Bluefreight RSS

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Bluefreight

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:56:00 GMT

What a year it has been!

With International agents visiting Australia, the Follow That Fire Engine traveling through Australia and now in New Zealand, opening a Hong Kong office and Warren and Richard traveling overseas more often securing new business, it has been a hectic but satisfying year.

We take this opportunity to wish all our customers, our suppliers and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year for 2011 and our sincere thanks for all your continuing support.

Roy’s Forecast: At this time of year, while we feel for the Europeans suffering in the cold, Roy is predicting for himself a few days lying in the sun, enjoying some liquid libations, while polishing the crystal ball to look into 2011.

Tip No 6: Enjoy a few days off and enter 2011 refreshed.

In January, we will return with vigour a more news.

We are closed on the following days: December 24 from midday, December 25 to 28 inclusive, and January 3 and 4 inclusive.

Australian Customs Compliance Update - Consignee/Consignor definition

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:47:00 GMT

We thought this may interest you... In the April edition of the Australian Customs report is the following definition of a consignee / consignor:

Definition of consignee/consignor

In 2009, Customs and Border Protection issued an Australian Customs Notice (ACN) to confirm the reporting and entry requirements for import cargo and to specifically address the issue of consignee/consignor combinations. ACN 2009/47 outlined that cargo reporters engaged to assemble orders of consignments from multiple suppliers need to enter a cargo report in the ICS for each supplier (consignor) and consignee.

However, since ACN 2009/47 was issued, Customs and Border Protection data analysis has still identified many instances of potential non-compliance. It is an offence under section 243V of the Customs Act to provide false and misleading information to Customs and Border Protection. This includes incorrectly reporting consignor/ consignee details or not providing a cargo report. You can be penalised up to $5,500 for each false statement. Compliance Assurance Branch is taking a closer look at compliance with the reporting of consignor/consignee details by monitoring cargo reports and related import declarations. Where there are concerns of incorrect reporting or where an import declaration is incorrectly made, we will ask for further proof of the consignor and consignee details.

Where a cargo reporter, customs broker or importer is non-compliant, the Compliance Assurance Branch considers a range of responses to improve and, if necessary, enforce compliance. These responses include assessing reporting systems, more intrusive monitoring and cargo interventions to verify reports to goods, and/or penalty action.

For more information... Click here to download the full Compliance Report.

Tip 3: Buyer Beware

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:39:00 GMT

Many items available on the internet are prohibited or restricted under Customs and Border Protection legislation. Check with Bluefreight before buying.

Customs and Border Protection x-rays, inspects and examines all goods received at international mail and air cargo centres. Australia has strict laws which control the import and export of goods including purchases made over the Internet. When buying goods over the Internet, you should be aware that some items may be examined and x-rayed. All goods arriving in Australia are subject to examination regardless of:
• if the goods were bought for someone else
• purpose of the goods including business, personal or private
• where they were bought
• whether or not the intention is to sell or distribute the goods.
If you are in doubt about goods you are planning to buy over the Internet, check with Customs and Border Protection first.

Customs and Border Protection
Clearance
Customs and Border Protection intercepts illegal drugs, including performance and image enhancing drugs, firearms and other weapons, such as daggers, throwing stars and flick knives, and goods breaching copyright and trademark legislation. Goods bought over the Internet may arrive in Australia by air freight, express courier, sea cargo or via the post office. The method of delivery will determine the Customs and Border Protection clearance formalities and charges. All goods bought internationally over the Internet may be subject to a security screening, x-ray or examination by Customs and Border Protection officers or partner agencies.

Pirated and counterfeit goods
Copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting are illegal. If you buy pirated or counterfeit items over the Internet or bring this material into the country with you, you could face civil litigation or criminal prosecution.

Import Permits
You may need an import permit in order to bring certain goods into Australia. If the goods are prohibited absolutely they are not allowed into the country under any circumstances. All parcels inspected by Customs and Border Protection are opened by Australia Post. Customs and Border Protection has the authority to seize or detain goods depending on the permit information.

