AFIF LAUNCHES NEW WEB-SITE !  

As advised, AFIF has proudly launched its new website at its existing address www.afif.asn.au. 

Our new site provides increased functionality allowing our Members to:-

Ø    book and pay on-line for all our training and publications
Ø    Members will also receive automatic confirmation of training place bookings

We aim to constantly improve the services provided through the site and will shortly be launching a new service called ‘find a forwarder’ which will be linked to Austrade and other export industry groups allowing their members to view the services that you offer. More details later!! Anyway we hope you like what you see and any suggestions will be welcomed.

IATA

-   AIRWAYBILL MISUSE

AFIF recently wrote to all Member CEO’s advising them of IATA concerns re: misuse of Airwaybills issued to agents. Members are reminded that responsibility for payment rests with the agent who has been issued the stock by the airline. AFIF has also reminded IATA airlines that they should also not knowingly condone this practice.

-   RES 502 – THE VOLUMETRIC EQUATION

We are receiving a number of enquiries from Members asking what’s happened to the October 1 deadline for IATA to introduce its new volumetric conversion (5000 cc = 1kg). The latest information is that IATA is required to receive government approval before introducing such a change in some countries and as this has not been finalised (including USA) the introduction has been deferred indefinitely (indefinitely does NOT mean never ! - Ed).  We will keep you informed.

-   AIRLINE CREDITS DUE AGENT

Reminder to our May bulletin, whereby we announced AFIF and IATA had reached agreement on credit processing time lines and that a procedure was now in place. If you are unsure please refer to the CASS Bulletins for May & June and talk to your friendly airline who will guide you.  Conditions may apply to claims over 3 months old!

CMR 

-   EXPORT ICS INTRODUCTION

Further to previous advice that Customs will delay the introduction of the Exports module of the new integrated cargo system (ICS) until March 1, 2004, AFIF will be arranging to provide refresher training sessions to members in early 2004. It is likely that these will be delivered at no cost to our members.

-   IMPORT ICS RELEASE

Whilst Customs have declared that they do not plan to delay the introduction of the import release scheduled for July of 2004, there is industry concern that this date may not be practical or wise. In a recent survey of its members, AFIF received an overwhelming majority requesting that Customs apply to Government for an extension to this deadline. Thank you to all those who responded to our ‘instant survey’.  

-   REGULAR CMR UPDATES

We will be posting new information including the ICS User Rep Newsletters to our website on a regular basis and suggest you check/refresh as often as you need.  We have also provided a hyperlink direct to the Customs CMR pages which display the latest fact sheets and information.

US CUSTOMS ‘ADVANCED AIRCARGO’ NOTIFICATION

Ahead of its planned introduction of advanced air cargo information (similar to seafreight) US Customs has received a full report from the working group consisting of all international and domestic transport groups (COAC) and we will post those recommendations and suggestions on our website soon. US Customs will then announce its position on any alteration to its planned procedures. Contrary to initial fears, it is likely that the cut-off will be something like 4 hours before arrival (USA) for airfreight, therefore there is unlikely to be a change in procedure from our end.

AQIS

Any issues? AFIF is represented on the AICCC (AQIS/Industry Cargo Consultative Committee) and the next meeting will be held on September 18. Therefore if you have any issues of a generic nature (not local issues which should be taken up with local AQIS staff) please forward at least one week prior to this date – thanking you!.

FINANCIAL SERVICES REFORM – ARE YOU AFFECTED?

Further to seminars delivered to our Members in Sydney and Melbourne, Herbert Gere and Rundle have produced a briefing paper as to options for our Members to consider. It is clear that ‘no one size fits all’ as our members act in a variety of ways in regard to providing insurance services and advice. More information to come.

FREIGHT AND TRANSPORT SEMINARS

Norton White Lawyers are running some more of their ‘Trade and Transport Brief’ seminars and the next ones to be held in Melbourne will be “Getting your way with Government and the Regulators” on 24 September 2003. Please click on the following link for full details and registration –

http://www.nortonwhite.com/Transport_Briefs/tt_briefs.htm

EXPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANTS (EMD)

Austrade have announced that applications for the export market development grant (ENDG) screen have now opened for the current financial year. If you or your export clients believe you may be eligible for a grant, please click on the following link to find out more information -

http://www.austrade.gov.au/exportgrants

FUTURE EVENTS

For details on forthcoming conferences, seminars and events related to our industry please go to the AFIF website and click on DIARY OF EVENTS.  Some of these include:

- Quarantine and Market Access Conference 2003, September 24-25, Canberra
- FIATA World Congress 2003, 29 Sept – 3 Oct, Bali
- AFIF Queensland Charity Ball 2003,  October 11, Brisbane
- Transport Security World Australia 2003, November 10-12, Sydney
- Trans Pan Pacific 2003 Conference and Exhibition,November 24-25, Melbourne

Also, the venue and advance information on the location for AFIF 2004 is available now!

SANDRA GOLDFINCH BENEFIT NIGHT

Members will be interested to know that monies raised from the Benefit Night and associated activities for the family of Sandra Goldfinch, raised a total of $36,059.00!!  On behalf of Sandra’s family, the Management and Staff of Wilson Logistics – (who organised the event), wish to thank all who attended or contributed to this worthy cause in any way!  The industry demonstrated its big heart!!

UAC CELEBRATES 16 YEARS

Universal Air Cargo held a party in aid of charity in each of their State, and International offices on 4^th September to celebrate 16 years of operations.  All proceeds went to World Vision.  Congratulations!

AGENCY CO-OPERATION                      

We are holding information from many countries with regard to opportunities for new agency relationships. Please contact AFIF for more details.  

TRAVEL AND HOTEL DEALS NOW MOVED TO OUR WEBSITE

Please check out the AFIF website under button NEWS, click on ‘Travel & Hotels’ for all the latest travel and hotel deals available to AFIF Members.   

For immediate confirmation, you can now book all your AFIF training on-line via our website at www.afif.asn.au. 

Vacancies are still available for the following AFIF courses in September & October

For any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Ms Simone Platt the Training Administrator at training@afif.asn.au