Global
Container Services and Shipping Industry News Archive
14th
August 2009 - EORI
This is the new trader identification system from
H M Revenue and Customs, EORI stands for ‘Economic
Operator Registration & Identification’.
This new system came into force in the UK from 1st
July 2009 and its purpose was to have one unique
identification number for all traders which should
be recognised by all EU customs authorities whereby
they can exchange information between EU member
states as well as other government departments.
Whilst all existing regular traders would have already
applied and received their EORI number, many traders
who only ship every few months may not be registered.
All companies and private individuals wishing to
import products into the UK from outside of the
EU must have an EORI number. You should make sure
that any application is made in advance to any goods
arriving into the UK, to ensure that your form can
be processed in time. The Customs form reference
is C220 and can be found on the Customs web site
www.hmrc.gov.uk. Details on how to complete the
form and where to send it are all printed on page
4. For any customers requiring help on completion
of this form, please contact our office on + 44
1394 451200 and ask for a member of the import team.
Applications should take no longer than 72 hours
to process by Customs.
19th
May 2009 - AEO Status
We are pleased to announce that Global Container
Services has commenced its programme to
apply for Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
status. AEO is an international
initiative driven by the need for security of trade
and audited by HM Revenue & Customs. We believe
that by having AEO status, it will
ensure that Global Containers are
able to maintain our quality of service and ensure
that all customers’ freight is handed seamlessly
without delay from door to door. It is expected
that this process will take no longer than 6 months
to fully implement. Further news about AEO will
be given on our news pages, as and when they become
available.
19th
May 2009 - Far East Freight Rates
During
the last 6 months, we have seen the prices for ocean
freight from the Far East, especially
China, tumble. Most if not all carriers are now
reporting major losses, some exceeding USD 100 million
per month. The reductions in the rates have been
as a consequence of two key factors. The current
global economic crisis, where volumes from this
region are reported to be down more than 20% on
last year, has caused the biggest problem. But also
the demise of the Far East Freight Conference (FEFC)
last October, saw shipping lines for the first time
having to work alone in setting parameters for freight
reviews, and associated surcharges. Some carriers
have got this process wrong, and has lead to more
competition than ever. However, with the rates at
a level which is well below the cost of movement
and carriers loosing hundreds of millions of dollars,
it is no surprise that the market is getting ready
for increases over the next few months. Most carriers
are reporting rate restorations from 1st June and
1st July, with some mentioning a Peak Season Surcharge
in August. Traditionally August is the start of
the imports ready for Christmas and carriers may
want to try to impose this surcharge at this busy
time of year. One thing is certain, freight rates
currently are very unstable and validity periods
are being reduced to either 1 month or even vessel
by vessel. Customers will be kept up to date in
the usual way, should any increases become reality.
19th
May 2009 - Changes to Saudi Packing Requirements
Saudi Customs Authorities
have issued new directives that require all cargo
imported to their region to show the Country of
Origin / Made in …… declaration on each
piece of cargo. You must make sure that any markings
made cannot be removed and show the exact country,
and not European Union.
Any consignments which arrive without the correct
markings will be rejected and have to be re-exported
back to origin, with all associated costs for the
account of the shipper.
If you require us to mark your freight correctly,
this can be arranged, but you must advise us at
the time of collection. A small charge will apply
to cover the cost of materials and labour.
6th
January 2009 - AMS for China (Exports)
The
Advanced Manifest System to destinations in China
will start testing from late January through to
March 2009. If successful, it will go live at a
date agreed with Chinese Customs. This will mean
that for any export bookings to China, full shipment
details must be sent with your original booking
24 hours prior to the vessel arrival at the port
of loading. In reality, this will require any shippers
to send this information 96 hours prior to the ETD
of the vessel. Failure to provide correct information
could result in your consignment not being loaded
to the intended vessel and shipped 1 week later.
23rd
December 2008 - Far East Rate Structure
This will be changing for
any sailings after 1st January 2009. Rates will
now be quoted as a ‘lump sum’ and will
be all inclusive of all current surcharges. This
will make it much easier for customers to budget
accurately their transport costs.
19th
September 2008 - Changes to BAF/CAF and UK Terminal
Charges
The antitrust immunity to Liner shipping conferences
(such as Far East Freight Conference etc) for European
Trade will be abolished on the 18th October 2008.
From that date, Conference’s that set rates
for such items as BAF/CAF and Terminal Handling
charges on trade routes to and from the EU will
be prohibited.
This means that Shipping Lines previously limited
by their respective conference will be free to set
their own tariff charges.