Prohibited goods
Some goods bought over the Internet are prohibited or could contain restricted substances. Items that may be detained or seized by Customs and Border Protection include:
• protrusion dog collars
• electric hand-held insect zappers that have no protection
against accidental contact with the electrified grid
• medications, both traditional and alternative such as
herbal preparations
• performance and image enhancing drugs, including
steroids and health supplements containing restricted
substances
• plant seeds
• videos, DVDs, CDs and books/publications with
objectionable or offensive content
• wildlife souvenirs and products.

Economic Update

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:39:00 GMT

In previous newsletters, we have forecast shipping rates ex China (with some degree of accuracy) and now it is time for some more crystal ball gazing from Roy the Roo, but first some news that provide pricing pressures:

1. Potential GFC Mark II led by Europe and to a lesser degree, the US

2. Additional large capacity ships (greater than 10,000 TEU’s) added to the Asia/Europe route

3. Cost of new containers increased by greater than 35% in the last 6 months

4. An increase in volumes has brought back over 1.2 million TEU of idle and new vessels into active service in the last 3 months

5. No end to the strike at the 2 largest ports in the US, Long Beach and Los Angeles due to a push for the stevedores requesting a 21% increase in salary over the next 3 years

6. Freight forwarders are bracing for a new capacity crunch on the Asia-Europe trade during an earlier than usual peak season with increased rate levels.

Roy’s forecast?

Sea freight: Rates ex China to Australia will remain soft however to Europe will possibly firm, depending on the GFC II, rates ex Australia to SE Asia and Asia will continue to climb, rates ex USA to Australia are forever on the increase due to tight space.
Airfreight: In general, as space tightens globally, rates and fuel surcharges are on the increase.

Customs Update - Asbestos found in imported stone tiles:

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:49:00 GMT

Asbestos risk in imported stone tiles
In late 2009, a home renovator in New South Wales noticed the decorative tiles he was using created an unusual dust when cut. The renovator contacted WorkCover NSW, who determined the tiles were made from tremolite, a mineral that can release asbestos particles when cut or crushed.
Tremolite, often described as “snow white”, is a pure white stone and one of six minerals that can create asbestos particles.

Asbestos particles are extremely thin and fibrous crystals that can lodge in the lungs. When inhaled in sufficient quantities, asbestos particles can cause serious illnesses including mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer infecting the protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs.

These particular tiles were manufactured from tremolite stone mined in China. Based on the tests conducted so far, Customs & Border Protection believes at least five Chinese companies have supplied tremolite tiles to Australian importers. The tests also confirmed at least some of the tiles contain pockets of microscopic tremolite fibres.

Customs and Border Protection are still determining whether the fibres meet the technical definition of asbestos and if they are prohibited imports under the Prohibited Imports Regulations. In the meantime, we are taking a safety first approach to protect the Australian community from this potentially serious health hazard.

Compliance Assurance is targeting imports of stone products from China (into any port) and calling for commercial documents. When appropriate, we are ordering physical examinations to ensure any tremolite tiles are identified before being released into the community.

To assist us in these efforts, cargo industry members can:
• ensure the “goods descriptions” on cargo reports and import
declarations completely and accurately describe any stone
products imported from China;
• classify such goods correctly;
• respond promptly and supportively to Customs and Border
Protection enquiries about specific consignments;
• ensure clients importing stone tiles or similar products from China
are aware of this serious health issue;
• alert Customs & Border Protection if any suspect goods pass
through the import cargo chain; and
• ensure cargo handlers are protected from dust generated from
broken or disturbed tremolite tiles.

How big is Australia

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:39:00 GMT

Really? Australia is that big?
Over the years I am still amazed at how many people around the world don’t understand the size of this country. Being asked by Europeans if I could drive them from Melbourne to Brisbane for an afternoon appointment (it’s about a 24 hour drive and only covers half of the east coast) or pop over to Perth for a 1 hour meeting (a 5 hour flight one way) always makes me laugh. See here for a comparison….

