AFIF MONTHLY MEMBERS SUMMARY BULLETIN
                                                                                          September, 2004

AIR

      ·     HAWB Clause to Extend Contract of Carriage

On Friday August 27th, AFIF issued a bulletin to all members recommending the use of an additional clause to appear on the face of the House Air Waybill to extend the contract of carriage from the place where the forwarder takes control of the goods, at the point of origin, to releasing the goods at the point of destination (where this occurs outside of the boundaries of the airport). The background to this emanates from the outcome of the Schenker vs Siemens court case. Please click here to view the full details.

      ·   Qantas Clarification re US Customs Requirements

On Tuesday August 17^th , AFIF issued a bulletin attaching a note from Qantas which clarified the requirements for the provision of data and documents for US Customs, noting that AFIF had been instrumental in notifying Qantas of industry concerns and they had addressed this issue positively. This is good news!  Click here to view bulletin.

      ·     Non-disclosure Agreement document

 We have also been working with Qantas on a non disclosure agreement whereby the airline will guarantee the integrity of the data that you provide. This document is not yet finalised as we have issues with the first draft and we are also discussing this matter with FIATA on a global scale. We will advise as soon as possible.  

      ·    Changes to Link Road, Sydney Airport 

SACL have announced proposed changes to Link Road, including proposed alterations within CTO land areas. When Customs vacate the Charles Ulm (blue building) and move into their new premises in the international car park , SACL will occupy the vacant building in Link Road. There will also be changes to street parking for trucks and cars in Link Road. Please click here to view the plan.

      ·     Patrick Cargo Terminal Service Fees

Patrick have announced new security measures in their cargo terminals around Australia and that they will cost recover from the forwarding industry. They have issued notices detailing their new fees and charges. Click here to view .

We have advised Patrick that our view remains the same that whilst we applaud the introduction of  increased security at  the terminals (to include x-ray and explosive trace detection equipment), the charges should be levied against the carrier with whom they have a handling contract. In addition, the forwarder has carried out their obligations under the government regulated international cargo security plan and delivered the cargo to the CTO with a declaration that security measures have been followed.

We are however taking this matter up on a global scale through FIATA and IATA as all Australian cargo terminal operators have decided to bill the forwarder for these fees.

      ·    IATA / FIATA Advanced Electronic Cargo Information On-line 
        Training

With the US Customs requirement for Advanced Electronic Cargo Information (AECI), IATA and FIATA have together produced an on-line training package to assist all parties including airlines, freight forwarders and shippers. To find out more please click here to view the advertising literature. 

       ·     Senai Airport Promote New Hub in South Malaysia 

Senai Airport in Johor Bahru is rapidly developing and expanding into a major alternative / competitor to Singapore as a hub for the region. They are planning major logistic improvements including state of the art perishable and refrigerated cargo handling facilities. Click here to view more about the opportunities  http://www.senaiairport.com/

       ·   South African Airlines Freight Forwarders Competition

AFIF was happy to help South African Airways promote their competition for freight forwarders, culminating in the drawing of winners: Wilsons Logistics (Sydney) and Kuehne & Nagel (Brisbane) who have both been offered free return travel to attend the FIATA World Congress at Sun City in South Africa (September 19 – 23). Congratulations to the winning companies and to South African Airways for their innovative competition, allowing forwarders to participate in this very important congress.

       ·     Qantas to Operate to UK via Hong Kong

In late October, Qantas will operate three weekly services between Sydney and London via Hong Kong, for the first time. The International Air Services Commission recently granted Qantas approval to operate seven additional flights to the UK and in addition to the Hong Kong services will operate three between Perth and London via Singapore. Additional services will be added in 2005 / 6.

CUSTOMS

CMR

       ·      Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for Exports Announced

Customs and Industry have been working on a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for exports in the event that either the customs, or industry users software systems fail, (or there is an  “outage”) . AFIF has been part of this committee and the plans are outlined in the latest ICS User Rep Newsletter No. 21. Please click here to view.  

       ·     Digital Certificates

If you have not yet applied for your digital certificates (where required) you must consider this immediately as you may well find that you are not able to obtain them in time to commence the process by October 6^th. In the meantime, please consider the Tradegate ExportNet Program as a permanent option or a temporary solution until your digital certificates are finalised. Full details of the ExportNet Program offered by Tradegate were issued to members on August 24^th.  Click here to view.

       ·     Customs Support During  Export ICS Transition

ACS have advised that during the ICS transition period, Customs Information and Support Centre (CI&SC) will be available for extended hours. Please note the contact details:

Tel: 1300 558 099 or email: cargosupport@customs.gov.au  

       ·     Training

The AFIF / CBFCA / Customs nationwide training sessions have now been completed and hopefully all of our members have sent staff to the sessions to understand the requirements of the new ICS   export system. The transition begins on September 22^nd ,with full cut over on October 6^th. In the meantime Qantas Freight have announced briefing sessions which will highlight the major changes to the lodgement and acceptance requirements for airfreight forwarders and terminal operators. Please consider sending relevant staff to these sessions. Please see relevant flyers or contact your local Qantas office to check availability and timing.

       ·     AAPT Commerce Solutions Offer PKI Solution

Please click here to view AAPT Tradeway offer in regard to communicating with customs without your own PKI / digital certificate. Please click here to view.

