NEWS
November /
December 2009 Freight Rates
Remain high with further increases threatened. After record lows in the spring and early summer,
freight rates have increased dramatically with Lines radically reducing
capacity by scrapping tonnage / combining services, rolling containers
and (super) slow steaming. It will hardly cheer you up to know that Airfreight is even worse.
July 2009 - VAT TURN and EORI numbers
HM Customs have chosen to de-register on CHIEF all traders / owners that did not apply for EORI registration. Please contact us if you require assistance to re-register.
Spring /Summer 2009 - Freight Rates
After a precipitous collapse freight rates appear to have stabilised (May / June). Lines are actively mothballing tonnage and sharing ships to radically cut capacity by up-to 50%. It is expected that a new round of rate increases will be attempted during July/August. It remains to be seen if the market will accept this.
January
to March 2009
Advanced Manifest System (AMS) to be introduced for
Imports into China, requiring cargo details to be provided to Chinese
Customs 24hours prior to vessel loading in the UK. The effects are
potentially very onerous and costly and will require substantial
changes to current practices.
CVED
warning - December 2008
UK Port Health authorities once again remind (warn ?)
importers that it is a legal requirement for a CVED to be submitted
prior to a consignment being landed. Failure to comply is sufficient
grounds for the cargo to be refused entry.
UK Terminal & Document charges October / November 2008
During
October 2008 Liner conference agreements on trade routes to
and from the EU were prohibited. Lines must calculate and set their own
CAF/
BAF/ Surcharges and Terminal handling charges independently. Those
buying CIF UK Port should be aware that UK Terminal Charges and
document charges have INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY (Typical standard UK
terminal charges are now in the range of GBP 100 - 120 per container).
Simplified IPR - 1st October 2008
If you import regularly to a simplified IPR you must apply for Full IPR authorisation. The Customs CHIEF system has been profiled to query regular simplified IPR importers.
ERTS Removal - Full T1 Bond required
From 1st January 2009 a full T1 Bond Guarantee is required to remove cargo from the quay to an inland depot - such as an ERTS. Previously a 'Deed of Undertaking' was acceptable. Please contact this office if you need further information.
Peak Season Surcharge Postponement 2008
Following
a decline in volumes Shipping Lines operating the Asia - Northern
Europan routes have postponed the implementation of the Peak Season
Surcharge until further notice.
Vehicle Booking Systems 2008
Vehicle Booking systems are now in operation at the Ports of Felixstowe, Tilbury and Southampton. Please contact this office if you need assistance / advice.
NEWS ARCHIVE
Phytosanitary controlled Plant Health Material Spring 2008
Defra
have introduced changes to the way it handles plant health imports that
require a phytosanitary certificate. Importers and their agents will be
required to register and use the RPAi PEACH system to inform the PHSI
of the arrival of their goods. DEFRA
advise that failure to pre-notify imports will result in severe delays
in clearance, with goods being held at points of entry.
RHIDES - 'No card, no container'
The
RHIDES (Road Haulier IDEntity System) will be fully implemented at
all major UK ports during 2008/2009. All drivers must be in possession of a
valid RHIDES card to gain access to the terminals with Ports implementing a 'No Card, No Container' policy - please be advised
accordingly.
Value for VAT rates
From 14th November 2005 HM Customs and BIFA have agreed new VAT valuation (taxable amounts) to be shown on Import Customs entries. The amounts are to be used when the actual costs of taking a consignment from its place of arrival to final delivery are not known. The rates replace those used since 1996:
- Airfreight GBP £0.40 per kilo, minium GBP £100 per consignment.
- Surface Freight (Groupage) GBP £90 per gross weight tonne plus GBP £80 documentation minimum GBP £170 per consignment.
- Surface Freight (Full Loads) GBP £550 per full load (container).
The Importer/ agent has the option of using the actual amount (if known)- but this must be accurate or post clearance action may be taken by HM Customs. For further information refer to www.hmrc.gov.uk or contact the HMRC National Advice Service on telephone .0845 010 9000.
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