This again just shows the size of Australia compared to many, many other countries of the world, despite our minuscule population (by the rest of the world’s standards at least).
This was also highlighted by an article in the Herald Sun Newspaper of July 29 2008, which had a chart of the current population densities of the various states and Territories of Australia, which just confirm this fact.
Despite our huge landmass, the average population density for the whole of Australia is just 2.7 people per square Kilometre. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) which was created out of Farmland over a hundred years ago, roughly halfway between Melbourne and Sydney for no other reason than to be our Capital City and base of The Federal Government and public servants (a great place to them I think), naturally holds the record out of the 8 individual states and Territories, with the impressive figure of 142.1 people per square Kilometre. However when you leave this artificial Territory and get to the real Australia, the next highest, is my own state of Victoria with only 22. 6 people per Square kilometre. From there, it drops to 8.5 for New South Wales and 7.2 for Tasmania. The remaining 3 States and one Territory are all below the national average with West Australia (0.8) and the Northern Territory (0.2) both below one percent.

And for those Americans who are still amazed that we don’t speak German in the Land Down Under, this may help the confusion as they can now see the difference between Austria and Australia. Another point of trivia, Australia has approximately the same land mass as the USA excluding Alaska, and almost the same population and 20% of the economy of California (but we aren’t quite close to bankruptcy…yet).

So a drive from Perth to Brisbane is about the same as San Francisco to Toronto!

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Update

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:45:00 GMT

Since the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement(AANZFTA) commenced in August 2008, importers and brokers have been enquiring about the requirements for claiming preferential tariff treatment for imported goods.
Importers need to a hold a valid certificate of origin (CoO), including the Free on Board (FOB) price, before claiming preferential tariff treatment.

There are cases where intermediaries such as buying agents or distributors do not provide the importer or broker with the CoO or the FOB price because the intermediary does not want to divulge how much they paid for the goods. If this happens to you, you may need to consider different commercial arrangements to take advantage of preferential tariff treatment.

In other cases where there are multiple contracts for sale for the imported goods, the FOB price on the CoO is different to the FOB price on the invoice used by importers and brokers to determine the customs value. This problem may be the result of calculating customs value on the domestic transaction rather than the import transaction.

Follow That Fire Engine Charity Drive

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:12:00 GMT

Bluefreight, in conjunction with our Globalink partners, are pleased to announce major sponsorship of this charitable, Guiness Book of Records attempt to drive a retired Fire Engine around the world raising funds for Cancer Research. Leaving from London July 18, they will travel across Russia, China, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Mexico, Morocco, across the Western Sahara and work their way home. An impressive 26,000 miles, through 28 countries over 9 months.

Check out their website http://www.followthatfireengine.com/.

Bluefreight has arranged free shipping from Singapore to Australia, Australia to New Zealand, and New Zealand to USA with the wonderful support of Partner Shipping line http://www.partnershipping.no/ . The Globalink partners are assisting with the many border crossings, and a special thanks to Mr Sandy Bedi of Jet International in the UK for working on the border crossings in unrepresented countries such as Mongolia.

DDU or DDP?

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:22:00 GMT

DDU or DDP?

We are seeing more and more requests for DDP shipments into Australia recently, which has caused this article. Firstly, what is DDP or DDU?

Simply, DDP is Delivered and Duty Paid to the consignee and DDU is Delivered and Duty Unpaid.

