reimbursement scheme to offering upfront funding to eligible SMEs.  Austrade has also lowered the application threshold […]
Coronavirus Trade Update

Our good friends at Freight and Trade Alliance have provided us with the latest update on the how coronavirus is affecting the shipping industry: China – Update Our sources from China have provided us with the following updates  As at 19 May 2020 there are 108 cases in 12 cities of Mainland China. Jilin province in […]
BMSB Fact Sheets

We are a few weeks into the 2019/2020 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Season. The Department of Agriculture have issued some fantastic fact sheets that can assist you in navigating this season. Click on any of the below links to read about the treatment options and consignment suitability below. bmsb-consignment-suitability bmsb-heat-treatment bmsb-methyl-bromide-fumigation bmsb-sulfuryl-fluoride-fumigation
China Golden Week Holidays

The China Golden Week holidays are coming up fast. We are currently experiencing the usual space problems from China as we move closer to peak season.  With the upcoming week long holiday, suppliers in China will also be working hard to clear the stock from their warehouses – this will cause even more space issues […]
Change of Department of Agriculture name and logo

After the federal election in May 2019, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources was renamed the Department of Agriculture. The department will now be referred to the Department of Agriculture in all AIMS documentation and the logo replaced by the new department logo. Please note the new departmental name and logo: Old logo New […]
Deferring GST on Imported Goods

Goods and services tax (GST) is payable on most goods imported into Australia (taxable importations). GST on a taxable importation is payable by businesses, organisations and private individuals, whether they are registered for GST or not. However, if you are a GST-registered business or organisation and you import goods as part of your activities, you […]
Fire on board the APL Vancouver

A timely reminder about how important marine insurance can be to your company has occurred during the last month. In the early hours of 31 January, off the Vietnamese coast, a fire started in the cargo hold forward of container ship APL Vancouver’s accommodation block. The ship, in transit from China to Singapore, had to be […]
Be prepared for Easter and ANZAC Day 2019

It’s not long to go until we celebrate Easter! We have all been holiday overloaded here with Christmas and then Chinese New Year but we’re always looking ahead at the next holiday that will cause a headache in the world of logistics. Vessels still arrive during this four day holiday.  Wharves will still charge storage […]
Finding Australia’s niche in Japan’s wine market

The Japanese market is currently experiencing its ‘seventh wine boom’ as a surge in affordable ‘new world wines’ fuels record levels of imports. In 2017, Japan was the sixth-largest wine importing country, totalling 284 million litres valued at A$2.2 billion.[iii] Current trends suggest wine is becoming a mainstay consumption item of daily life in Japan, […]
Chinese New Year 2019

Chinese New Year is a fantastic time of the year. It’s full of colour, excitement and tradition. It is the time to eat, celebrate, cleanse your house, exchange gifts and watch the fireworks. But for the shipping industry it can be an extremely difficult time. With most suppliers, customs authorities and shipping lines closing for […]
How Chinese New Year can affect you

It’s the largest human event on the planet, we’re talking about Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year and Spring Festival). All of China, some 1.357 billion people, will soon (if they haven’t already!) go on holiday – celebrating the new year changing from the Year of the Dog to the Year of […]
Peak Season Prep 2018

Who can believe we’re already half way through 2018! The second half of the year tends to be even faster, so now is the time to start thinking of you planning for the Peak Season ahead. Keeping ahead of the rush is critical in ensuring that you don’t end up with a unbearable migraine along […]
Actual, volumetric and chargeable weights

Today we’re discussing air freight and the difference between the actual weight of the cargo versus the volumetric weight, along with chargeable weights. Air freight works differently than sea freight. The weight that you are charged for freight and terminal fees is the chargeable weight – which is not necessarily the actual weight of the […]
Removal of DG Stickers

Who can believe that it’s almost been three years since we reminded you of the steps that you need to take once your import container is empty. Today we wanted to share the importance of removing any labeling that was attached to your container (for transportation purposes), for instance Dangerous Goods (DG) stickers. Dangerous Goods […]
Be prepared for Easter

