Australian Border Force has advised industry of temporary delays affecting container examinations in New South Wales due to increased container volumes and a rise in complex examinations at the NSW Container Examination Facility. ABF has indicated that LCL consignments remain largely unaffected and that resources have been redeployed to address the backlog. Members should factor potential delays into planning and continue to engage through normal channels where required.

Members have reported increased delays associated with border holds over the past week and a half, including outside New South Wales. While border holds themselves are not new, the duration and timing of recent holds are creating increased pressure and concern for customers.

IFCBAA has raised these concerns with ABF, provided multiple examples of impacted shipments, and advised of our availability to support the redline and cargo assessment teams during this busy period to assist in increasing throughput and reducing hold duration where possible.

Further updates will be provided should there be any significant changes to operational capacity or timeframes.

Story courtesy of IFCBAA & ABF

Photo courtesy of ABF