In each instance, all charges from point of origin to door destination are paid by the shipper, the only difference being that Duties and taxes are either included in the prepaid amount (DDP), or those charges are to the account of the consignee ( DDU)

The problem with DDP is that as GST, or VAT, of 10% is applied to the CIF value plus Duty of the goods, and the shipper is paying this, the shipper has no recourse of claiming this back from the Australian Government (unless they own an Australian Entity registered for GST). Therefore the consignee/buyer is paying an inflated landed cost for their goods which in a competitive market, is not a great idea at all. A note to Australian Importers, you can delay the payment of GST by one month if you are on a monthly BAS Statement basis. Check with your accountant if this is suitable for your business. For further information on INCOTERMS (DDU, DDP, CIF etc., refer to our website : http://www.bluefreight.com/incoterms . More information sourced by Warren Worswick, Bluefreight Partner and Senior Broker from Australian Customs in a semi-legal jargon can be viewed here.

Bluefreight Operations Manager Completes Another Difficult Logistical Exercise!

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:02:00 GMT

This month, John Fitzgerald completed one of life’s hardest logistical exercises when he married his long term partner Fiona.

Although the weather was not conducive for many outside photos, we managed to snap this in between downpours as the happy couple emerged from the church.

Congratulations John and Fiona and may you enjoy many years of wedded bliss.

Pressures on Global Shipping Costs

Tue, 11 May 2010 23:47:00 GMT

The Global Financial Crisis brought home the reality that the World’s economies are intricately interlinked. Shipping lines have been hemorrhaging financially, and to survive, last year they dry docked or berthed half their fleets to reduce costs and waited for the world economies to improve. In more recent times, we have seen China commence large growth and we in Australia, have missed most of the GFC fallout backed by our huge commodity exports to China.

What does this mean for rates as they currently stand?

Simple: it is, as usual a case of supply and demand. Volumes have increased in container traffic, yet the shipping lines have not re-launched their mothballed fleets thus causing global space issues and hence higher prices. We do not see this changing in the near future, and in fact, rates ex China for FCL’s are going through General Rate Increases (GRI’s) which are being heavily argued against by major buyers, but are mostly proceeding. Having said that, in recent days we have seen April’s GRI implemented, and days later, lower spot market rates are available. It is Bluefreight’s mission to avail ourselves of the best market rates at any given time.

Given the current economic issues in Europe we hope that the GFC will not re-develop and put further pressure on shipping lines and the Global economy as a whole.

Also at the time of writing this, more volcanic ash is settling over the UK which will further exacerbate the air freight backlogs ex Australia. The current backlogs also highlighted the airlines cashing in on the supply/demand equation and were effectively profiteering by doubling rates.

Bluefreight proudly sponsoring Monash Motorsport.

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:37:00 GMT

Yet another philanthropic event, Bluefreight is sponsoring Monash Motorsport in the annual FISITA Formula SAE World Cup in Silverstone, United Kingdom in July.

This event has scaled down versions of F1 racing cars designed and hand built by University students globally, form Engineering and Design faculties and over 100 teams enter. View Warren and Richard taking the car for a test drive here…

Who is Monash Motor sport?

Monash Motorsport is a university-based initiative compromised of over 50 students from across multiple faculties, based at Monash University's Clayton campus. Our main focus is Formula SAE, which sees the team design and build a single-seat Formula-style racer, and race it against leading universities from across Australia and around the world. We are a non-for-profit organisation, and rely on the funding and assistance from generous businesses in order to remain competitive yearly.

FISITA World Championship

The FISITA World Championship is a great step up from our Australian competition in terms of sheer magnitude and competitiveness. 100 of the world's best teams will be competing in Silverstone, far outnumbering the 25 we see competing each year. This competition is a great opportunity for us to take our fight to the best in the world and show that we are a world-class organisation.

www.monashmotorsport.com

Bluefreight Terms & Conditions

Mon, 03 May 2010 07:32:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Bluefreight Wins International Award...Again!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:49:00 GMT

At the Globalink conference held in Phuket this March 2010, attended by a record number of over 100 members, Richard Dexter was again awarded the annual Mike Miller Contribution Award for service and contribution to the Network for his introduction of initiatives and lifting the Globalink presence globally.

Richard commented on the Award by reflecting that the Globalink Network is only as good as its members, and the more effort we put into the network, working to the power of one, the stronger our network becomes, and this team approach benefits not only the members, but more importantly, our clients.