It’s not long to go until we celebrate Easter! We have all been holiday overloaded here with Christmas and then Chinese New Year but we’re always looking ahead at the next holiday that will cause a headache in the world of logistics. Vessels still arrive during this four day holiday.  Wharves will still charge storage […]
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Vessels at Risk

Due to the detection in Australia and New Zealand of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) on a number of vessels arriving from Asian ports, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) is increasing the assessment and inspection of all ro‑ro vessels from Monday 26 February 2018. BMSB is a highly invasive insect and […]
Importing and unexpected costs

As an importer your goal would be to provide goods to customers that may not be available locally and make money while doing it. To ensure that your business is successful,  your primary job is crunching numbers to ensure that the landed cost of your good is not higher than your sale price. So what happens […]
Making the most of the the KAFTA

The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) entered into force on the 14 December 2014. Using KAFTA is making a big difference for Australian exporters in Korea. Getting the benefits from the agreement can be easier than you think. This report gives you a quick summary of how to use the agreement, and how you can […]
Importing a food trailer into Australia

The food truck industry is currently booming in Western Australia.  It’s taken a bit longer for our small part of the world to catch on to a craze that literally everyone has been into for the last few years, but now that it’s here, we can’t get enough. Now-a-days you can buy any kind of […]
Asbestos found in imported vintage cars

The Australian Border Force are warning importers of classic cars into Australia to be aware of the Government’s zero percent asbestos policy. Since 2003 Australia has had a total ban on asbestos and this is to be adhered to for all imports into Australia. The following article appears on Australia’s news.com.au and outlined multiple detections […]
Asbestos Export Requirements

No doubt you are all aware of the ongoing issues in relation to asbestos imports into Australia as well as exports from our country. The strict asbestos laws that are governed by Australia also applies to exporters from our country.  Please kindly take the time to read the fact sheet by clicking here which covers your […]
India GST application

Please be advised on the implementation of the GST regime effective 1stJuly 2017 for all India shipments. GST is expected to rollout from 01/07/2017 and hence it is critical for all our clients to be ready for a seamless transition to this GST regime. While its needless to state that Shipping services will also fall […]
Budget 2017/18

Last week the Federal Government handed down a budget that carried the tagline “fairness, opportunity and security”. While the focus of the budget was far from customs and trade, there were a number of measures announced that will impact importers, exporters, (along with freight forwarders and customs brokers). Customs and trade highlights announced were: There […]
Timber and timber products

Back in February, we advised of a new requirement that was pending for importers of timber products.  Head to our website to read the full post here. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (Quarantine) have now provided industry with an implementation date of the 1st September 2017. Please see the following received directly from […]
Exporting and FTA’s

Today we’d like to discuss with you exporting and free trade agreements. Australia has a number of free trade agreements currently in place with many different countries around the world. The Korea, Japan and China Free Trade Agreements alone have been massive game changers for exporters, along with importers, in Australia. Free Trade Agreements are […]
Refund of customs import duty

Today we’re discussing the refund of customs import duty – or duty refunds as they are commonly referred to. Under certain circumstances you might be entitled to a refund of some, or all, of the Customs duty that you have paid on imported goods. The National Refunds Centre is responsible for the management of refunds […]
Aussie Exports and the ChAFTA

We’ve spoken about how the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has assisted Australian importers with such bonuses as reduced or eliminated duty rates, but how about Aussie Exporters? Since the introduction of the ChAFTA on the 20th December 2015, Australian Exporters have begun to reap the benefits of preferential tariff treatments. Thanks to ChAFTA, products […]
Easter is coming

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) are commencing their education of Australia’s citizens on what they are allowed to bring or send into Australia for this upcoming Easter Holiday (Good Friday being the 14th April, Easter Sunday 15th April). The DAWR’s website is chock full of information on cultural and seasonal events and […]
Wooden Products – things are about to change .. again

