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AFIF MONTHLY MEMBERS SUMMARY BULLETIN - CHRISTMAS ISSUE
CUSTOMS
CMR
We hope that all of our members took the opportunity to attend the customs high level ICS Import Awareness Sessions conducted in November and December. These were designed to give business owners and managers an understanding of the changes that will be implemented in mid 2005 when the final phase of ICS implementation comes online. As you would be aware AFIF, together with the CBFCA and Customs, will be combining to provide industry operator training commencing February, 2005 in every state. This training will be fully funded by the Tradegate Development Fund and free to all members. The schedule will be released in the near future.
The ATO is making
changes to the requirements for the export of excisable products (alcohol,
tobacco and petroleum products). As from 30th December, 2004
you will be required to obtain an export movement permission from the tax
office before customs can process your export entry and issue a customs
authority number (CAN). Also you must have a valid export movement
permission before you can take delivery of the under bond excisable
product intended for export. For more information contact the tax office
on Customs Sydney Move to New Building As many of you would now be aware, Customs in Sydney now have a new home: in the twelve storey complex built within the international car park at Sydney Airport. Features of the new building include enhanced security (!) and greater centralisation of various activities. Visitor car parking is limited and following complaints from industry regarding the cost of car parking, customs have had discussions with Sydney Airport who have at last agreed to cap the maximum parking fee at $12.00. (How generous !!) Meanwhile SACL will move to the old customs ‘blue building’ in Link Road. AIRFREIGHTNew Qantas ID Requirements In early December Qantas issued a notice regarding their new ID requirements and AFIF have provided further clarification after discussion with Qantas (click here to view). In simple terms if you are the authorised agent of the consignee or, if as a forwarders you are the consignee and Qantas have a record on file as to who would collect the cargo, then their would be no individual requirement each time cargo is collected. For one-off alteration to these arrangement a letter may be required and the individual’s photographic ID will be checked. Menzies CTO Menzies have begun to implement many of the new procedures and systems as reported in the previous bulletin and Menzies have kept in regular contact with AFIF as to developments. We would appreciate any feedback as to your opinion of the success of these measures and any comments you may have. Qantas Terminal Charges We have been advised that Qantas CTO are planning to increase their terminal charges in the near future, as they claim there have been no increases in over two years. No doubt we will receive, at the same time, information as to how service will improve to warrant the increase in charges !! Discussions in this matter will commence when we are informed officially of this intent Cargo Security Changes As advised in AFIF bulletin of December 06th , the government’s long awaited announcement on changes to both the domestic and international cargo security legislation were announced. The most immediate change is that those forwarders who are also involved in domestic airfreight operations will need to notify the government and prepare a plan in a prescribed format as to how security is provided in this area. For current regulated agents in international cargo, there will be a two year moratorium during which time new plans will need to be submitted to government for approval in line with guidance provided by DOTARS. AFIF is closely working with the government to fine tune these requirements and most importantly ways to reduce the cost and time impost for our industry. Click here to view notice http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/news/Dec04_InternationalCargoTransportSecurity.htmIATA DG Signatory Change IATA have made changes to their 2005 regulations which include lifting the restriction that only the shipper of dangerous goods can sign the shippers declaration of dangerous goods document. This has never been a CASA Australia requirement, however the change technically permitting a forwarder or airline to act on behalf of the shipper may expose these parties to liabilities in the event of an incident or accident. AFIF recommend and will reinforce this through our training, that only persons who have knowledge of the contents of the dangerous goods consignment should sign this document ! Link Road, Sydney Airport Traffic Movements We would be very interested to hear from members of their impressions when changes to Link Road parking and traffic movements are implemented. Some of the changes will include more parking within Qantas facility but less street parking for trucks. USFAA Ban Lithium Battery Shipments on Passenger Aircraft With effect from December 29th , the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has announced a ban of cargo shipments of non rechargeable lithium batteries aboard passenger flights. It is possible that these batteries can pose fire hazard when transported in the cargo hold of the passenger aircraft. Airline passengers will however still be allowed to carry on-board and use, or pack in checked bags, personal computers and other consumer products that contain these lithium batteries. The ban will apply to all US carrier flights and those of foreign carriers to or from USA. They are currently working on testing the safety of cargo shipments of other types of batteries, such as rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to determine if further bans are required. Please refer to the following link to read the full documentation and we ask you to advise all your clients that may be effected by this decision. Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Shipments Banned on Passenger
Aircraft http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/government/HM-224E IFR.pdf Flammability Assessment of Bulk-Packed,
Nonrechargeable Lithium Primary Batteries in Transport Category