Follow That Fire Engine

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:13:00 GMT

Bluefreight assists a Guinness Book of Records attempt to raise funds for the fight against Cancer. Commencing later in 2010, a group of intrepid volunteers are attempting to drive across 25,000 miles, 5 continents, 27 countries in 7 months in a retired English Fire Engine to raise funds for 5 cancer charities. Bluefreight was chosen globally to be the co-ordinator of the logistics, particularly with the ocean crossings which we have mostly obtained free of charge from various shipping lines in assistance. This large task, with all the various border crossings, is made possible by drawing on the Globalink members in all the countries involved. In particular, we would like to thank Mr Sandy Bedi of Jet International (www.jet-intl.com) in the UK for handling the majority of the border crossing plans. For further information regarding this wonderful adventure, check out their website http://www.followthatfireengine.com/.

News

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:29:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Sea Cargo Container Dimensions

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:34:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Air Cargo Container Dimensions

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:22:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Incoterms

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:34:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Vehicle Import Application - VSB10_Form09

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:08:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Valuation Service Application

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:13:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Used vehicle refrigeration (aircon) information

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:19:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Importing vehicles into Australia - information brochure

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:21:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Vehicle Importation Guide - Australian Customs

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:24:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:26:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Bluefreight recommended insurance broker

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:30:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Bluefreight customer brochure

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:35:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

MAWB Instructions for Forwarders

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:57:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Bluefreight Ocean Freight Procedure

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:50:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

FCL/LCL Packing Declaration

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:24:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Sample Fumigation Certificate

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:55:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Shipper's Letter of Instruction - Air freight

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:58:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Shipper's Letter of Instruction - Sea freight

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:59:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Bluefreight presentation PDF

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:25:00 GMT

This item has no description. Follow link to view item.

Bluefreight's site update

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:42:00 GMT

Bluefreight's updated site means better service...

Thanks for joining us at our new site. We'll have loads of new features on this new site that will be announced over the coming weeks. Make sure you submit your name and email address so that we can supply you with a login for our new portal. In this portal we'll be providing our clients and prospects alike with all the necessary documentation and industry information to help you import/export your goods as efficiently as possible.

Our main aim for the new website is to provide our treasured partners, clients and potential clients with value. By providing a wealth of online resources coupled with our new website alert functionality, we can react to your needs faster and service you 24/7!

A big thank you to Indietech for redesigning our new site.

Audi Etchells 2009, Bluefreight wins contract

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:45:00 GMT

Bluefreight wins Official Logistics Provider for the Audi Etchells Worlds 2009 Melbourne

Recognized by many yachtsmen as the pinnacle of fleet racing the Etchells Worlds attracts entrants from 9 different overseas countries including the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, China, Burmuda, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, America. The Etchells class is sailed by both professional and ammeter sailor. Many current and past AC boat competitors take part, John Bertrand, Skip Lissiman, Noel Drennan, Mark Bradford to name but a few Australians.

It is estimated that the 2009 Audi Etchells Worlds Melbourne will attract a fleet of 80 boats with approximately 25 of these entries coming from overseas. This event will be the pinnacle of yacht racing held in Australia in 2009 and as such great interest is being shown in the event. Audi Australia have recognized this event as the premier regatta and as such have lent their support as naming rights sponsor with Bluefreight as the Official Logistics Provider.

Bluefreight Wins International Award 2008

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:49:00 GMT

At the recent Globalink conference held in Bali and attended by over 80 members, Richard Dexter was the proud recipient of the inaugural and annual Mike Miller Contribution Award for Service to the Network and for his efforts during the year for introducing a whole range of initiatives.

Richard commented when receiving the Award, "That I am honoured to receive this award from my peers, and in such august company, I am extremley flattered. The reason that this network, Globalink, works better than any of the other networks, is that we all contribute so much for the benefit of all."