We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and to wish you and your family a safe and Merry Christmas.

Please note below our trading hours during the Christmas and New Year period:

Friday 23rd December: Closing 12:00pm (AESDT)

Monday 26th December: Closed (Boxing Day Holiday)

Tuesday 27th December: Closed (Additional Christmas Holiday)

Wednesday 28th December: Normal Trading Hours

Thursday 29th December: Normal Trading Hours

Friday 30th December: Closed 12:00pm (AESDT)

Monday 2nd January: Closed (Additional New Years Holiday)

Tuesday 3rd January: Normal Trading Hours

November to February can be a trying time for any importer, with Christmas and New Year in Australia, followed by Chinese New Year throughout January, importers need to act urgently to ensure they don't fall prey to delays and cost blowouts.

The New Year period can be a real pain to many small importers, with the Christmas break followed by Chinese New Year significant delays can be experienced on imported goods. Image International offer some advice for the small business importer to help keep get your stock on time and on budget this peak season.

WORK TO LONGER LEAD TIMES

Chinese New Year traditionally marks a peak in trade as manufacturers work to clear their orders before extended holidays. If you are importing goods, you can expect delays in shipping due to the higher volumes leaving the ports. Where possible bring forward your orders to avoid lengthy delays that can result in disappointed customers and higher costs.

DO QUALITY CHECK ON MANUFACTURING

With factories experiencing peak demand between now and February, it is more important than ever to do QC checks on your suppliers to ensure high quality in manufacturing and that the rush to deliver doesn't result in short cuts to packaging or documentation.

PRE-CLEAR CARGO BEFORE IT LEAVES ITS COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

Pre-clearing cargo allows the importer to streamline the clearance through customs by having all documentation lodged with Customs and DAFF prior to the shipment landing at it final port. Clearance can be time consuming and costly if unprepared. Pre-clearing will ensure a smooth customs process during a busy and stressful period and avoid hefty storage fees if there are any delays or issues with Customs when goods arrive.

KNOW THE COSTS AND BUDGET FOR THEM

If a supplier has quoted for goods and shipping to Australia, this doesn't mean port and terminal charges in Australia are included ensure you check and ask the question to avoid a nasty shock on arrival.

Image International handles the entire process from end to end from suppliers door to the importer or end consumers door. Using our extensive experience and knowledge in Customs Law, capitalizing on preferential duty rates under tariff concessions and Free Trade Agreements, Image International ensures fees and taxes are the lowest possible for the Australian Importer.

We also offer additional services including audits on backdated shipments which may enable the importer to claim reimbursements on duty and taxes overpaid. Further to this we also offer full supply chain consultation and personal manufacturer visits on behalf of customers.

As reported by FTA this morning, major delays are expected to flow through to industry as a result of this week's Protected Industrial Action (PIA). We have attached a copy of the newsflash for your information.

Importantly, extended storage arrangements are in place with Stevedores but to qualify for the arrangements, import declarations MUST be lodged 24hrs prior to vessel arrival. In order to ensure we have have adequate time to complete the necessary clearance formalities, we strongly advise all clients to provide clearance documents at least 3 days prior to vessel arrival.

Should you require further information regarding this update, please contact your local Image International sales or customer service representative.

The US Transport Security Administration (TSA) has determined that current air cargo security arrangements under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development do not meet their legislated requirement specifically for piece level screening.

TSA has agreed to a transition time frame of July 1, 2017 for 100% piece level screening.

There will be a two part response by the Department of Transport and Industry:

Firstly is the introduction of Enhance Air Cargo Examination (EACE) notice specifying standard for piece level screening. 100% piece level screening commenced on the express freight division as of the 1st November 2016.

Secondly is the establishment of a Known Consignor scheme so exporters can clear cargo at the source before delivery to the airline freight terminals.

