Currency movements are an important part of international trade, particularly for Australian businesses buying or selling goods overseas.
The Australian dollar has seen continued movement against the US dollar in recent months. As many international freight rates and shipping surcharges are quoted in US dollars, exchange-rate movements can directly influence freight costs and overall landed costs for Australian importers and exporters.
For importers, a stronger Australian dollar can provide an opportunity to reduce the AUD cost of USD-denominated goods and freight. This can be particularly valuable for SMEs importing regularly or purchasing larger volumes from overseas suppliers.
For exporters, currency movements can also influence international competitiveness and should be considered when negotiating prices and planning future shipments.
The key is to look beyond the ocean freight rate. Businesses should consider the exchange rate together with freight, local charges, transport and other costs to understand the complete shipment cost.
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Source: Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) – Exchange Rates, September 2026.
Disclaimer – Market data is from public sources we consider reliable but has not been independently verified; accuracy is not guaranteed