iNFORMER
international trade news
IMPORT+ EXPORT+SEA FREIGHT+AIR FREIGHT+CUSTOMS CLEARANCE+PROJECT LOGISTICS
Auckland 26th August 2016
SOLAS VGM (Container Verified Weights Rule)
Update
It is over two months since the implementation of the new rules covering all packed export containers
from New Zealand, and we can report that almost without exception – the regime has been adopted
with little fuss and minimal or no impact on supply chain deadlines.
Our feedback tells us that no cargo has been refused entry at any New Zealand port terminals, and that
is testament to the preliminary work done by all stakeholders – ports, shipping lines, forwarders,
exporters, local transport operators, and Maritime New Zealand in ensuring the process could be
introduced free of disruption.
Burnard International is currently upgrading weighing capabilities at our own packing facility, and we will
continue to provide VGM declarations for all LCL cargo for our export customers.
Please feel free to contact us if anything is still not clear or you have other questions by talking to your
account manager, or email [email protected]
On the import side – overseas suppliers and our agents - seem to have adopted the new regulations
without any major problems.
If you are purchasing EX Works - the VGM charges will appear on your Burnard Intl invoice. These
charges will vary dependent on the country of origin. For any questions concerning these charges please
contact your customer care or sales representative.
G 20 Summit Hangzhou China
Transport Restrictions
The 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit will be the eleventh G20 meeting. It is planned to be held on 4–5
September 2016 in the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang. It is also the first ever G20 summit to be hosted in
China and the second international summit after Xi Jinping succeeded as the General Secretary of the
Communist Party of China (China's paramount leader) in 2012.
In an effort to reduce congestion, local officials have declared a week-long public holiday to coincide
with the G20 summit and are reportedly trying to convince thousands of residents to leave town.
Shanghai’s Environment Protection Bureau has ordered a wide range of companies from power and
petrochemical plants to logistics firms to shut down between August 24th and September 6th for the
eleventh G20 meet on September 4-5th in Hangzhou.
These measures are expected to cause disruptions in the days leading up to the summit. Due to the
proximity of the G20 venue to the major ports of Ningbo and Shanghai - importers and exporters are
advised to take this into account.
Free Trade Agreements (FTA’s)
A Comprehensive Guide
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), has produced an extremely useful guide to
current FTA’s in force to which New Zealand is a party.
It enables exporters and importers to access current and future duty rates or concessions, and look at
tariff rules.
Check it out at https://tariff-finder.fta.govt.nz/
General Rate Increases Asia to New Zealand
Latest
Most shipping lines have signalled their intention to implement general rate increases (GRI’s) from
Asian ports to New Zealand with effect from sailings on or after 1 September 2016.
The amounts of increase indicated vary greatly across shipping lines – between US$75 and 250 per
TEU.
Please email [email protected] for information about your specific tradelane(s).
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
Season Update
From mid-September 2016- April 2017, MPI will increase targeted interventions for BMSB on FCL
containers from designated Ports in the USA and Italy.
MPI will only increase intervention according to risk information as opposed to a blanket approach on
all areas at the start of the season, and targeted intervention will be used throughout the season to
ensure minimal disruption whilst ensuring optimum biosecurity protection. Accordingly, impacted areas
may be adjusted by MPI at short notice according to changing risk. We will endeavour to keep you
informed of any updates.
BMSB measures remain in place under the existing Import Health Standards requirements for vehicles,
machinery and tyres, in addition to the new measures in the Import Health Standard around new and
used machinery ex USA and associated fumigation requirements.
For more information see http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
Congestion/Peak Season
There is some port congestion in Singapore at present. Indications are it will clear by mid-September.
Ex Asian ports in general – peak season is almost upon us, so we remind importers to make bookings
as far in advance as possible.
Once again we invite you to email [email protected] for information about your specific
tradelane(s).
Last Words
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy.
Spike Milligan
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