​The Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) program has welcomed 16 newly accredited businesses, including AGRIFresh, Romel International and Vesco Foods.

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood, acknowledged how exciting it is to see ATT continuing to grow at a quick pace. These new Trusted Traders join the likes of Kmart, Apple, Pandora and IKEA.

"The number of business applying for ATT continues to climb at a steady rate. We now have 488 Trusted Traders and 205 business currently undergoing assessment," said Assistant Minister Wood.

"The current Trusted Traders represent more than $85.9 billion of two-way trade."

"Working in partnership with Trusted Traders allows the Australian Border Force (ABF) to develop a better understanding of how secure and compliant businesses undertake international trade."

"This means the ABF can focus their efforts on targeting high-risk, unknown or illegitimate traders, helping to keep Australia safe."

Key trade facilitation benefits of ATT include access to an ABF account manager and priority treatment at the border.

Trusted Traders also have access to eight Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs), streamlining the clearance of goods at the border with Canada, the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Japan,  the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

"These MRA arrangements provide Trusted Traders with unprecedented access to trade facilitation benefits, increasing their access to global markets," Assistant Minister Wood said.

"MRAs are estimated to save industry $2.8 billion with negotiations underway with a number of our key trading for future MRAs partners."

In order to access the benefits of the program you must be a Trusted Trader. Businesses who are not yet accredited are encouraged to apply by visiting www.abf.gov.au/trustedtrader