There has been a significant number of reports regarding extended ABF border holds affecting both sea and air freight consignments since December. While border holds are not new, there are reports that the duration and volume of current holds fall outside normal operational expectations, with some shipments held for multiple weeks.

These extended timeframes are having material impacts on importers and supply chains, including substantial direct financial costs such as demurrage, detention, terminal and airline storage. These costs are not recoverable from ABF and ultimately sit with the importer.

Beyond direct costs, members are reporting broader supply chain disruption, including missed delivery windows, inability to fulfil customer orders or contracts, exposure to penalties for late delivery, and the risk of loss of future business.

Concerns have been formally raised with the Australian Border Force, seeking insight into the factors driving the extended timeframes, including whether they are demand-driven or linked to broader operational or system constraints.

Importers are encouraged to continue factoring potential delays into planning, manage customer expectations accordingly, and escalate issues through your freight forwarder or Customs Broker.

Please note that shipments subject to Australian Border Force border, redline or examination holds cannot be expedited by customs brokers, and ABF does not provide estimated release timeframes. All brokers & forwarders are subject to the same constraints while cargo remains under ABF control. Any demurrage, detention, storage or related costs arising during a border hold sit with the importer and are not recoverable from ABF.

The DDWL Team

Story courtesy of IFCBAA

Photo courtesy of ABF