AFIF MEMBERS SUMMARY BULLETIN 07

Monday, February 26, 2007

AFIF MEMBERS SUMMARY BULLETIN

Dear Firstname,

:: Our Sponsor

:: AIR CARGO

ACCC Review of IATA

IATA Geneva have made changes to the Cargo Agency & Intermediary Program for Australia and presented them to the IATA Cargo Executive Council in Australia for consideration. Our team on this committee have examined the recommendations in consultation with our legal representative and to date are satisfied that clauses relating to excessive and anti-competitive powers of the CASS administration have been removed and would be likely to meet ACCC regulations without further authorisation. There is still some work to be done on the agents 'handbook' and possibly the financial criteria. All changes will be put before the IATA Cargo Agency Conference in Mexico city in March prior to being presented to the ACCC before August 07.

Security - (USA)

On February 13^th, the US Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee approved, by voice vote, a measure that would mandate the screening of all cargo on passenger aircraft within three years of the bill being signed in September this year! Air cargo 'screening' is considered less stringent and less costly then the physical inspection that the US House of Representatives would have liked to mandate. We will keep you posted on developments.

Security - (Australia)

Whilst DOTARS are busy examining and approving the new Transport Security Programs (TSP's) lodged by forwarders, AFIF is involved in DOTARS Aviation Security Advisory Forum / Cargo Working Group, part of which is involved in developing the new RACA Security Training framework. As part of this process, a quality assurance program has been established which will regulate and audit the training providers and assessors. The group is also looking at future technology in regard to cargo examination.The new training program will commence in July 2007 and existing certified personnel will remain current until July 2009 when everybody will be assessed.

AAE request customer feedback

Australian Air Express International are reviewing their front counter and dock processes and prior to implementing any changes,thought it would be pertinent to ask AFIF members for some feedback or suggestions.

They would like to identify the expectations of our member's drivers, house clerks or the operations managers about the documentation that is provided or requested by the AAE office which may be either inadequate or a waste of everyone's time

Comments should be sent to Rob Brown, Intl Cargo Terminals Manager on email: RBrown@aae.com.au and will be treated in confidence.

:: CUSTOMS/ CMR

Compliance Management

Further to much discussion between AFIF and Customs, ACS Compliance Management has been revised and the new process is detailed within ACN2007/3, which can be found by clicking on the following link

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/notices/ACN0703.pdf

We believe that if this process is followed then a much fairer system will be in place. It should remove the need for forwarders to check long lists of apparently late reported shipments, many of which were in fact re-reported after being withdrawn to amend the arrival details.

We would like feedback from members as to whether this new system is actually fairer and works in practice.

Alternate Cargo Reporting Model

Whilst many issues regarding the current ICS system still exist and fixes / workarounds are still being implemented, there is a separate working group formed under the auspices of Michael Carmody, CEO of Customs. This group is tackling one of the recommendations from the Booze Allen Hamilton report into the ICS system and is looking at developing an 'Alternate Cargo Reporting Model'. AFIF is involved with this working group which, in the first instance, is looking at Sea Cargo Reporting. Other models such as those operating in the USA and in parts of Europe are being examined. A draft model has been prepared for further development of a business case. Industry will be consulted widely as the project moves forward. If this is accepted and implemented it will remove many of the headaches currently existing with the complex and detailed cargo report matching system as we know it. Progress!?

:: SEAFREIGHT

Electronic Import Delivery Orders (EIDO)

Further to the announcement regarding the Electronic Import Delivery Order system provided by 1-Stop, industry has been in discussion with Stevedores, Shipping Australia and other parties to fine tune and ensure that wrongful or fraudulent delivery cannot occur. Shipping lines will progressively advise their clients when they join the system and also how they will manage the pin number issuing process. In the early stages, the ability to still print paper delivery orders will be available, or alternatively, users can elect to use a fully electronic pin number only system. Please contact the relevant shipping lines individually to check on access to the system and the process. Please also refer to AFIF bulletins of February 1^st and February 16^th on this subject

Government Amend Part X of Trade Practice Act, 1974

Following the Productivity Commission review into Part X (10) of the Trade Practice Act, as it relates to the Liner Shipping Trade, Government decided to amend rather than abolish this section of the ACT as follows:

Clarify its objectives to ensure that it meets the Government's policy requirements
Remove 'discussion agreements' from its scope to assist with binding negotiations between shippers and ship-owners
Protect confidentiality of individual service contracts between carriers and shippers
Introduce a range of penalties for breaches of procedural provisions in Part X

According to SAL (Shipping Australia Ltd), some of the proposed new definitions could completely change the focus of Part X and convert it into a highly regulated, interventionist regime. Part X will be reviewed again in 2010 under the new training program.

