Lufthansa will remove the War Risk Surcharge of 0.10 euros and reduce it’s Fuel Surcharge from Euros 0.20 to 0.15 , effective 21 April 2003. It  should be noted that Qantas have not moved to increase Fuel Surcharges in the last two rounds.

AIRLINE CREDIT PROCESSING

As previously advised, AFIF and IATA have reached agreement on a more equitable processing system for credits due to the Forwarder. Notices will be issued shortly through the CASS system, however all requests for credit that are accepted as correct will be processed within 28 days of receipt. This as you would surely agree is a vast improvement to the current situation where there is no time limit imposed on the airline to issue credits.

CUSTOMS X-RAY AND CARGO EXAMINATION FACILITY – SYDNEY

Following the commencement of operation of the Melbourne ‘CEF’ last November, Sydney has now commissioned its new facility and it is currently running at 45-50 teu’s per day, which will eventually ramp up to 100 per day. The x-ray monitoring officers are on a sharp learning curve but with the exchange of information between Melbourne and Sydney, their expertise and skill of cargo identification will increase dramatically. The government have just announced that cost-recovery will be spread across all Import Sea Entries- see seperate Bulletin April 23.

SCHENKER VS SIEMENS CASE

Further to separate Bulletin a reminder that the delay in resolution of the Schenker vs Siemens case makes it vital to ensure that your Standard Trading Conditions of Contract with your customers are current and that you have on record their acceptance of these conditions.  If you  are unsure, please ask AFIF for a copy of it's standard model developed for the Industry and the 'how to use' document.

AFIF TRAINING

The full AFIF training schedule for 2003 is produced on the AFIF website and we urge you to check all course schedules and information and download application forms. 

AFIF 2003 CONFERENCE – COFFS HARBOUR MAY 21-23

Not sure whether to attend??

 Refer recent flyer sent direct to your desktop, however the following may summarise the reasons why you cannot afford to miss this conference:-

-         US Customs will outline the new mandatory requirements for airfreight advance notification to come on line later this year.

-         Closer to home – you will need to register for and obtain ‘digital certificates’ to use the new customs integrated cargo systems (ICS). High level Customs presentations and co-ordinated workshops will take participants through major changes to the way you will do business with Customs in the future.      

-         The government has just released its new transport security bill and in the session ‘Trading through Terror’ we will explore the impact and likely scenarios in this area.

-         In addition to these vital issues, high profile speakers will give you an insight into some of the bigger picture issues. Tim Fischer will speak on Australian trade issues and the vital Adelaide to Darwin link and how it will effect Australian transport movements and the ACCC will explain its role particularly as it relates to our industry.   

Full details available through the AFIF website www.afif.asn.au or click on the picture link at the start of this Bulletin or the logo in this section.

FIATA WORLD CONGRESS 2003

The FIATA World Congress this year will be held in Bali from September 29^th to October 3^rd.  The island and its infrastructure is recovering well from the devastating effects of last year and the conference organisers have focused much time and energy on safety and security ahead of this year’s event.  This is the closest that the FIATA World Congress has been to Australia since 1998 (when hosted by AFIF) and it is a great opportunity to keep up to date and contribute to global freight forwarding issues that affect everyone.  All details can be found at www.fiata2003.org

AGENCY CO-OPERATION

We are holding information from many countries including China; Bangladesh and Turkey with regard to opportunities for new agency relationships. Please contact AFIF for more detail.

PERISHABLE AGENTS REQUEST

We have received a request from a perishable freight forwarder in Qld requesting a suitable contact in Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart or Darwin for business relations. Please contact AFIF for contact details.

FINANCIAL SERVICES LAW

In our January bulletin we gave advance warning of changes to the financial services law whereby Freight Forwarders who were providing ancillary services in relation to cargo insurance may require a license. We have been discussing this issue with Ebsworth & Ebsworth lawyers and they have provided us with a more detailed information sheet which we have posted to our website. We encourage you to check this out – go to www.afif.asn.au  click on News and follow the links.

Further to this, Ebsworth & Ebsworth are also preparing to present an information seminar for our members on May 29^th in Sydney and a flyer will be sent our in due course. We are also attempting to get this replicated in other capital cities. More information later.

MEMBER BENEFITS / SERVICES

DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS MANUALS / CD’S

– plus other IATA PUBLICATIONS

Don’t forget that AFIF is Australia’s authorised supplier of all IATA’s publications and can meet the needs of you and your customers in terms of Dangerous Goods manuals, Infectious Substances Handling, Perishable Goods Handling, Live Animals regulations and many more. Please visit our website at www.afif.asn.au for a full list of publications/price lists and order forms.

Please Note:

IATA has published on its Web site an Addendum to the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), 44th Edition. For your information, an amendment to the definition of lithium battery in Appendix A has been held over until such time as ICAO includes it in its corrigendum which should be issued in May.

The link is: <http://www.iata.org/dangerousgoods/index.htm>

EATING OUT

Il giardino – Garden Restaurant

At 984 Botany Road, Mascot NSW, phone:  (02) 9667 3728 contact Jana

Offering a 10% discount to all AFIF members when making a booking.

ACCOMMODATION SPECIALS

Hilton International:-

Hilton Sydney Airport               $130.00

Hilton Adelaide                         $150.00

Hilton Brisbane                         $135.00

Hilton Cairns                                        $180.00

Hilton on the Park, Melbourne  $170.00

Hilton Melbourne, Airport                     $155.00

Parmelia Hilton Perth                            $155.00

All prices are per night in a single/twin/double room and are valid till 30/12/03.

A supplement of $50.00 will upgrade guests to Executive Floor accommodation. This includes daily continental breakfast and evening cocktails (with the exception of Hilton Perth). A supplement of $35.00 per room will upgrade guests to the Deluxe floor at the Hilton Sydney Airport.

Holiday Inn-

These rates are valid to 31 December 2003

Holiday Inn Sydney Airport                  $128.00

Holiday Inn City Centre Perth   $145.00(1 Feb - 31 March, 16 Sept - 15 Dec)

                                                            $135.00(1 Apr - 15 Sept, 15 Dec - 30 Dec)

Holiday Inn Brisbane                            $140.00

Holiday Inn Melbourne             $195.00

Holiday Inn on Flinders             $195.00

Black out dates due to World Cup Rugby are 8/10/2003 - 23/11/2003.

World Interline Tours – INDUSTRY SPECIALS

Air Pacific to FIJI -  Economy Class to Nadi – Eligible Industry Members

$354 Ex Syd                $333 Ex Melb              $332 Ex Bris

Business class airfares + accommodation specials also.

Valid 01 May to 27 May 2003.

United to CHICAGO – Economy Class – one stopover permitted

$799 Ex Syd                $832 Ex Melb

Valid to 19 June 2003

Carlton Crest Hotel Sydney - $62.50 per person twin share

Valid 01 April – 31 August 2003

For all World Interline Tour information please contact Steve Khoury on (02) 9954-2626 or check their website at www.worldinterline.com.au