Queensland exporters know better than most that global trade is no longer a predictable, linear process. One month brings new market opportunities; the next brings regulatory changes, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions that ripple across entire industries. In the current environment, exporters value efficiency, but they need clarity and certainty.
Digital platforms have made it easier than ever to process documentation, lodge Certificates of Origin and access basic trade information. But as global conditions shift, many Queensland businesses are discovering that automation alone can’t provide the clarity, interpretation and reassurance they need to make confident export decisions.
There’s no question that digital tools have improved efficiency. Exporters can generate documentation, lodge forms, and access trade portals at any hour of the day. For straightforward transactions, this is a welcome change.
But exporting is rarely straightforward.
Queensland businesses are navigating shifting geopolitical relationships, new and evolving Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), heightened compliance scrutiny, supply chain disruptions, changing Rules of Origin, and new market access requirements.
These aren’t issues a portal can interpret. They require judgement, context, and experience – qualities that only come from people who work in international trade every day.
Speed is valuable. Confidence is essential.
When a shipment is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, exporters don’t just want to click “submit”. They want to know:
- Is my Certificate of Origin correct?
- Will my shipment be delayed at the border, or on hold incurring additional cost?
- Am I taking advantage of the right FTA benefits?
That’s why exporters increasingly seek expert support. They want the assurance that comes from speaking with someone who understands the nuances of global trade and can talk them through the challenges and opportunities.
The rise of DIY exporting has created new risks
As more exporters adopt self‑serve digital tools, a new challenge has emerged: the risk of small errors leading to big consequences.
A minor documentation mistake can trigger:
- Costly delays at foreign ports,
- penalties or rejections,
- loss of FTA benefits,
- damaged customer relationships, and
- reputational harm in competitive markets.
These risks are amplified for SMEs as many don’t have in‑house trade expertise to navigate complex export markets and changing FTA and Rules of Origin requirements. They also tend not to have the cash flow to withstand delayed shipments or a loss of FTA benefits, resulting in full duties payable at destination.
The competitive advantage of human expertise: How Business Chamber Queensland can help
Our International Trade team has over 55 years of combined experience with issuing preferential and non-preferential Certificates of Origin for over 2,000 Queensland businesses exporting to 147 countries. They have also developed training to support exporters with navigating 12 of Australia’s key FTAs.
Every day, they support Queensland exporters by:
- Issuing export documents including Certificates of Origin,
- delivering FTA advice, support and education,
- maximising tariff savings,
- responding quickly to regulatory changes,
- assisting with ATA carnets, and
- helping regional businesses with skills shortages as a Regional Certifying Body.
If exporters face a risk of rejection at destination, they can pick up the phone and contact our Queensland-based team who can communicate in 8 languages and benefit from years of established processes with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Department of Foreign Affairs to resolve issues wherever possible.
When it comes to international trade, human expertise is increasingly valuable in a volatile global export market. Exporters who combine technological efficiency with expert guidance are best positioned avoid compliance challenges and costly delays.
