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2007 PEAK SEASON

It is now well into the Peak Season of 2007 and this year all shipping lines from Asian ports have experienced space problems at both load ports and transshipment ports. This could quote possibly be one of the busiest peak seasons we have experienced and consequently the shipping lines have announced that there will be further increases to the freight rates during January 2008.

At this stage we are talking with the shipping lines to ensure that we are kept up to date with the status of allocations from Asia and then notifying our customers accordingly.


GENERAL RATES INCREASE (GRI) – Notice to trade

As previously advised, the shipping lines have announced that there will be General Rate Increases (GRI’s ) into Australia. Listed below are the dates the increases will commence as well as the amount of the increase.

Ex South East Asia to Australia
Date 20’ Container 40’ Container
01.01.08 US$ 300.00 US$ 600.00

Ex Korea to Australia
Date 20’ Container 40’ Container
01.01.08 US$ 350.00 US$ 700.00

Ex China / Hong Kong & Taiwan to Australia
Date 20’ Container 40’ Container
19.01.08 US$ 200.00 US$ 400.00

INDIA TRADE SURCHARGE – Notice to trade

Cargo loaded in Chennai and transhipped via Singapore, Malaysia or Colombo will attract an Indian Trade Surcharge.

20’ Container 40’ Container
US$ 100.00 US$ 200.00

BUNKER ADJUSTMENT FACTOR (BAF)

South East Asia – Imports to Australia
Date 20’ Container 40’ Container
01.01.08 US$ 610.00 US$ 1,220.00

North Asia (excluding Taiwan) – Imports to Australia
Date 20’ Container 40’ Container
21.12.07 US$ 425.00 US$ 850.00

Taiwan – Imports to Australia
Date 20’ Container 40’ Container
05.01.08 US$ 425.00 US$ 850.00

OVERWEIGHT CONTAINER SURCHARGE

Many shipping lines have implemented an Overweight Container Surcharge from Asian ports into Australia. The surcharge varies between the shipping lines from US$150/20’ container up to US$250/20’ container weighing over 13 tonne (including tare weight).

At this stage not all carriers are imposing this surcharge so we will be trying to wherever possible book with alternative carriers.


FREIGHT ON BOARD INTERNATIONAL SERVICES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

Freight On Board International Services make a special effort wherever possible to support the general community by the way of donations and supporting functions.

Throughout the course of the year we have donated money to local schools, supported the local hospitals aged care facilities and also Make A Wish foundation.

If you to would like to support any foundations or charities that Freight on Board support, please do not hesitate to contact either Brendan Tout or Brett Lennon at any time.


QUARANTINE UPDATE - IMPORTS

Australia is implementing mandatory treatment requirements for all wood packing materials arriving in association with air, sea or break bulk cargo. These new harmonised requirements came into effect from 1 May 2006.

From May 1st 2006, imported solid timber packaging arriving in Australia by airfreight and in break bulk consignments must be treated in accordance with AQIS requirements (ISPM15 treatment is acceptable).
If it is not , the material will be directed at the importer’s expense for either:

  • Mandatory onshore treatment
  • Re-export, or
  • Destruction
In the interim, stickers are being placed on break bulk and airfreight packaging not bearing ISPM15 stamps to advise importers of the new requirements (see below).

AQIS is currently working with industry to develop processes for identifying appropriately treated timber through documentary processes such as those in place for FCL and LCL shipments; with a view to having all timber packaging dealt with as consistently as possible. These measures should not only improve quarantine protection for Australia’s timber industries and environment, but should also assist industry by creating a uniform approach to timber quarantine risks of all types of cargo.

For further information please contact one of our licenced brokers, Brendan, Greg, Lionel and Vito.


EXPORT SHIPMENTS

USA Ruling on container ex Melbourne & Adelaide for Snail Infestation.

The US Customs and Border Protection Agency (BPA) in the USA has relaxed its 100% inspection regime of containers from Adelaide and Melbourne to 14 randomly selected containers per vessel per shipping Line at Philadelphia and approximately 2% of containers at other ports subject to staff availability and perceived risk. However, the BPA could increase the inspection levels if infestations are found.

This relaxation is thought to be due to:
1. Advent of cooler weather in southern Australia, and
2. Some exporters voluntarily ensuring that containers are snail-free before releasing them for export.

However, the return of warmer weather in spring could trigger greater numbers through breeding and more mobility and we believe the problem should be addressed through greater vigilance here and not left for a foreign government to control.

Shippers are reminded that the costs associated with containers found in the USA to be infested are prohibitive. It is thus significantly more cost effective for shippers to ensure that containers are clean upon receipt and inspected and, if necessary, cleaned before being released to transport for export.

