cargo aircraft

Australia follows US and Canada with stricter air cargo security measures

Oct 2, 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

In response to heightened security concerns, the US, Canada, and now Australia have implemented stricter security protocols for air cargo originating from Europe and the CIS, to minimise potential risks after incendiary devices were discovered within European parcel networks.

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs introduced the most recent restrictions on 26th September 2024, aligning with similar measures already enacted by the US and Canada.

The Australian regulation stipulates that air cargo from 55 countries must meet Established Business Relationship (EBR) criteria if destined for the country on passenger aircraft, and unknown senders’ consignments weighing more than 500g are prohibited from flying on passenger planes.

These measures follow incidents in which incendiary packages caused fires in European parcel networks, prompting authorities to raise concerns about cargo security.

The US, under its Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) programme, has introduced stricter regulations that demand more detailed information from shippers and consignees and only cargo from a Known Consignor or a shipper with an established relationship with a regulated agent or carrier is permitted to fly.

Similarly, Canada has rolled out new rules through Transport Canada, for air cargo originating from Europe, the CIS, and Central Asia. Canadian regulations also require that cargo from these regions be tendered only by shippers with an EBR with freight forwarders or air carriers.

To meet these criteria, shippers must have maintained an active account for at least 90 days and completed a minimum of six shipments during that time. Air Canada Cargo, for example, mandates that all air waybills include specific messaging confirming the relationship between the shipper and their logistics partner, in line with these new requirements.

These new regulations come in the wake of several security incidents, including a fire at a logistics hub in Leipzig, Germany, believed to have originated from a package sent from the Baltic region. Authorities suspect potential interference by Russian actors, further emphasising the need for heightened scrutiny across global supply chains.

Metro’s air exports to North America and Australia continue to fly without issue, or delay. Inbound consignments are processed through customs and associated border agencies by our local network partners.

EMAIL Elliot Carlile, Operations Director, for insights, prices and advice. 

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Seasonal measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

Oct 2, 2024 | , , , , , , , , , , ,

The 2024/25 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season is now underway, which means strict import regulations are implemented by Australia and New Zealand, with the United Kingdom a target risk country.

The BMSB is an agricultural pest native to China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, and Taiwan, and is renowned for the widespread damage it may cause to fruit and vegetable crops.

Accidentally introduced into the United States twenty years ago, the BMSB is now also established in South America and Europe.

Seasonal measures are crucial to protect agricultural industries from the significant biosecurity threat posed by BMSBs, which are known to damage over 300 plant species and can cause serious economic and ecological harm.

From the 1st September 2024 to 30th April 2025, Australia and New Zealand are enforcing seasonal measures on goods originating from 41 target risk countries.

This year, China and South Korea have been added to the heightened vessel surveillance list, alongside existing risk countries like the United Kingdom, which is subject to random inspections of shipments. Australia will randomly inspect UK-origin goods between 1st December and 30th April, while China-origin shipments will face inspections between 1st September and 31st December.

The BMSB measures apply to high-risk goods, including those shipped in break bulk, open containers, or on flat racks. These goods must undergo mandatory offshore treatments, such as fumigation or heat treatment, to mitigate the BMSB threat before arrival.

Treatment and packaging regulations
Both Australia and New Zealand require that all high-risk goods be packaged to allow for effective treatment. Packaging must permit fumigants or heat to reach all surfaces, meaning plastic wrapping may need to be adjusted or slashed to ensure proper infiltration. The regulations apply only to the goods themselves, not to packaging materials like cardboard or pallets, though these materials must still meet general non-commodity requirements.

To comply with these requirements, importers must ensure that their goods are treated by approved offshore BMSB treatment providers, registered with the relevant authorities. Australia’s AusTreat system and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) offer lists of authorised treatment providers.

Minimising delays and non-compliance risks
Non-compliance with BMSB regulations can lead to severe delays, additional costs, or even exportation of the shipment. To avoid these complications, importers are strongly encouraged to complete BMSB treatments offshore before the goods arrive in Australia or New Zealand. Accurate and early documentation, including treatment certificates, is essential for expediting inspections and clearing shipments.

By staying updated with these regulations and ensuring compliance, importers can minimise potential disruptions to their supply chains during the BMSB risk season.

Dedicated staging facilities
Metro has established dedicated staging facilities at origin and destination ports to comply with seasonal measures for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).

These facilities are sterilised to meet quarantine and inspection standards, such as those set by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), providing a controlled environment for the inspection, cleaning, and fumigation of high-risk cargo.

