Dear {Firstname},
Following receipt of the
attached advice from Toll Dnata Airport Services (TDAS) Melbourne (see
link to the Notice below) and in addition to receiving queries about the
new procedure from members, AFIF has held discussions with TDAS, Melbourne to
clarify the position. The following is a list of the outcomes from
that meeting, which we believe is in line with acceptable industry practices
instituted in most warehouse facilities.
- TDAS
reason for introducing a formalised policy in regard to issuing damage
reports, is to improve the service standards and quality of handling,
surrounding potentially damaged freight. This will serve to assist both
freight forwarders and airlines and seeks to remove ambiguity in this
area.
- The
TDAS advice to freight forwarders stipulates that if damage is not noted
at the time of breakdown/check in and the driver collecting freight asked
for a damage report, as they believe the freight is damaged, then the next
step would be to have the freight forwarder, or surveyor, inspect the
freight at the TDAS facility.
- TDAS
clarified that if no damage report previously existed and the driver asks
for one at point of delivery, then the Terminal Duty Manager would seek to
rectify the situation on the spot. TDAS would resolve this by either
agreeing that there is visible damage and issuing a damage report, or
confirming that there is no visible damage. The driver then has the
option to take delivery or contact the freight forwarder for further
instructions as necessary. This situation has already arisen last weekend
and was handled in this manner by the duty manager.
- If
it cannot be agreed at point of delivery that there is, or is not damage
and the driver can leave the freight at the terminal, the freight
forwarder will then need to engage in communication with the TDAS Terminal
Duty Manager to ascertain the next steps required.
- TDAS is not seeking to
charge customers for storage during the process of determining the damage
status, however TDAS and the freight forwarder and the carrier if
necessary, need to actively communicate to resolve the matter as soon as
possible.
TDAS has further expressed to
AFIF that they wish to be transparent and supportive of the industry and
encourage freight forwarders to contact them if they have any further concerns
around the formalisation of this policy.
Please click here to download the
document
We hope that these points are clear and we ask you to please
circulate this advice to all concerned within your organisation.
Thanks and regards
Brian Lovell
Chief Executive Officer
