Khapra Beetle Measures Change  The Department of Agriculture Water and Resources has now published Import Industry Advice Notice 61-2022: Khapra beetle measures: Other-risk plant products and seeds for sowing (Phases 4 and 5). Who does this notice affect? Importers of other-risk plant products, seeds for sowing and other stakeholders in the import and shipping industries – including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain. What has changed? Phases 4 and 5 of the khapra beetle urgent actions commence on 28 April 2022.Phase 4 applies to listed other-risk plant products (e.g. raw seeds and nuts, green coffee beans, dried fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices) imported via certain modes of arrival.Phase 5 applies to seeds for sowing imported via all modes for arrival.Other-risk plant products and seeds for sowing exported from any country on or after 28 April 2022 must beinspected offshore by a government official of the exporting country; ANDcertified as being free from any listed species of Trogoderma (whether live, dead or exuviae) in Australia’s list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern.Note: Importers may elect to fumigate other-risk plant products when they are being imported with high-risk plant products from a khapra beetle target risk country. To assist in streamlining treatment and certification requirements, the department will also publish import conditions for the voluntary methyl bromide fumigation of some other-risk plant products.A full list of import conditions will be available on BICON on 28 April 2022.Failure to comply with the above requirements may result in the export or destruction of the goods on-arrival in Australia.Exclusions apply, visit the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment webpage for more detail on the khapra beetle urgent actions. |
| Impacts to Service Standards in Victoria and New South Wales The Department of Agriculture Water and Resources has now published Import Industry Advice Notice 58-2022: Impacts to Service Standards in Victoria and New South Wales. The International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia has put together commentary on the new changes. IFCBAA Commentary As a member of the Department’s Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC), IFCBAA on behalf of members has been in contact with DAWE and provided the following comments to the Biosecurity Operations Division Executives on this industry notice: While we understand the challenges IFCBAA is concerned the DAWE continues to be unable to meet service standards for inspection bookings, in VIC & NSW and the impact will continue in the coming weeks, and possibly beyond (how long beyond?) From an industry perspective, we expect a viable service as industry pays fees for service under the imports cost recovery program. Industry over many years has been told that DAWE is increasing resources to manage the required biosecurity intervention but here we are again having service delivery issues. IFCBAA has advised the DAWE to expect trade volumes to increase based on the demand for goods due to COVID to assist with forecasting and resource allocation to facilitate trade. Some importers are blaming our members for the delays which increases the stress levels. The delays result in commercial and financial impacts on importers and service providers. Some members have containers on biosecurity hold for Onshore Verification Inspection and they cannot obtain a booking for 3 weeks. When they applied for overtime they were not able to obtain an overtime booking but the industry notices refer to the department offering overtime for industry to consider. A 3-week delay results in a commercial and financial impact on importers listed below and this needs to be taken into consideration by DAWE as part of the biosecurity reform and additional funding announced in the federal budget for biosecurity. Loss of sales opportunity due to missed contracts time frames despite meeting all the offshore and import documentary requirements. Container staging and holding costs at transport depots or Approved Arrangements sites cause supply chain congestion.Empty container demurrage charges by the shipping for late return of empty container as many holds are CCV Seals Intact inspections preventing the return of empty containers. The funding and cost recovery fees need to be utilised to improve the biosecurity systems, processes and service delivery as the industry expects a viable commercial service. This has been the IFCBAA position for many years and we hope to see some change and improvements to the ‘end to end’ biosecurity system and service. Service and Suspensions in China Stockwell International has received information from regarding the courier service bookings to/from East China. From Rest of World into East China Document services into Shanghai (SHA), Zhejiang Area (HGH) and Jiangsu and Anhui Area (SZV, PVG) will resume with immediate effect. All other services will remain temporarily suspended until further notice. Courier Services are not accepting non-document shipments into these areas until further notice. From East China to Rest of World The temporary weight limit restriction of 30 kg per pick up (customer collection) per day from Shanghai (SHA), Zhejiang Area (HGH) and Jiangsu and Anhui Area (SZV, PVG) to rest of world will remain in place until April 24th. From Qingdao (TAO, Shandong province) to Rest of World Normal operations will resume from Qingdao (TOA, Shandong Province) to rest of world with immediate effect. The earlier announced temporary weight limit restriction of 100 kg per pick up (customer collection) per day will be removed. Fuel Surcharge, CFS, Covid Levy, Drayage, IPI, Chassis Free, Infrastructure Fee, Wharf Booking Fee, Peak Season Surcharge and Low Sulphur Surcharge Air Freight NOTE: Stockwell International would like to inform you that import and export air handling / terminal fees are increasing due to market costs going up. Fuel Surcharge Effective April 1st 2022: For the East Coast of Australia, the fuel surcharge will be at 19%. Western Australia, our fuel levy will be 24% for metro transport in Perth and Fremantle. South Australia, our fuel levy will now be 26% for metro transport in Adelaide. Effective 15 April, 2022 Covid Levy Effective 18th April 2022 The Covid Levy will be applied Nationally $25 per container CFS Australia & New Zealand to All USA Destinations New Amount: USD 6 w/m New Minimum: USD 20 Drayage Australia & New Zealand to All USA Destinations New Amount & New Minimum: 40% IPI Australia & New Zealand to All USA Destinations New Amount & New Minimum: 40% Chassis Fee Effective 15 April, 2022 Australia & New Zealand to All USA Destinations New Amount: USD 6 w/m New Minimum: USD 20 Infrastructure Fee Brisbane $185.00 / container Adelaide $155.00 / container Fremantle $80.00 / container Wharf Booking Fee Fremantle $60.00 / container Peak Season Surcharge Effective 21st April 2022 All AU to Los Angeles US $15 w/m All AU to New York US $10 w/m Low Sulphur Surcharge Effective 15th April 2022 Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide to Suva US $15 w/m Stockwell International will endeavour to keep you updated with the most recent information as it become available to us. For any other questions or enquiries please contact [email protected] |
