GENERAL
Infrastructure Levy – Continued…
Further to previous introduction of the Infrastructure Levy by terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, we have now received notice of an increase of this fee into all ports. Effective ETA/ETD 1st January 2018.
We have been advised that the Terminals continue to face on the most difficult markets in decades, arising from over-capacity in the local stevedoring market, larger ships and consolidation of Shipping Lines, as well as increased costs – including: rises in property costs, council rates, land tax and engergy costs. With the raised surcharge, the Terminals will continue to improve service levels & invest in lanside equipment and terminal capacity to handle peaks in container volumes.
Unfortunately this additional charge will impact our FCL/LCL pricing, we therefore will need to pass on this cost to our valued customers:
The increased surcharge will be applied as per below:
FCL Imports/Exports: AU55.00 – Applicable to all Import/Export cargo arriving/departing all Terminals (SYD/MEL/BNE/PER)
LCL Imports/Exports: AUD2.50W/M – Applicable to all Import/Export cargo arriving/departing all Terminals (SYD/MEL/BNE/PER)
Further to the Stevedors introducing Infrastructure Levies, the FAK depot/warehouses are now following suit.
Effective ETA/ETD 1st January 2018, this surcharge will impact further to LCL pricing and be applied as per below:
LCL Imports/Exports: AUD10.00W/M – Applicable to all Import/Export cargo arriving/departing(SYD/MEL/BNE/PER)
With the two separate Infrastructure Levies, we will combine in our pricing to offer as per below:LCL Imports/Exports: AUD12.50W/M – Applicable to all Import/Export cargo arriving/departing(SYD/MEL/BNE/PER)
Timber Due Diligence… Full Compliance by 1st January 2018
Australia’s illegal logging laws The Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (the Act) came into force on 28 November 2012. The Act seeks to ‘reduce the harmful environmental, social and economic impacts of illegal logging by restricting the importation and sale of illegally logged timber products in Australia. The Act makes it a criminal offence to knowingly, recklessly or intentionally import illegally logged timber and/or timber products into Australia.
This Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) addresses the department’s proposals to minimise the cost to businesses and individuals of complying with the Regulation’s due diligence requirements.
With the conclusion of the RIS process, the department will also end its existing ‘soft-start’ compliance period.
From 1 January 2018, Department of Agriculture and Water Resouces (DAWR) will be performing Due Diligence Audits on a random basis and expects ALL Importers of target goods to have completed and be able to show proof that they have done their due diligence.
Businesses and individuals who import regulated timber products into Australia, or who process domestically grown raw logs, may face penalties for failing to comply with the due diligence requirements.
For further information on Illegal Logging/Timber Due Diligence requirements, please Click Here.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) – Update
As per previous advice about the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season, The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has recently discovered significant numbers of BMSB on arrival in Australia in non-target containerised goods arriving from Italy.
These dectections indicate the BMSB are sheltering in a range of containers and goods outside of those captured by the current mandatory measures.
To manage the risk posed by these items, the department will be:
Importers shipping consignments to Australia during the BMSB risk season should ensure their stakeholders are aware of the risk of BMSB infestation and the importance of preventing infestation prior to shipping, while also advising operators to stay vigilant for the presence of these insects when unpacking goods on arrival.
For further information on BMSB updates, please Click Here.