News

Republished 1 July 2025, initially published 9 October 2024

On 4 September 2024, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a nationwide rejection of vague cargo descriptions in Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) for any freight arriving or transiting in the US.

The new policy took effect from 12pm (USA EST) on 12 November 2024.

ACAS files now need to include more detailed cargo descriptions. Any non-compliant, vague descriptors will be rejected and freight will not be loaded at origin until the cargo descriptions have been amended to be compliant. The customer is liable for any fines imposed by CBP for non compliant ACAS files.

Please note that if a hold is placed on one HAWB, the entire MAWB will not be uplifted. If a MAWB/HAWB is co-loaded on a ULD with other MAWBs, the entire ULD will be held from uplift.

Visit the US CBP for more information about acceptable descriptions and Cargo Systems Messaging Service rejection messages. 

Published 16 June 2025

Qantas Freight will commence new direct A332P2F freighter services between Sydney and Shanghai on 26 June 2025. The twice-weekly services depart on Thursdays and Saturdays, which will mark the first time regular Qantas A330 freighter flights will operate between these two major cargo hubs providing increased capacity for Australian exporters to access China’s busiest cargo port. Flights have been timed to enable connections from other Australian ports providing more opportunities for Australian producers across the country to uplift their goods onto our international freighter services.  

View weekly schedules here.

Watch our A330 pilot Alex take you behind the scenes of Qantas Freight’s new direct Sydney to Shanghai service here.

Published 2 June 2025

Replacement air conditioning works will be taking place at our Melbourne Domestic Terminal from 4 June 2025 and are expected to continue for approximately two months. During this period, customer parking in the landside compound will be limited, and minor delays to freight acceptance and delivery may occur.

From 4 June 2025:

• Replacement of air conditioning units will begin
• Landside compound parking will be limited for up to two months
• Main customer car park remains unaffected during this time
• Traffic management will be in place during works

On 29 July 2025:

• Main customer car park will be temporarily unavailable due to on-site crane activity
• Landside compound parking will return to full capacity and will be available for customer use

We will update our website as the works progress.

Published 9 April 2025

We have been informed that pets and animals travelling to the US are not exempt from the new tariffs which take effect from 5 April 2025. We recommend pet and animal specialists liaise directly with their US-based customs brokers or pet agents for further advice on duties and tariffs. We will provide updates when more information is available.

Published 1 April 2025

Effective from 1 April 2025, Transport Canada (TC) will implement their Pre-load Air Cargo Targeting (PACT) program.

Like other Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) programs such as in the US and in Europe, this regulation mandates data reporting prior to departure from the last overseas port before arrival into Canada for all shipments travelling by air to/through Canada originating from a non-Canadian port.

To comply with this reporting regulation, Qantas Freight has developed the required integration to automatically transmit the industry data to TC for PACT filing.

Freight Forwarders must provide the required information listed below for 100% compliance. Insufficient, incomplete or poor data quality within the required PACT data elements may result in shipment rejection by TC resulting in delays. Any breach in non-compliance to this regulation may result in punitive damages issued by TC.

Following data elements for MAWB & HAWB are mandatory which all must be correct and concise:

• Air waybill number
• Original shipper name
• Original shipper address
• Consignee name
• Consignee address
• Cargo description
• Total number of pieces (piece count)
• Total weight of the cargo

Freight forwarders may apply to Qantas if interested in sending data directly to TC PACT. If approved, the authorised forwarder will be included in our TC PACT registration. Until approval is confirmed, all data including HAWB must be supplied to Qantas via normal messaging channels prior to lodgement so filing can be completed. Contact your Account Manager for more details.

For more information, visit Canada PACT program and PACT implementation guide. 

Published 18 December 2024

We have received advice from the Department of Home Affairs, Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre (CISC) regarding non-compliant cargo description fields in Air Waybills (AWB) and Cargo Security Declaration (CSD).

View this important summary for more information on how to ensure your descriptors comply with the relevant legislation.

Published 15 November 2024

Effective from 17 November 2024, international Terminal Service Fee invoices will be released every Sunday. The weekly invoice cycle, which is from Sunday to Saturday, will remain unchanged and invoice payment terms will continue to be specified on the invoice.

Published 4 November 2024

Due to changes in security requirements, effective 1 November 2024, a temporary embargo is in place for all air freight destined for, or transiting via, any port in USA if the shipment originates in Dili, Noumea or Port Moresby and is transiting via Australia. The embargo applies to uplift on all Qantas or Jetstar services. 

Published 30 September 2024

The Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA) has advised that new quarantine requirements will be effective from 1 October 2024 for selected shipments into Indonesia. Exports of animal and animal products (including meat and meat products), fish and fish products, and plant and plant products must submit notification of shipment into Indonesia prior to uplift. We recommend exporters contact their local representative in Indonesia for further information.

Published 26 September 2024

The Australian Government has mandated temporary restrictions on all airlines operating to Australia, for certain items originating in 55 European countries, including at all tranship locations. These restrictions are effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. 

Restrictions
The following shipments must not be accepted for uplift on Qantas Group aircraft and are prohibited from entry into Australia: 

• Cargo weighing more than 500g booked by an unknown shipper.
• Unless tendered by a Known Consignor, shipments that contain liquids, aerosols or gels and are packaged in the same consignment as battery-operated, electrical or electronic items, batteries, or analogue or electronic devices.

List of European countries

If you have any questions or require further clarification, please contact your local Qantas UK/Europe sales representative.

*International flights remain subject to government and regulatory approval.
#Seasonal flights.