RECOMMENDATION

All exporters should ensure that empty containers are snail-free upon receipt and also after packing. We would emphasise that if upon receival of your empty container from the ocean carrier snails are found on the container, you should immediately notify our office for further action.

If you have not already introduced an inspection program, to avoid delivery delays we strongly recommend that you should commence doing so immediately. This applies to the exporters of all containers of all cargoes destined for the USA to be loaded onto ships in Melbourne which includes all containers ex South Australia.

Please note that the responsibility for the arranging and cost of inspection of containers in Australia and or the United States or for any actions or costs that occur through a container being found to be contaminated or suspected of being contaminated will be solely for the account of the cargo interest.


EXPORTING WITH TIMBER PACKAGING

ISPM 15 - COUNTRY IMPLEMENTATION DATES
Last updated: 25-08-06

Please note this information is provided as a guide only. Individual country implementation dates may change without notice and it is the responsibility of the exporter to comply with importing country requirements at the time of export.

Country

Implementation date

Argentina

Date of enforcement 1 January 2006.

Australia

Containerised Cargo
As of 1 May 2006 Australia began enforcing mandatory treatment (either onshore or off-shore) for all solid wood packaging imported with containerised cargo. All untreated wood packaging will be subject to one of the following: mandatory onshore treatment, re-export or destruction at the importer’s expense.

Air Cargo and Break Bulk
For wooden packaging imported with air cargo and in break bulk consignments, AQIS is still developing systems to manage the associated quarantine risk. Until such time as this system has been developed AQIS will continue to monitor air cargo and break bulk packaging via surveillance. If quarantine risks such as insect infestation or bark are identified, the consignment will be held and the packaging will be treated. Alternatively, the packaging can be removed from the consignment, re-exported or destroyed.

Further information
For further information regarding ISPM 15 packaging clearance, please see the ISPM 15 Frequently Asked Questions page of the AQIS website. If you require further assistance please contact the Timber and Timber Products National Co-ordination Centre on telephone: 03 8318 6929, fax 03 8318 6777 or email: timber.imports@aqis.gov.au

Bolivia

Date of enforcement May 24, 2005, The Bolivian regulations require imported wood packaging to be constructed from debarked wood and to be treated and marked according to the ISPM 15 standard. However, there are no requirements that the wood be marked as manufactured from debarked wood. Wood packaging made from unmarked wood may be retained and either treated, destroyed or re-exported.

Brazil

Enforcement date 11 July 2005.

Bulgaria

Enforcement date 24 January 2006.

Canada

As of 5 July 2006, imports must comply with requirements of ISPM No. 15 or be subject to removal from the importing country.

Chile                           

Date of enforcement 1 June 2005, will accept a Phytosanitary certificate in lieu of the ISPM 15 mark. At present Chile requires debarked wood packaging.

China                          

Date of enforcement 1 January 2006.

Note: to facilitate entry of consignments containing wooden packaging into China it is recommended that a statement confirming that wooden packaging material used in the consignment is ISPM 15 compliant, is included on documentation accompanying consignments. Documentation may include packing declarations, packing lists or invoices. Treatment certificates are not required.

Colombia

Date of enforcement 15 September 2005.

Costa Rica

Date of enforcement 19 March 2006.

Dominican Republic

Date of enforcement 1 July 2006.

Ecuador

Date of enforcement 30 September 2005.

Egypt

Date of enforcement 1 October 2005.

European Union:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Channel islands, Czech Republic, French southern states, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Southern States, Germany, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Monaco, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Ireland, Ireland North, Isle of man, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Martinique, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Saint Pierre, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Directive 2004/102/EC, which entered into force on 1 March 2005, requires the following measures to be taken for wood packaging material and dunnage entering the EU from all countries:

  • the wood must be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide, in line with ISPM15 procedures;

  • the wood must be officially marked with the ISPM15 stamp.


  • From 1 January 2009, all wood packaging material imported into the EU must be debarked.

    Dunnage must meet the same criteria as wood packaging material. However, it is exempted until the end of 2007 if it is made of wood free from bark, pests and signs of live pests.

    For WPM manufactured, repaired or recycled prior to 28 February 2005, the logo specified in Annex II to ISPM 15 is not applicable until 31 December 2007.
    Additional information is available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/plant/index_en.htm

    Fiji

    Have indicated intention to adopt ISPM 15 but no official enforcement date has been confirmed.

    Guatemala

    Date of enforcement 25 January 2006.

    Hong Kong

    Not likely to implement, no official information.

    Honduras

    Date of enforcement 25 February 2006.

    India                                         

    Enforcement date 1 November 2004. A Phytosanitary certificate endorsed with treatment details is required unless the wood packaging material is ISPM 15 compliant and marked accordingly. In addition wooden packaging material must be fee of bark.

