If you are importing goods from Europe, here is something worth paying close attention to right now.
Bookings departing Europe are converging on the first week of December 2026. That means a significant volume of cargo is set to arrive in Australia at the same time, and for importers expecting those shipments, the timing creates both a planning opportunity and a risk if you are not prepared.
At plane 2 sea, we are already working with clients to get ahead of this.
Here is what you need to know.
WHY ARE SO MANY SHIPMENTS ARRIVING AT THE SAME TIME?
The concentration of European bookings arriving in early December is not unusual for this time of year. Several factors drive it simultaneously.
The lead-up to the Christmas and New Year period creates a natural surge in freight activity as businesses rush to receive stock before the holiday slowdown. European suppliers and manufacturers work to clear orders before their own end-of-year shutdowns. And transit times from Europe to Australia, which typically run between 6 and 8 weeks depending on the routing and service, mean that cargo booked now is arriving right in that first December window.
Add to this the ongoing disruption from alternative routing via the Cape of Good Hope rather than Suez, which has added further time to sailing schedules on the Europe-Australia trade lane, and you have a situation where vessel schedules, cargo volumes, and holiday timing are all converging at once.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR DECEMBER SHIPMENTS
Port congestion at origin.
European ports are still working through the backlog that built up during the summer holiday period. As factories and logistics operations return to full capacity after August, freight volumes surge quickly. This creates congestion at origin ports before your cargo even begins its journey to Australia, which can affect receival cut-offs, vessel loading schedules, and your confirmed ETDs.
BMSB compliance adding processing time at origin.
As we covered in our recent newsletters, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug seasonal measure is currently in full effect until 30 April 2027. For cargo originating from or transiting through high-risk European countries, fumigation treatment must be completed by an approved provider before goods can ship to Australia. This adds processing time at origin that needs to be factored into your timeline well before your cargo is ready to load. If BMSB compliance has not been arranged for your European shipments, now is the time to address it.
Port congestion and delays on arrival.
When a high volume of vessels arrives in Australian ports at the same time, terminal congestion increases. Container availability tightens. Truck bookings for delivery become harder to secure. What looks like a first-week-of-December arrival on paper can easily become a second or third week delivery once port processing and inland transport are factored in.
Customs processing times.
The Australian Border Force and customs brokers handle significantly higher volumes in the lead-up to Christmas. Processing times can extend, particularly for shipments that require additional documentation checks or have any compliance issues that need resolution.
Limited flexibility if something goes wrong.
Early December leaves very little buffer before Christmas. If your cargo experiences a delay at port, a customs query, or a documentation issue, there may not be enough time to resolve it before the holiday period begins and your warehouse or operations team breaks for Christmas.
Warehouse and delivery windows.
Many Australian warehouses and distribution centres operate on reduced capacity or impose cut-off dates for inbound freight in the weeks before Christmas. If your cargo arrives in the first week of December but your warehouse cannot receive it until mid-December, storage costs can accumulate quickly.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING RIGHT NOW
Confirm your ETAs with your freight forwarder.
If you have shipments booked from Europe, get a clear picture of your expected arrival dates now. Do not rely on the booking confirmation alone. Vessel schedules on the Europe-Australia trade lane are subject to change, and an updated ETA now gives you time to plan.
Check your BMSB compliance status.
If your cargo is coming from any of the high-risk European countries listed under the current BMSB seasonal measure, confirm that fumigation treatment has been arranged with an approved provider before your goods are loaded. This is not something that can be sorted after your cargo ships. If you are unsure whether your shipment is affected, speak to our team and we will check it for you.
Review your customs documentation early.
Make sure all your import documentation is complete, accurate, and ready before your cargo arrives. Any gaps or errors that need to be resolved can cost you days you cannot afford in early December.
Book your delivery and warehouse slots now.
Do not wait until your cargo clears customs to organise delivery. Truck bookings and warehouse inbound slots fill up fast in December. Secure them now based on your expected arrival window.
Communicate with your customers.
If you have clients or internal teams waiting on these shipments, set expectations now. A heads up about potential December congestion is far better than a last-minute conversation about delayed stock.
Talk to your freight forwarder about contingency options.
If your December delivery is critical and cannot afford delays, discuss with your freight forwarder what options exist if something does not go to plan. Are there alternative routings? Can anything be airfreighted if timing becomes critical? Knowing your options in advance is always better than finding out when you need them.
HOW plane 2 sea IS SUPPORTING CLIENTS THROUGH THIS PERIOD
At plane 2 sea, we are already working closely with clients who have European bookings arriving in December to make sure they are as prepared as possible.
That means proactive updates on vessel schedules and ETAs as they change, early BMSB compliance checks and coordination with approved treatment providers where required, early customs lodgement to avoid processing delays, coordination with delivery and warehouse partners to secure slots ahead of the peak period, and clear communication every step of the way so our clients are never left guessing.
If you have shipments arriving from Europe in December and you want to make sure everything is in order, get in touch with our team now. The earlier we can review your bookings and documentation, the better positioned you will be heading into the holiday period.
Phone : (02) 9525 9922
Email : carolina@plane2sea.com.au
Website : www.plane2sea.com.au
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