Government Changes to Credit Card Surcharging

Recent changes to government payment processing arrangements have resulted in government agencies no longer being permitted to recover credit card surcharge costs from customers. As a consequence, a number of government bodies have suspended the acceptance of credit card payments altogether.

In line with these changes, Stockwells will no longer be able to accept credit card payments for government charges, including:

Alternative payment methods remain available, and our team will continue to assist clients in ensuring funds are received in time to avoid clearance delays.

We encourage clients to review their payment arrangements and speak with their Stockwells representative if they require assistance identifying the most suitable payment option.

The regulatory environment surrounding international trade continues to become increasingly complex. Customs brokers, freight forwarders and importers are facing greater compliance obligations than ever before as government agencies increase scrutiny of supply chains and importer responsibilities. This includes ongoing requirements associated with:

These compliance activities occur behind the scenes on every shipment but require significant investment in systems, training, audits, security controls and specialist personnel to ensure cargo moves efficiently and in accordance with Australian regulations. As regulatory expectations continue to increase, so too does the administrative effort required to maintain compliance standards.

To assist in meeting these obligations and maintaining the high level of compliance and risk management our clients expect, Stockwells will introduce a Compliance Administration Charge of AUD $20.00 per shipment.

This charge will apply across all shipments effective from 12^th October.

The charge supports the ongoing investment required to maintain customs compliance, border security obligations, Australian Trusted Trader accreditation, technology improvements, staff training, audit programs and regulatory governance activities that help protect our clients from unnecessary delays, penalties and compliance risks.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to place significant pressure on global energy markets, driving international crude oil prices higher and contributing to increased fuel costs across Australia.

Recent disruptions to key global oil shipping routes and refining operations have resulted in a sharp rise in diesel prices nationwide, with some locations now approaching or exceeding $3.00 per litre. As a critical fuel source for transport, freight, and logistics operations, rising diesel costs are creating additional challenges throughout the supply chain.

Key Developments

• Global crude oil prices have surged amid ongoing conflict and uncertainty in the Middle East.
• Disruptions to major oil shipping routes have constrained supply and increased market volatility.
• Diesel prices across Australia have risen significantly, with some metropolitan areas recording prices close to or above $3.00 per litre.
• Freight, transport, and logistics providers are facing increased operating costs as a result of higher fuel prices.
• Continued volatility in global energy markets may result in further pressure on supply chains and transportation networks in the coming weeks.

What This Means for Supply Chains

The continued increase in diesel prices is expected to impact transport and distribution costs across the Australian supply chain. Businesses may experience increased freight-related expenses, longer lead times, and the introduction or adjustment of fuel-related surcharges as carriers work to manage rising operating costs.

While industry stakeholders and government representatives continue to monitor the situation closely, uncertainty surrounding global oil supply routes means market conditions may remain volatile for some time.

We encourage clients to plan ahead where possible and remain mindful of potential cost and service impacts as the situation develops.

Our team will continue to monitor market conditions and provide updates on any developments that may affect your freight and logistics requirements.

For further information, please contact your Stockwells representative.

We would like to advise of ongoing congestion and operational pressures impacting transhipment services through the Port of Singapore. These conditions are creating significant delays across regional and international supply chains, particularly for cargo requiring connecting vessel services.

Current Situation

• Asian container port congestion is currently absorbing approximately 8.5% of global fleet capacity.
• Cargo transhipping through Singapore is experiencing carrier wait times of up to four weeks.
• Cargo allocations are being managed on a First In, First Out (FIFO) basis.
• Regional feeder services are operating at or near maximum capacity, limiting available space for onward connections.

Key Contributing Factors

The current disruption is being driven by a combination of factors, including:

• Ongoing Red Sea diversions, requiring vessels to take longer routes around Africa.
• Vessel bunching, schedule disruptions, and port omissions caused by recent regional typhoon activity.
• High yard utilisation levels across major Southeast Asian transhipment terminals.

Recommended Actions

To help minimise the impact of these delays, we recommend customers consider the following:

Book Priority Space

• Where time-sensitive cargo is involved, consider securing premium carrier services or direct routing options where available.

Diversify Routing Options

• For non-urgent shipments, alternative regional transhipment hubs may provide more reliable transit times than Singapore.

Plan Inventory Requirements Early

• We recommend allowing an additional 3 to 4 weeks in inventory planning and estimated arrival timeframes to account for ongoing congestion.

Looking Ahead

While carriers and port operators continue to work through the backlog, delays are expected to persist in the short term. We encourage customers to plan shipments as far in advance as possible and remain flexible with delivery expectations.

Stockwells will continue to keep clients updated with any changes as we receive the information. 

Please be advised that the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China's most significant public holidays and may impact supply chain operations and international shipping schedules during this period.

As many businesses, factories, warehouses, and logistics providers across China reduce operations or temporarily close for the holiday, customers may experience disruptions to normal production and shipping timelines. The increase in freight demand before and immediately after the holiday can also place additional pressure on transport networks.

What to expect:

• Temporary business and factory closures across China.
• Reduced staffing levels at warehouses and logistics facilities.
• Delays to production, order processing, and shipment dispatch.
• Increased pressure on ports and transport networks.
• Potential congestion and schedule disruptions as operations resume following the holiday period.

Businesses are encouraged to plan ahead and allow additional lead times for shipments moving to and from China. Early booking of freight and proactive communication with suppliers can help minimise the impact of holiday-related disruptions.

Our team is closely monitoring carrier schedules and market conditions and will continue to provide updates as they become available. If you have upcoming shipments that may be affected, please contact your Stockwells representative to discuss the best options for your supply chain.

With China's Golden Week holiday running from 1 to 7 October, carriers would typically focus on filling vessels scheduled to depart during the holiday period, helping to maintain freight rates at mid-September levels.

This year, however, market conditions are markedly different. A combination of global and domestic factors has prompted carriers to pursue significant rate increases effective from 15 September. Adding to this, three blank sailings have been scheduled between 15 and 30 September. While unusual for this time of year, carriers view these cancellations as necessary to realign capacity with demand and restore schedule integrity.

Further influencing the market is the continued preference among carriers to deploy vessel capacity to higher-yielding trades, particularly the Middle East and South America, rather than Australia and New Zealand. As a result, capacity remains constrained, underpinning the firmer rate environment expected in the lead-up to and during the Golden Week period.

To minimise the risk of delays and increased freight costs, we strongly encourage customers to place orders as early as possible and ensure shipments are booked well in advance of the holiday period. If you have upcoming freight requirements or would like to discuss the best shipping options, please contact your Stockwells representative, who can assist with planning and securing capacity ahead of this peak season disruption.