Post by: Burnard Intl.

Port Check

Asia. The main ports in North & SE Asia are heavily booked with no space for the next 3-4 weeks. News of the cancellation of one JKN service (consisting of Cosco, OOCL, Maersk and ONE) in early November will concentrate bookings onto the remaining sailings, putting strain on subsequent vessel space. Please let our Customer Care team know of your order/forecast requirements as early as you can so we can secure space and find alternative solutions where possible.

Freight pricing remains relatively flat for the first time since March, with most carriers choosing to extend current rates.

Europe. European port congestion is being compounded by recent weather disruption and planned industrial action on 30 October. Customers with cargo booked through affected ports should check sailing status with their customer care representative before relying on original ETAs.

On 30 October, an industrial action is set to take place at over 100 ports across 17 countries including Europe, the Mediterranean and other regions such as Mexico and USA. The action seeks to prevent ports from being used for arms shipments and to oppose the movement of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to conflict zones.

The scale of disruption will depend on which unions participate and whether action involves full strikes, partial walkouts or demonstrations.

Transhipment ports of Singapore and Port Klang. Transhipment ports have eased a lot now in terms of space, with the odd missed connection due to late arrival of incoming vessels from previous port(s). However, for the most part, vessels are connecting on next available scheduled.

New Zealand Exports. Export capacity constraints from New Zealand have eased a little more. Some carriers continue to omit the odd port call in an effort to maintain vessel schedules. Securing space remains challenging the sailing following a port omission, but otherwise everything is behaving itself and on schedule.

Company Christmas Hours

As the festive season approaches, we kindly ask customers who use Burnard International for deliveries to advise us of your operating hours over the Christmas period. Providing this information will help to ensure your freight is delivered smoothly and without delay during this busy time.

Please download this document, and fill out before returning to katalina.pasa@burnard.co.nz

Burnard International will be open as usual during normal business hours of weekdays, 8am to 5pm. We will be closed during the four statutory days of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and the 2nd January.

Port of Auckland Price Increase

The Port of Auckland has announced updates to its pricing structure, with changes aimed at supporting operational improvements and maintaining an efficient balance of container and cargo flows through the port.

A 5% increase across the majority of tariff charges will take effect from 1 January 2027.

Please note that Burnard International will pass these increased costs on to customers accordingly.

India Free Trade Agreement Comes into Effect

The New Zealand India Free Trade Agreement came into effect on 20 Oct 2026, following its earlier signing in April. The agreement now moves from negotiation into implementation.

From day one, 57% of New Zealand’s exports to India have qualified for duty-free access, increasing to 82% once the agreement is fully implemented. A further 13% of exports will benefit from reduced tariffs, meaning 95% of current New Zealand exports to India will receive preferential treatment under the agreement. India has also committed to streamlining customs clearance, with standard cargo to be cleared within 48 hours of arrival and perishable goods within 24 hours.

New Zealand in return, have introduced two new Temporary Employment Entry visa categories for skilled Indian workers and iconic professions. The government has also eliminated tariffs on 8,284 Indian lines, including textiles, leather goods, pharma and engineering.

For businesses, the focus now shifts from understanding the agreement, to using the improved access commercially.

To understand your obligations to receiving or sending tariff free goods, please talk to one of our customs team members at Burnard.

For further information, refer to NZ Customs information release for New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement. Alternately refer to New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade.

Shipping Line Fuel Surcharges Rise as Ocean Freight Rates Remain Elevated

Recently you may have noticed an increase at the pump for fuel. Unfortunately, this also translates to an increase to shipping bunker fuel surcharges - BAF.

There are a number of factors contributing to this, primarily stemming from the US-Iran war and its subsequent impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. As crude oil prices rise sharply and the crack spread widens, the cost of refining fuel continues to increase, placing additional pressure on shipping line operating costs. These rising expenses are being passed on by shipping lines through higher BAF charges.

Shipping line freight charges have also remained abnormally high for this period of the year. Generally, prices ease and soften heading toward the remaining two months of the year as peak season demand starts to wane. However, this year is bucking the trend with little indication of a decrease in pricing at this stage.

Increase in X-ray examinations by Customs

Recently there has been an increase in X-ray examinations by NZ Customs on newly arriving containers. Last year saw a surge in illicit drugs crossing New Zealand borders during the Christmas holiday period, with this year already netting 43.9kg of methamphetamine seized from a Tauranga container during September.

Previously, a hold request was indicated when the container was customs cleared, and customs requested to X-ray the contents for examination before releasing. However, we are increasingly seeing requests for an X-ray examination after the container has been customs cleared (but before the container has been picked up off the port). This is not limited to FCL movements, but can also affect consolidations and LCL when the whole container is stopped.

Unfortunately, Burnard is unable to choose which containers are to be examined. This is chosen by NZ Customs at random and is outside our control. Customs do not have the ability to see which containers are urgent, so we ask that customers remain patient while an X-ray examination is organised and performed.

Additional costs incurred will be passed on to you should this occur.

Burnard Bulletin - October