We are all aware of the changing BAF/CAF rates,
especially on some markets where they can vary each
month. But a more significant change will be the
UK Terminal Handling Charges. This change is likely
to affect all UK companies involved in international
trade, as the Handling charges for both Imports
and Exports are expected to increase. We are aware
that the current charge levied by the Port Authorities
is, in most cases, more than is recovered by the
Shipping Lines.
As soon as we have more detailed information, we
will update our news page accordingly.
Please contact us if you require further information.
26th
June 2008 - Peak Season Surcharge
The Far East Freight Conference
have now confirmed the Peak Season Surcharge level
for this year. For sailings from 1st August until
17th October 2008, the rate applied will be USD
158 per TEU. This surcharge is applicable to all
movements from Asia, with the exception of Japan.
5th
February 2008 - SAD H
The procedure for declaring goods to H
M Revenue and Customs changed from 22nd January
2008, this effects all UK ports & airports.
This is a major change to the old system, which
has been in place since the 1980's. Software upgrades
& staff training are just two important elements
to ensure a smooth transition to SAD H. Global Containers
are pleased to confirm that all their systems are
fully compliant and it is 'business as usual'.
5th
February 2008 - Crane Collapse
at Southampton Port
A crane which collapsed at Southampton Port on the
18th January, due to high winds, has caused serious
delays over the last two weeks. Due to the delays
in Southampton, some vessels have changed their
port rotation or missed Southampton all together.
5th
February 2008 - UK Port
Congestions Surcharge - UPDATE
We are pleased to confirm that the port congestion
problems have eased recently and therefore the congestions
surcharge has been removed for the time being.
5th
November 2007 – UK Port Congestion Surcharge
The growth in cargo carried by the FEFC into the
U.K. for the first eight months of 2007 has increased
by almost 15% over the same period in 2006, and
has averaged 485 TEUs per day for the year to date.
Together with substantial growth seen in
other trades, this level of increase has created
congestion not only at the major U.K. terminals,
but has also caused congestion of the inland transport
and delivery systems. On occasions, Lines have found
it necessary to by-pass U.K. ports and feed cargo
to the United Kingdom, and in some cases divert
their vessels to non-scheduled ports and equalise
the costs from these ports. This has created even
more congestion for an infrastructure that is already
overloaded. The infrastructure congestion has also
made it very difficult to repatriate much needed
empty containers to Asia.
The FEFC has therefore decided that with effect
from containers discharging on or after 1st December
2007, a surcharge of USD 145 per TEU will be implemented
to all import containers. The costs will be reviewed
after 60 days and adjusted as necessary.
5th
November 2007 – Peak Season Surcharge Update
We would like to remind our customers that the Peak
Season Surcharge currently in force for import containers
from Far East at USD 135 per TEU, has been extended
to 17th February 2008.
5th
November 2007 – Receiving Depots / Warehouse
Storage
We are pleased to confirm that we can now offer
our customers more receiving depots than ever before.
From these locations, we can also provide any short-term
or long-term storage.
Our depots now include: Felixstowe, Brentwood, Southampton,
Manchester, Bradford & Glasgow.
11th
May 2007 – Peak Season Surcharge
The Peak Season Surcharge will begin for sailings
from 1st August 2007 until 15th November 2007 for
cargo loading from Far East Ports (Excluding Japan).
The surcharge will be USD 135 per TEU.
23rd
April 2007 – New Services Introduced
We are pleased to announce three new services for
our seafreight and airfreight divisions. We can
now offer door to door services to and from Dubai,
South Africa & Saudi Arabia.
10th
April 2007 – 20’ Heavy Container Surcharge
With effect for sailings from 15th April, 20’
containers which have a weight exceeding 14 ton
will be subject to a weight surcharge of $ 350 per
container. This surcharge is necessary due to the
use of bigger vessels and the increase of demand
for heavy 20’ containers.
5th
March 2007 – April 1st GRI
The Far East Freight Conference has announced a
General Rate Increase of USD 200 per TEU as from
1st April. We will of course be negotiating with
all our regular carriers to ensure that any increase
is kept to a minimum, customers quotations will
be updated accordingly.
24th
January 2007 – Global Opens Dublin Office
We are pleased to announce that Global Containers
have opened a new office in Dublin.
15th
January 2007 – Equipment Surcharge from North
China
The Far East Freight Conference have announced an
equipment surcharge on 20’ containers loading
from Yantai, Lianyugang, Dalian, Qingdao & Xingang/Tianjin
will increase to USD 150 per container starting
from 1st April 2007.