       ·     High Speed Broadband Communications for CMR

On August 27^th AFIF advised all members of an AAPT announcement regarding the facilitation of high speed broadband services in the Tullamarine (VIC) and Eagle Farm (BNE) areas. AFIF had been concerned for some time at the lack of appropriate resources in those areas, as increased line speed would be required with the forthcoming CMR ICS system. AFIF urged its members to contact their local communications service provider, or take advantage of the AAPT offer. Please click here to view the full announcement.

       ·     Tradegate Announce ExportNet Upgrade to Include Export ICS
          and PRA Changes

Tradegate has upgraded their ExportNet application to allow users to make export declarations to customs and to produce PRAs and other transport documents. This system will interface with the new customs ICS system without the need for PKI and Digital Signature Certificates (DSC). Please click here to view the full offer and details.

SEA

       ·    Container X-Ray Storage Issue

Further to previous advice and articles in the Lloyds List DCN,  AFIF has formerly written to the Federal Ministers for Customs and Transport together with the opposition Minister for Customs regarding the issue of storage charges levied on some containers following x-ray and or examination. We have received advice from the opposition minister’s office that they are very interested in this subject and will be making representation in parliament in an attempt  to resolve this issue satisfactorily. More news to follow.  

        ·    Seafreight Council (NSW) to Conduct Industry Wide Survey

The Seafreight Council of NSW (SFC) has commissioned a study into the misalignment in hours of operation between the sea container terminals and warehouses and the impact on operational and cost efficiency of the seafreight supply chain. This is being conducted by Meyrick & Associates. They are asking our members to contribute to the study by completing a brief survey which can be found by clicking on the following link.:  http://survey.meyrick.com.au/   Should you require further information, please contact Kathy Coroneos at Meyrick & Associates on email Kathy@meyrick.com.au   

       ·     MSC MT Container Return Ignites Industry Anger

MSC recently announced that empty containers were to be returned to Patricks Port Botany container terminal instead of MCS or Seatons depots. Apparently the decision had been made at their head office in Geneva and it clearly did not take into account some of the logistical problems and cost factors involved. Furthermore, Patricks require that a PRA and also a slot booking be made for the return of the MTs. AFIF made representation to senior management of MSC in Australia who have subsequently announced that  the situation will revert to the previous arrangement until MSC head office have considered the situation. We trust that sanity has been returned and will remain ! 

      ·     P&O Ports Offer Temporary Service to Convert ERA to PRA    

Further to the bulletin posted to our website on August 23^rd , P&O have offered to provide a temporary service at $50.00 per ERA processed to convert the documents to PRA. Click here to read full bulletin

      ·  Export Seafreight – Space Shortage

The Export Seafreight Council of NSW recently advised that whilst shipping space to Europe, North America and North East Asia is easing, the situation to South East Asia is very tight. A stock pile of 20 /  40 ft empties is also beginning to develop and there has been insufficient space to reposition these containers.

PRA

Issues re Electronic Messaging and Business Continuity

AFIF has been monitoring  the response times for messages using the new 1-STOP facilitation hub and it appears that messages from certain terminals are returned quicker than others. 1-STOP are working with the relevant terminals to improve these times. They have now also issued a Business Continuity Plan for downtime, please click here to view.

In regard to outages and / or delays, there has been concern voiced within the industry that costs associated with such business disruption are to be worn by our industry, particularly where these costs cannot be passed onto the exporter. We trust that business disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum and that compensation will be looked into where this is beyond our control.

GENERAL     

 Industry Charity Ball

Yes its back !  Impex  personnel, assisted by AFIF and the CBFCA have combined to arrange another popular industry ball which will be held at the magnificent ‘dockside’ at Cockle Bay Wharf. Please click here to view the formal invitation. Book your table now to avoid disappointment ! This of course dispels the rumour that this industry has no “ Balls” !

 Check out the AFIF Website for Latest Industry Info !

Just a reminder that our website is updated daily, with new items added to our news and bulletins sections. For example if you are looking for info on CMR, hit the ‘Government and Industry’ button and click on Customs, then  CMR and view the various options. The ICS Industry user representative regularly issues newsletters and no.18 is currently there. Please click here to view.

If you are looking for info on quarantine check the AICCC e-bulletins which are posted within the AQIS section. Our friends in the legal fraternity regularly issue bulletins on issues effecting our industry and these are posted under the News button / Legal.  Of course you can view, book and receive confirmation for all of our training courses and purchase the IATA publications and much more !  Go to www.afif.asn.au

Accommodation & Travel

Please click here to go to the relevant information at our Website:  http://www.afif.asn.au/news_travelhotels.asp

 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!!

 AFIF 2005 Conference Dates / Location Announced

The AFIF conference organizing committee and board have decided that AFIF 2005 will be held at the beautiful Novotel Palm Cove Resort, north of Cairns. The dates of the conference areMay 18 – 20. The committee are currently planning the program for the event.  In the meantime 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 

 AFIF Queensland Charity Golf Day 2004

AFIF will be hosting a Charity Golf Day, to be held at Nudgee Golf Course, on Wednesday October 13^th to raise some much needed funds for the Surf Life Saving Queensland. Please click here for details of the event and sponsorship opportunities. http://www.afif.asn.au/pdf/news/Jul04_Golf_2004.PDF

AFIF Training

 The Basic Import Sea Freight Procedures & Basic Export Sea Freight Procedures courses have recently been revised and re-launched in Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane. 

If you are interested in finding out more about our courses or to register, please visit www.afif.asn.au.

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”.

September & October 2004

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.