:: GENERAL ISSUES

GST ruling GSTR 2005/6

We are aware that members would be keen to have an outcome on the industry submission to Treasury for a law change in regard to his ruling. Treasury in conjunction with ATO are still considering the various elements of the proposal and any change will not happen in the current sitting of Parliament. Some of the issues regarding overseas billing effect other industry sectors, such as telecommunications. PWC will be discussing a joint approach to try and accelerate the process.

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 !!

:: EVENTS

AFIF Conference 2007

The program for the next AFIF national conference, (to be held between May 23 and 25 in Cairns), is finalised and the registration brochure and program is being printed ready for distribution in the very near future. You have no doubt seen the email advance notice with some of the highlights.

The program is looking very strong and will include many high profile speakers in all areas of our business. We are also delighted to feature Jonar Nader, one of the most powerful and thought provoking presenters in the country. Check out his website http://www.loosefriends.com/ The conference venue will be the magnificent Cairns International Hotel with the benefits of an all-in-one location. Why not extend your stay, bring your families and enjoy the surrounding tropical tourist highlights. Please click here to view the preliminary information and program highlights http://www.afif.asn.au/events_AFIF2007.asp#moreinfo

:: ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL

General

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

Check out the AFIF Website for L atest Industry Info !

Just a reminder that our website is updated daily, with new items added to our front page and archived in relevant News Folder. So please check for the latest info regularly !

:: AFIF TRAINING

AFIF Monthly
2007 Training Bulletin

Book early to avoid disappointment!

International Air Cargo Security		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	19	1	4	3	14 25	18
	MELBOURNE	28	20	12	21	-	5
	BRISBANE	19	1	3	3	6	5
	ADELAIDE		14	-	-	19	-
	HOBART
International Air Cargo Security Awareness		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY			23		17
	MELBOURNE		21			19
	BRISBANE		15				20
	ADELAIDE
Dangerous Goods Acceptance (Air)		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	5-7 FULL	6-8 27-29		16-18	19-21	10-12
	MELBOURNE	13-15	27-29		17-19	5-7	2-4
	BRISBANE	20-22	-		30-2 May	-	2-4
	ADELAIDE	20-22	-		15-17	-	24-26
	PERTH		20-22			26-28	20-22
	HOBART
	CAIRNS
Dangerous Goods Re-Certification		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	8	5	3 19	7 22	13 27	9 31
	MELBOURNE	12	26	11	9	4	17
	BRISBANE	19	-	2	-	5	31
	ADELAIDE	1	13	-	14	-	-
	HOBART
Dangerous Goods Awareness		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY			12			16
	MELBOURNE
	BRISBANE			4
	ADELAIDE
International Export Airfreight Procedures		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY					4-7
	MELBOURNE		5-8
	BRISBANE				14-17
	ADELAIDE
Basic Import Airfreight Procedures		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	20-21		-	1-2	-	-
	MELBOURNE			3-4
	BRISBANE
	ADELAIDE			11-12
Load Distribution & Restraint		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	26	-	-	24	-	-
	MELBOURNE		1
	BRISBANE					7
	ADELAIDE
Claims Procedures		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	22
	MELBOURNE				2
	BRISBANE				27
	ADELAIDE
Basic Import Sea Freight Procedures		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY		12-13	-	-		2-3
	MELBOURNE				15-16
	BRISBANE					19-20
	ADELAIDE
Basic Export Sea Freight Procedures		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY		14	-	-	-	4
	MELBOURNE				17
	BRISBANE					21
	ADELAIDE
Sea Container Pack/Unpack		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	28
	MELBOURNE		19
	BRISBANE				23
Dangerous Goods By Sea		FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL
	SYDNEY	27	-	-	23	27	-
	MELBOURNE			16	-	-	18
	BRISBANE				22
	ADELAIDE		15	-	-	20	15

For immediate confirmation, book all your AFIF training on-line via our website at http://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.

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