Moving forward exporters with robust security processes may be well placed to become know consignors, applications open from 1st November 2016. Cargo will need to be carried securely in order to be accepted by the airport cargo terminal operator or exporters can elect to have their cargo screen. Image International will be working closely with its customers and the OTS/IATA to identify and determine the best options for their individual needs.

If you have any questions, queries or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact your Image International representative.

We have received advice from the Financial Controller of Hanjin that security deposits will be returned to impacted parties on the 4th of November, as long as sufficient information has been provided. Hanjin will be notifying those parties who have not provided sufficient information. With recent events it's more important than ever that shipping lines are responsive and transparent in their dealings with cargo owners and service providers. If you would like any more information or if you have information that may assist us in our advocacy activities please don't hesitate to contact me scott@tcfinterntaional.com.au

Please be advised that the Ocean Carriers operating the United States southbound services to Australia & New Zealand have announced a General Rate Increase (GRI), effective from 15th October 2016 (Cargo Received Date).

Note - This GRI is in addition to the USA BAF/EFAF increase broadcasted yesterday which comes into effective from the 1st October 2016.

According to the notifications received, the GRI Base rate increase will be as below:

Increase Effective - 15th October 2016:

20' Container - USD 200.00

40' container - USD 400.00

As we have done previously, Image International and our overseas partners will be monitoring the market situation closely and continuing our efforts to mitigate the FCL GRI level.

LCL shipments will subsequently be effected by both the EFAF and GRI Increases as outlined below:

LCL BAF/EFAF Increase - USD 4.00 w/m (effective 1st October 2016 ETD)

LCL GRI Increase - USD 8.00 w/m (effective 15th October 2016 ETD)

We appreciate your support and if you have any questions or require further information regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your sales or customer service representative.

Please be advised that the Ocean Carriers operating the United States & Canada southbound services to Australia & New Zealand have announced an INCREASE in the Bunker Surcharge (BAF/EFAF) effective from 1st October 2016.

According to the notification received, the INCREASE will be as below:

BAF/EFAF increase Effective - 1st October 2016

20' Container - current level USD 250.00 - new level USD 338.00

40' container - current level USD 500.00 - new level USD 676.00

As we have done previously, Image International and our overseas partners will continue to monitor the market situation closely regarding the BAF/EFAF surcharges and will advise any adjustments following the next review period in December.

We appreciate your support and if you have any questions or require further information regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your sales or customer service representative.

The Department of Agriculture, Water & Resources has revised the currently acceptable packing declaration template and the new version will become mandatory from 17 June 2017.

A copy of the revised format is accessible through the below link and is now accepted as a valid packing declaration for all FCL/LCL consignments. On this basis, we advise that the revised format is passed on to all relevant shippers and suppliers and introduced with immediate effect.

Should you have any questions or concerns in relation to the new packing declaration format and its impact, please feel free to contact us on +61 2 8544 1998 at any time and we are more than happy to assist.

Container Weight Verification global requirements as outlined by the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) will begin being enforced as of vessels sailing on July 1, 2016.

For Importers located in Australia, please note that depending on the terms of sale with your suppliers/shippers, fees for both weighing containers and or administration for the filing of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) details with the carriers at origin may be applicable to you from this time forward.

There are no structured global fees for this VGM requirement, as obtaining the VGM is totally dependent on shipper capabilities and specific local market condition at the origin port in order to satisfy this new regulation.

Should you require more specific information or would like to discuss your individual responsibilities as an exporter, please contact your local Image International representative.

As part of the 2015-16 Commonwealth Budget the Government has restructured the import processing charges (IPCs).

The IPCs are cost recovery based and are aimed at improving the integrity of the border while removing cross-subsidisation and delivering efficiencies to industry.

There are two changes being employed to the current IPC arrangement:

Removal of the current price differential between air/post and sea cargo pathways.Introduction of a consistent price differential between electronically and manually lodged declarations to encourage electronic lodgment.

The revised IPCs will come into effect on 1 January 2016, The restructured IPCs as advised by the Australian Border Force can be found at: