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AFIF MONTHLY MEMBERS SUMMARY BULLETIN January 2004
Minister Meets with Industry over CMR Senator Chris Ellison, Minister for Customs held a round-table meeting with senior industry reps on Jan 28, specifically to discuss issues surrounding the implementation of CMR. Postponements to date have been caused by the fact that the proposed Customs ICS systems have not successfully passed their testing phase and industry software developers have expressed serious concern about the future for CMR. Others expressed similar doubts about the viability of the accredited client scheme. The delay has caused a huge cost blow-out to the Government but industry has felt the effect in terms of business preparation & training (which must now be refreshed). Please click here for the full minutes of the round table meeting. CMR Import client registration deadline extended The 31 March 2004 deadline for the completion
of import client registration forms has been extended. A revised deadline
to replace the current date outlined in the Import client registration
booklet will be advised by April 2004. Further information can be
found on Customs website www.customs.gov.au (follow
the links to Cargo Management Reengineering). USA Temporarily Postpone Advance Air Cargo Info Further to our Bulletin in early January, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have now announced a three phase implementation of the new rule commencing in August with the East Coast USA Airports, followed by Central in October and finally West Coast in November. In the meantime Industry Software Developers are working on an electronic interface to report the MAWB, HAWB & Manifest electronically to the carriers in Australia. If you have the capability to submit this information direct to your US counterpart, please understand that you will also have to send it to the local office of the carrier. Please click here to read the FIATA notice on this issue. India Announces Advance Information Requirements In a similar fashion to the USA, India have announced advance manifest rules. Please DOTARS Announce Changes To Regulated Agents Scheme As previously advised it is the Governments intention to extend the current International Air Cargo Security (Regulated Agent) Program to include Domestic Air Services. This will take effect from July 01st, 2004. We’ll keep you informed of any changes that affect your business. AQIS Vigilance Protects Australiao:p> The vessel Contship Auckland has now been fumigated and returned to Australia. Whilst the situation caused inconvenience to many importers and exporters on both sides of the Tasman, the exercise has prevented a potentially devastating pest incursion. Asian Bird flu update! Following measures to protect Australia from Foot and Mount disease over the last couple of years, AQIS now has its work cut out preventing Asian Bird Influenza taking hold here. The Deptartment of Foreign Affairs has released alerts on the global situation. It provides a good situation report (as at 2 February) and helpful maps (of Asia as a whole and China in Particular).
AQIS Reduces Import Clearance Fees
As per AFIF Bulletin issued on January 7th, AQIS has announced a reduction in Import Clearance Fees achieved by cost efficiencies and the comparative low level of imports this financial year. Please click here for full details. AQIS Information on Heat Treatment Timber and Wood Packaging If you need detailed information on new and emerging AQIS requirements for treatment of timber and wood packaging, please click here to read the relevant AQIS notice PQA0292. Guidelines on NZ Sea Container Cleanliness procedures Further to previous Bulletin on the New Zealand Container cleanlinesss requirements, please click on the following link for a clear step-by-step guide to the new rules. This may also be useful for your Export sea clients. Tradex Release New Information Please click here to access the January 2004 edition of Tradex which will be of use to customers who import goods for inclusion in the manufacture of goods for export. Customs New Sydney Building Takes Shape The new 12 storey Customs House being built in the Sydney International Eva Air Change Ground Handler Eva Air have announced that as of 12th February(Bne) & 13th Feb (Syd) it will begin utilising Patrick Air Services as their new ground handler. Please advise all concerned. OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE COSTS! Is your business suffering because of massive overheads including electricity and other utilities? We have been approached and made arrangements with an organisation who can guarantee huge savings to all our Members around Australia! For a quotation or simply a comparison of where savings could be made, please click here to generate an email inquiry to Direct Utilities and you will receive a call to arrange a no obligation audit. Donation Sought for Worthwhile Charity The Hon Tim Fisher who gave a fine presentation at last year's AFIF Conference in Coffs Harbour, is connected with charity organisation V.I.S.E. whose activities are described in the attached info (click here). They are opening a remedial Education Centre in Queensland, which must be funded from donations. They require around $10,000 for the first year of operation. AFIF member company 'ITM' has generously agreed to donate $2,000 towards this and it would be good if AFIF members as a whole could donate the full $10,000. If you are interested please either do so directly to V.I.S.E. or ITM have offered to help. Please contact AFIF if your would like to participate.
The Annual AFIF Conference is being held on the Gold Coast, May 19 – 21. Now is the time to diarise the dates to ensure you have no other commitments at this time (and no excuse to miss this great event). An exciting program is currently being finalised, to ensure the conference is informative, educational, controversial and entertaining! Click here to download the flyer for further detail, or you can hit the Conference Icon at the foot of the home page at www.afif.asn.au. Why not print out the flyer and display it to ensure you do not forget !! Registration details will be available in late February.
AFIF Training IMPORTANT NOTE: Dangerous Goods By Air (Acceptance) Re-certification. New laws allow you to re-certify in the period up to 3 months before your current certificate is due to expire, whilst retaining the day/month of expiry 2 years hence. For example: If you have a certificate due to expire March 31st 2004, then re-certification training can be undertaken ANY time within January, February or March 2004 and your NEXT certificate will remain current until March 31, 2006. Shipper’s Responsibility for “Non Dangerous” Goods Thai Airlines Amendment to DGR 45 Operator Variation Please click on the following Link to read the Operator Variation as posted by Thai Airways in regards to Dangerous Goods in type 1A1 packaging metal drum. The 2004 Training Schedule is now on our website. February & March 2004
For any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact
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IMPORTANT NOTE: new CASA regulations, effective as of from Jan 1st 2004, include the requirement that ALL SHIPPERS of Dangerous Goods by Air also need to undertake appropriate training. Please advise those involved that AFIF can provide this training. The Govt will allow a six month moratorium after which this new rule will be strictly monitored.