Aircraft SEAFREIGHT Container X-ray and Examination Despite customs senior level announcement that they have done all possible to encourage the stevedores to extend free period where containers are unduly delayed at the CEF, AFIF had to continue to vigorously pursue this matter with the Minister for Customs, port user groups, seafreight councils and the stevedores themselves. We will continue to make representation on this issue and progress has been made. The parties involved have recognised that the shortcomings need to be addressed.Productivity Commission Review of Part X Further to previous advice, AFIF attended the public hearing in Melbourne on December 6th and made representation to the Commission expressing the view that discussion agreements and shipping line ‘conferences’ should be modified but not removed. There are benefits such as capacity sharing, however the industry cannot tolerate the dramatic fluctuation price hikes on one side and rock-bottom rates on the other. In our supplementary submission we will express the need for further control, but not removal of, exemptions to discussion groups under Part X (10) of the Trade Practices Act. P&O and Patricks Christmas / New Year Holiday Working Arrangements P&O and Patricks have announced their Christmas and New Year holiday working arrangements. Most importantly Patricks have announced that Monday and Tuesday, December 27 / 28 will be normal working days. This means that these days will form part of the three day free storage. P&O have announced that these days will be worked on demand. We are not quite sure on who’s demand ! More info to follow as it comes to hand. Victorian Government Announcement on Ports Agenda Please find attached an announcement by the Victorian Government and Mr. Peter Bachelor, Minister for Transport, which includes the plan to develop Hastings as a secondary port to alleviate the pressure on Melbourne Port. In addition the government plan to finish the channel deepening of Melbourne Port by 2007. Please click here to view http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/news/Dec04_PortsAgenda2004Breakfast.pdf AQIS The Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme (AWPCS) Please refer to the following link to view a copy of the Australian Wood packaging Scheme for Exports (AWPCS). This relates to Australia's compliance with the Intl Standards for Phytosanitary Measures - Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging in International Trade (ISPM 15). This standard aims to significantly lessen the risk of unprocessed raw wood being used as a pathway for the introduction and the spread of pests and diseases through international trade. Click here to view http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/government/Dec04_AWPCSDecember2004V1.pdf E - COMMERCE 1-STOP Linked on AFIF Website If you need to view the latest information from 1-Stop (especially if you are sending ‘PRAs’), you can access information via the AFIF front page by clicking on the 1-Stop logo. Go to: www.afif.asn.au GENERAL ISSUES Australia – United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) The AUSFTA will come into force on 1st January 2005. Preferential rates of customs duty will apply to goods eligible under the FTA. Whilst most items will be duty free, the actual rate and the specific eligibility criteria will be determined by the customs classification of the goods being imported. AFIF would like to caution its members that there are complexities in this agreement and each item may be treated differently. Please refer to attached general notice on this issue http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/government/Dec04_AFIFBulletinAUSFTA.pdf Australia – Thailand Free Trade The Thailand / Australia free Trade agreement is due to receive Royal Assent and will become effective on January 1, 2005. As with the USFTA, reciprocal preferential rates of customs duty will apply. While most items will be free of duty from 1 January, the actual rate applicable is determined by the Customs classification of the goods being imported. Please click here to read more: (insert link) http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/government/Dec04_BulletinTAFTA.pdf Important Notice – AFIF Office Closes for Christmas / New Year The offices of AFIF will be closed for the Christmas / New year period from Wednesday, 22nd December 2004 and will reopen on Tuesday, 4th January 2005. Agency Cooperation We are also holding details of other overseas agents wishing to set-up cooperative arrangements. If you are looking just send an email to afif@afif.asn.au with details of the country of interest. We may be able to assist !! We are now taking orders for 2005 IATA Publications To order any IATA publication, including: DG Regulations Manuals & CD's; Perishable Handling Manuals; Live Animals etc, etc. Please go to our website where you can view, order and pay on-line for any of the extensive range of manuals. Orders will be delivered from late November on. Click here to go to the relevant webpage: http://www.afif.asn.au/products_iata.asp Accommodation & Travel Please click here to go to the relevant information at our Website: http://www.afif.asn.au/news_travelhotels.asp Check out the AFIF Website for Latest Industry Info ! Just a reminder that our website is updated daily, with new items added to our front page and archived in relevant News Folder. So please check for the latest info regularly !
AFIF 2005 Takes Shape Planning for the next AFIF conference is progressing well and the program content is just about complete. Sponsorship of the event has already exceeded last year, again allowing us to present a celebrity opening speaker and continuation of first class food and entertainment. We encourage you to consider bringing your families to the area for a well earned holiday ! The conference will be held at the beautiful Novotel Palm Cove Resort, north of Cairns. The dates of the conference are May 18 – 20. Please visit the AFIF 2005 conference website link for full preliminary information and pictures of the venue, etc. http://www.afif.asn.au/events_afif2005.asp Shipping Industry Charity Ball – December 4th , Sydney A great night was enjoyed by all, with proceeds exceeding $25,000 !! Congratulations to everyone who supported the event. Your contribution will help to continue the vital work being performed every day at the Westmead Children’s Hospital.
The 2005 Training Schedule is NOW on our website and available for course bookings. If you are interested in finding out more about our courses or to register, please visit www.afif.asn.au. NOTE RE CANCELATION OF COURSES Our members sometimes ask why we have to cancel courses and very often it is because at the last moment some of the students are not able to attend. In some circumstances this can seriously effect the viability of running a particular course. We always endeavour to run a course, even with say two or three people, however this is not always possible. Whilst we fully appreciate that there will always be circumstances where cancellations are required (sickness, short staff, unplanned extreme workload, etc), however we would greatly appreciate the support of all of our members to ensure that wherever possible, staff do attend the training course as booked. This will assist greatly in ensuring that your fellow colleagues in the industry do not suffer because their course is cancelled. Many thanks. TRAINING BOOKING TIP! Did you know that you can also transfer and cancel participants on course bookings on-line and receive immediate confirmation! Just select either the Cancel or Amend button on the website in "Training".January & February
2005
For immediate confirmation, book all your AFIF training on-line via our website at www.afif.asn.au For any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Simone Platt the Training Administrator at training@afif.asn.au AFIF reserves the right to cancel courses and/or alter course dates in order to suit demand. Those who would be affected by cancellation or course date changes will be entitled to a full refund or a position on the next available course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