By ensuring that cargo is treated and transported within a sterile environment, it bypasses quarantine checks upon arrival and moves directly to the destination staging facility for unloading and further distribution, thus streamlining the delivery process and meeting BMSB compliance standards.

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Air freight surges as supply chains feel the pressure

Oct 2, 2024 | , , , , ,

The air freight sector, which is already experiencing a demand spike in many regions, is anticipating another surge as the strikes at US East and Gulf Coast ports are likely to fuel even more demand on the time-sensitive mode.

With more than half of US containerised volumes moving through East and Gulf Coast ports the strikes will quickly have a profound impact on trade, especially with the peak holiday season approaching. The industrial action is expected to cause significant delays and backlogs, with each day of the strike potentially adding 5–10 days of cargo build-up.

As a result, many businesses will be reassessing their logistics strategies and opting for air freight to avoid the uncertainty of ocean shipping. This shift will put additional pressure on an already strained air freight market, with capacity tightening and rates rising.

Air cargo rates on routes from Asia to the US and Europe have already risen, as robust demand for eCommerce and traditional cargo has lifted load factors to almost 90% in September, with demand expected to strengthen further ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

As air freight capacity is being redirected by carriers from less profitable trade lanes, such as South America and India, to the more lucrative trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe routes, businesses on these secondary routes are finding it increasingly difficult to secure space for their shipments.

This trend is mirrored across other key Asian markets, with Japan, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia also seeing sharp increases in air freight prices, driven by typhoon-related disruptions and ongoing strong demand.

Rates from Bangladesh to Europe and the US have risen dramatically, with prices to the US more than three times higher than the same period last year. The political unrest and logistics disruptions in Bangladesh, a key textile export nation, have further limited capacity and pushed up rates.

Q4 peak season set to intensify pressure
Massive eCommerce volumes from Asia are already tying up to 150 freighters per day and with volumes forecast to surge, conventional shippers, including those in retail and automotive, may struggle to secure the space they need for their shipments.

Our block space agreements (BSA) and capacity purchase agreements (CPA)  protect space and capacity on the busiest routes, so share your shipping forecasts and we will fly your cargo at the best rates.

Regardless of your cargo type, size and requirements, we have extremely competitive rate and service combinations, to meet every deadline and budget.

EMAIL Elliot Carlile, Operations Director, for insights, prices and advice on our airfreight, charter and sea/air solutions. 

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Stricter air cargo security measures in response to rising threats

Sep 17, 2024 | , , , , , , ,

The US and Canada have introduced new security measures aimed at addressing the potential risks posed by incendiary devices found in European parcel networks.

Recent incidents, including a fire at a logistics hub in Leipzig originating from a Baltic package, have heightened awareness of potential threats to global supply chains, with reports suggesting possible interference by Russian actors.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Transport Canada have implemented stricter security protocols, adding layers of scrutiny to air cargo entering their respective countries. 

These measures, introduced in August and early September, focus on cargo originating from Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Central Asia. Air carriers must now provide more detailed information on shippers and consignees to mitigate risks.

Transport Canada’s new rules require that cargo from 55 European and Central Asian countries must come from shippers with an “established business relationship” with freight forwarders or air carriers.

Air Canada Cargo, in line with these measures, has mandated specific messaging on air waybills to confirm the relationship between shippers and their logistics partners. To meet the security standards, shippers must have maintained an active account for at least 90 days, with a minimum of six shipments during that period.

Similarly, the US has introduced “Enhanced ACAS Security Filing,” requiring additional data on the shippers of all goods entering the country. This enhanced scrutiny aims to better identify parties involved in the supply chain before cargo is loaded onto US-bound aircraft. As part of these emergency measures, air carriers can only transport cargo from Europe and CIS countries if it has been tendered by a “Known Consignor” or a shipper with an established business relationship with a regulated agent or carrier.

These new regulations have not come without challenges. Several carriers, including Korean Air Cargo, have imposed temporary embargoes on cargo originating from Europe and the CIS regions due to the difficulties in meeting the updated requirements. The embargoes are set to remain in place until mid-November, with further assessments to follow as the new security rules settle into effect.

Metro’s air exports to North America continue to fly without issue, or delay. Inbound consignments are processed through customs and associated border agencies by our network partners in the US and Canada.

EMAIL Elliot Carlile, Operations Director, for insights, prices and advice. 

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