As per bulletin of Friday March 11^th, AFIF and CBFCA will be providing industry comment to the customs information and training sessions commencing in April through to July. It is vital that you attend these sessions to understand all the changes and new requirements and also to hear from industry experts as to how these will effect you. These sessions will be conducted free of charge and industry development and delivery component has been funded through the Tradegate Development Trust Fund. Please click here to view the previous bulletin.   

http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/news/March2005_Customsannounce_dates_CMR.htm

AIRFREIGHT

Dangerous Goods Declarations for Airfreight
Whilst there is no IATA restriction on the forwarder signing this in place of the actual shipper, we would like to quote FIATA recommendation on this aspect.

FIATA have further advised that if however, you do sign the shippers’ declaration, you should contact your insurer and obtain approval in writing as under normal circumstances this risk is not covered by contracted liability insurance.

IATA drops amendment to Res 502 - the density rule !
Following agreement at the annual IATA Cargo Week, in Lisbon, IATA have resolved to remove the request to amend the current standard density conversion rate of 6000cc = 1kg down to 5000cc which had been filed with various Governments around the World.    Read the full article. Click here.

International Air Cargo Security
As you would all be aware, new regulations came into effect as of March 10^th , whereupon any domestic cargo movements would also be covered under Air Cargo Security Legislation. For those of you who are currently regulated agents under the International Air Cargo Security Legislation you would have been required to advise the DOTARS of how you handle domestic cargo and keep this information with your current international plan. Within two years you will be required to submit a new plan to the Government covering international and domestic air cargo security. AFIF will assist our members with the development of new programs, in order to meet the outcome based requirement of the new legislation. We will keep you posted about developments in this area, in the meantime, unless you have developed and lodged a separate International Program plan with the DOTARS,  then you can still undertake the current training provided by AFIF. Please click here to view important new information about our security training

eBusiness Tip from Ezycargo – FWB messages
A reminder to all Forwarders sending their FWB’s to CTO’s & airlines automatically from their host system. Please ensure you monitor your response messages to ensure a clean receipt of the FWB message. Should you see any FNA (rejection) messages appear, it is important that these be investigated to ensure your data flows successfully. For further information or assistance, please contact Ezycargo Customer Support on 1300 88 73 71.  

IATA Addendum to 46^th Edition
IATA have sent an Update (Addendum) to the 46th Edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations Manual (DGR). AFIF will be sending a copy of this by email to everyone who has ordered a DG Manual from AFIF.  If you wish to view details regarding this update please visit our website, under Products. Click here to view:  http://www.afif.asn.au/products_IATADG.asp

• mark.taylor@customs.gov.au
• john.allen@customs.gov.au

New Study into Landside Infrastructure Capability
The Seafreight Council of NSW have commissioned a study into Landside Infrastructure Capability for International Containers. The outcome is to enhance industry and government understanding of the key freight supply chain / infrastructure environment expected to cope with future demands and facilitate timely decisions to optimise efficiency throughout the chain. Click here to view the terms of reference for the study http://wwwafif.asn.au/pdf/news/March2004_amended.pdf

GENERAL ISSUES

Dutch University Graduates Seek Employment
We have been contacted by the University of Arnhem – Nijmegen, in the Netherlands asking if we can notify our membership that first class university graduates are willing to come to Australia to work in freight forwarding positions, for short or long term period. If you are interested in finding out more about these opportunities would you please contact AFIF Secretariat and we will forward details to you.

AFIF Charity Golf Day in Aid of Tsunami Appeal
On February 8^th a very successful charity event was held at the Kogarah Golf Club in Sydney, where 140 golfers in 35 teams sweltered in the hottest February day for 10 years in Sydney ! It was all worthwhile as, at the time of going to print, we envisage donating in excess of $38,000.00 to the UNHCR in aid of relief for the victims of the Tsunami tragedy. The hon. Tim Fischer former Deputy PM and Minister for Trade who is now Chair of Tourism Australia, opened the event and Ian Chappell former Australian cricketer and now channel 9 commentator, who is also a special representative for the UNHCR charity, assisted with the prize giving and the charity auction that followed. A sincere thanks to all the participants, their companies and the sponsors and the persons who purchased auction items, for their great support and generosity ! We intend to continue the AFIF charity golf day as an annual event, the beneficiary will be chosen by a committee at the time. Please click here to view some of the pictures from the after golf function. http://www.afif.asn.au/events_afifgolfday05_photo.asp

UNHCR Offer Corporate Partnerships
The beneficiary for the AFIF Charity Golf Day was UNHCR and they have given us details as to opportunities for industry partnerships. Please click here to view more details of how you can become involved. http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/news/Mar05_UNHCRIntroCompanyPartner.pdf

Members Cargo Insurance Program Proves Popular
The Cargo Insurance Program allowing members to continue to provide transit insurance for customers cargo has proved to be a convenient and popular solution. The insurer has gathered some testimonials and if you wish to provide this service to your members you might care to see what others think. Please click here to view http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/AFIFCargoInsurance.pdf

Agency Cooperation
We are holding details of 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 !!

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 Conference – Palm Cove, Cairns May 18 -20
Full details of the next AFIF conference, to be held at the Novotel Palm Cove Resort north of Cairns, have been posted to the AFIF website under a separate conference web page. Please click here to view full information including registration online. http://www.afif.asn.au/events_afif2005.asp   You might already have received the stunning glossy brochure which also details the program and full information regarding the activities and facilities. If not,  you can also view / download a PDF of the Brochure from the website.  We urge you to attend as this could be the best ever !