It wasn’t that long ago when importers of regulated timber products received a shake up with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources introducing the mandatory due diligence requirement in order to combat illegal logging worldwide. Importers stepped up and embraced the new ruling with processes running smoothly for over a year now. The Department […]
How to conquer the Canton Fair

The 121st Canton Fair is right around the corner. The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) is one of the largest trade fairs with the most variety of exhibits and it is conveniently located in Pazhou Island, Guangzhou, China. Due to the size of this fair it is broken down into three phases. The […]
ChAFTA – one year on

Who can believe that the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has now been in place for over one year. ChAFTA’s first birthday, the 20th December, came and went without so much of a celebration, but for those that deal with this document daily, this year has been a hard one. Since entering into force on […]
Chinese New Year 2017

Chinese New Year is a fantastic time of the year. It’s full of colour, excitement and tradition. It is the time to eat, celebrate, cleanse your house, exchange gifts and watch the fireworks. But for the shipping industry it can be an extremely difficult time. With most suppliers, customs authorities and shipping lines closing for […]
Asbestos in Imports

Asbestos in Imports is again being discussed in depth. An Australia-wide ban on the manufacture and use of all types of asbestos and asbestos containing material (ACM) took effect on the 31st December 2003. In order to support the domestic ban, asbestos or ACM imports to, and exports from Australia are prohibited, unless permitted by […]
Your Incoterms – are they working for you?

The world of importing (and exporting!) can become a huge rabbit warren of information.  The amount of information that can be required for just a single shipment can be huge and quite often scary. Today we’d like to point out one huge downfall when it comes to importing under the terms CIF (Costs, Insurance, Freight) […]
Smooth sailing into peak season 2016

Wow, it’s THAT time again.  It’s the beginning of the Peak Season Planning for this year. Keeping ahead of the rush is critical in ensuring that you don’t end up with a unbearable migraine along with late cargo this year. Avoiding peak season induced stress is relatively simple.  Order early. It’s that easy.  Instead of […]
Verified Gross Mass FAQ Part 2

  Who can believe that it was at the end of 2015 when we were letting you know of the informative FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) document that had been issued by an industry coalition on the ever important SOLAS / Verified Gross Mass. The same coalition is now back with a second part FAQs. This […]
An Asbestos-Free Australia

  Despite it being illegal to import since the 31st December 2003, an inquiry has shown that products containing asbestos continues to be imported into Australia. The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) has recently reported that counterfeit car parts, some including asbestos, have been recently bought into the country. The importation into Australia of […]
Opening a shipping container door

 We’ve explained the details that are noted on shipping container doors on our blog before and we’ve even gone through the steps to take when your container is empty. Today we thought that we we share with you how to close and open your shipping container.  Before we get stuck in, below is a complete […]
Prohibited and restricted imports

The import of certain goods into Australia is monitored and controlled by the Australian Border Force (ABF). The control includes: an absolute prohibition, where you are not allowed to import the goods in any circumstances, or a restriction, where you need to have written permission in order to import the goods. The Australian Border Force […]
Helpful ChAFTA websites

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) came into force on the 20th December 2015.  Since then exporters and importers from and to China have been scrambling to ensure that all documentation is correct and received in good time, allowing for correct concessions to be applied. Here at EES our brokers have been busy providing information […]
Tradex Scheme

Today we wanted to shine the light on a little known Scheme known as Tradex. The Tradex Scheme allows an importer to gain an up-front exemption from Customs duty and GST on eligible imported goods that are intended for export. The goods may be exported in the same condition as imported, subjected to a process […]
Addressing Challenges Together

The challengers facing seafarers on a daily basis is a constant one when it comes to piracy.  We’ve reported several times on pirate attacks occurring close to home in the Straights of Malacca and other surrounding areas. This article has been taken directly from the Australian Border Force website and re-iterates Australia’s involvement in the […]