Australian Customs has advised that all containerised goods subject to non-commodity reporting requirements shipped on or after 1 July 2018 must be accompanied by a packing declaration that meets the revised requirements.

Please be wary of the alignment of the check boxes (in particular Q2) when using the word document.

UNACCEPTABLE




ACCEPTABLE


Attached are new packing declarations in Word and PDF format. If you have any further queries please don't hesitate to contact one of our friendly staff in the Customs department.

After berthing at Port Botany two weeks ago, the salvage efforts continue for the containers lost overboard the YM Efficiency.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is continuing to work with the vessel owners and its insurers to conduct a sub-sea search of the missing containers. A spokesperson for the Authority advised that the vessel started work this week and the initial sub-sea search will take around five days. This initial search will likely pinpoint the location of some containers and provide the information needed to find any remaining containers on the sea floor. Once the containers are located, AMSA can assess the risk they pose to maritime operations.

Meanwhile the clean up continues with various debris being washed ashore just north of Newcastle.

The Tomax Seattle office is now well and truly up and running and handling more and more cargo every day. Strategically positioned on the North-West Coast, Tomax USA is well placed to handle both USA and Canadian cargo. Our operations include freight, customs, domestic and international road and rail transportation, as well as warehousing and distribution. We’re also pleased to announce the appointment of a new Vice President of Operations, Mr Jacobi Chandler. Jacobi has a wealth of experience in freight forwarding, customs, transportation and warehousing operations. For any USA cargo enquiries please contact Michael Wood (CEO) and the team via email to info@tomaxgroup.com

In the early hours of Monday morning at Port Kembla, bulk carrier Iron Chieftain was unloading dolomite when a fire broke out on the ship's hold. The ship's crew were evacuated after the blaze broke out, with all persons accounted for and no injuries reported.

Shortly after the fire broke out the harbour master declared a port emergency, which suspended all shipping movement within the port until the fire was extinguished. With shipping recommencing and the port reopening at 1130, it is expected to be back on schedule by 1700.

Over 100 firefighters battled the difficult blaze via the wharf and the deck for many hours. Among the firefighting resources were two ladder platforms that were used to battle the blaze from a height of 37 metres.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority advised that inspection of the ship would commence when it is safe to board.

All clients are advised to check if their goods require an import permit to be brought into Australia. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources have advised that goods which require a permit but arrive into the country without one, will be directed for export or required to be destroyed in an approved manner, at the importer’s expense.

Please click here for the direct link to the Agriculture and Water Resources website. If you still require further information please don't hesitate to contact our Industry Assistance Manager Paul Watson on 1300 1 TOMAX.

In line with the ever increasing costs of fuel, Brisbane carriers have been forced to raise their fuel surcharge by 3% effective as of July 2018.

A joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) resulted in the arrest of four men after 30kg of cocaine was found concealed within a shipping container.

On January 8 2018, the ABF examined a shipping container and identified a concealment of a white powdery substance within the structural rail of the container. Upon further investigation, the powdery substance tested positive for cocaine and the matter was then referred to by the AFP.

The AFP deconstructed the container and located approximately 99 packages wrapped in plastic containing a compressed white powder, which also tested positive for cocaine. In a controlled operation by the AFP, the container was then delivered to an address in Brisbane. Four men were arrested and charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

We thought we'd throw in a funny snowcam snap from Mt Hotham taken 2 weeks ago when they were "grooming the runs" also known as "no snow"!!! Thankfully for the snow bunnies out there we've had a fresh dumping of snow in the past week. Happy Winter everyone!