    Indonesia

    Likely to implement in mid 2006, no official confirmation of enforcement date available.

    Japan

    Proposed date of enforcement 27 April 2007.

    Jordan

    Date of enforcement 17 November 2005.

    Lebanon

    Date of enforcement 1 July 2006.

    Mexico

    As of 5 July 2006, imports must comply with requirements of ISPM No. 15 or be subject to removal from the importing country.

    New Caledonia

    Date of enforcement 1 June 2006.

    New Zealand

    The New Zealand Import Health Standard Wood Packaging Material from All Countries came into effect on 1 May 2006. Acceptable treatments include those listed in the ISPM 15 standard. The enforcement of the standard will be phased in over two months.

    Phase 1 - Between 1 May and 30 June 2006
    During this time consignments will be risk profiled and a subset of these will be selected for inspection. Any wood packaging found to have pests will be treated, destroyed or reshipped. Wood packaging that is non-compliant will be tagged with an advisory notice to the importer.

    Phase 2 - From 1 July 2006
    During this time wood packaging must comply with the import requirements. Consignments will be risk profiled and a subset of these will be selected for inspection. Any non-compliant wood will be treated, reshipped or destroyed. A notice will be sent to the importer about any non-compliant wood packaging. Additional information is available at: www.maf.govt.nz.

    Nicaragua

    Have confirmed the adoption and the intent to enforce ISPM 15, no official enforcement date has advised.

    Nigeria

    Nigeria Plant Quarantine Service is now enforcing their import requirements for imported wood packaging material. Nigeria will accept the ISPM 15 mark in lieu of the phytosanitary certificate as stated in their regulation, which took effect September 30, 2004.

    Oman

    Date of enforcement 1 December 2006.

    Panama

    Date of enforcement 17 February 2005.

    Paraguay

    Date of enforcement 28 June 2005.

    Peru

    Date of enforcement 1 September 2005 wood packaging material must be manufactured from debarked wood.

    Philippines

    Date of enforcement 1 June 2005. All wood packaging material (such as cases, crating, dunnage, drums, load boards, packing blocks, pallets, pallet collars, and skids) must comply with ISPM 15 requirements.

    Republic of South Korea

    Date of enforcement 1 June 2005. Containers will be randomly selected for inspection to confirm wood packaging complies with ISPM 15. Failure to comply with ISPM 15 will result in the wood packaging material being directed for treatment.

    Samoa                                                 

    Phytosanitary certificate is required unless wood packaging material is ISPM 15 compliant. If not ISPM 15 compliant, then one of the following treatments is required within 21 days of export from Australia. Fumigation with Methyl Bromide or Sulphuryl fluoride at 80g/m3 for more than 24 continuous hours, at a minimum temperature of 10°C. Phosphine fumigation at 1.41 g/m3 for 72 hours at a minimum 10°C and maximum 30°C. Filleted to 300mm maximum. Heat treatment at 70°C core temperature for more than 4 hours. Or by an approved chemical preservation method. All wood packaging material must be free of bark, quarantine pests, decay and other fungi and soil. All wood packaging material will be inspected on arrival in Samoa.

    Seychelles

    Date of enforcement 1 March 2006

    Singapore 

    Singapore is not demanding ISPM-15 compliance in its own right. For transhipment cargo, and any cargo that is imported solely for re-export, it is recommended that the wooden packaging material should be treated and certified at the country of origin in accordance with the destination country’s requirements for wood packaging material.

    South Africa

    Enforcement date 1 March 2005.

    Sri Lanka

    Date of adoption 1 March 2004 no confirmation of date of enforcement.

    Switzerland

    Date of enforcement 1 March 2005

    Syria

    Date of enforcement 1 April 2006

    Taiwan                                    

    Notification of intent to implement the standard has been issued but no official enforcement date has been confirmed.

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Date of adoption 15 September 2005. Date of enforcement to be advised. All regulated wood packaging material from Trinidad and Tobago will be stamped in accordance with the ISPM 15 standard.

    Turkey

    Enforcement date 1 January 2006. All Wood Packing material entering Turkey from all areas must be treated and certified in accordance with ISPM 15. All wood packing material should be debarked, subjected to fumigation by methyl bromide or heat treatment and marked in compliance with ISPM 15.

    Ukraine

    Date of enforcement 1 October 2005

    USA

    As of 5 July 2006, imports must comply with requirements of ISPM No. 15 or be subject to removal from the importing country. Additional information is available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/wpm/import.html

    Vietnam

    Date of enforcement 5 June 2006.

    Venezuela

    Date of enforcement 2 May 2005.


    CHRISTMAS 2007

    In closing, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas for 2007 and may 2008 bring you good health and much happiness.