On 1 March 2019, export air cargo, regardless of destination, will need to be examined at piece-level by a Regulated Air Cargo Agent under an Enhanced Air Cargo Examination Notice, or originate from a Known Consignor.

According to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, this change is necessary to ensure Australia is responding to the evolving terrorist threat.

If you haven’t already done so, please talk to your air cargo supply chain about:

• if and how the change will impact your current export arrangements. For example, possible changes to delivery times or delays, and possible increases in costs
• your options to minimise the impact of the change. Think about things such as packaging of your products, handling of consolidated cargo, scheduling of your deliveries, and how your cargo is transported
• considerations for your business becoming a Known Consignor. Information on the Known Consignor Scheme is available on the Home Affairs website via http://bit.ly/TA294AIR.

More information

Information on the Known Consignor scheme is available via http://bit.ly/TA294AIR.

Information on the piece rate changes is available here.

If you have questions, please contact the Department of Home Affairs at guidancecentre@homeaffairs.gov.au or call 1300 791 581.

This article was written for the Summer 2019 edition of Talking Avocados.