Environmental regulation is no longer abstract policy — it is now appearing directly on Australian freight invoices.
Australian exporters shipping to Europe are seeing new carbon-related surcharges added to ocean freight, often separated from base rates and adjusted regularly. These charges are not negotiable in the traditional sense and are increasingly passed through automatically.
Australian importers are not immune either. Carriers are spreading environmental compliance costs across broader networks, meaning:
- New “green” or emissions-related surcharges appear even on Asia–Pacific trades
- Fuel and regulatory cost lines fluctuate more frequently
- Long-term freight budgeting becomes harder to lock down
For Australian exporters of low-margin commodities — grain, hay, timber, scrap, and recycled materials — the impact is magnified. Carbon costs are typically charged per container, not based on cargo value, eroding margins quickly.
The shift also brings a new expectation: data transparency. Overseas buyers are increasingly asking Australian exporters for shipment-level emissions information as part of procurement and compliance processes.
Carbon is no longer a future consideration. For Australian importers and exporters, it is now a cost, a compliance issue, and a commercial risk.
Source: European Commission maritime ETS guidance; carrier sustainability surcharge notices; FIATA compliance briefings.
Disclaimer – Market data is from public sources we consider reliable but has not been independently verified; accuracy is not guaranteed