Category Archives: News

February Newsletter

Coronavirus Update

We have received further information that some provinces in China have extended the holiday period till February 24th and confirmed, as per our earlier advice, that services and supply of goods are likely to be impacted well into March. Please continue to stay in contact with your suppliers for updates on their working arrangements. As the vessels coming into Australia are reduced, we are likely to see a shortage of containers available for export. We are concerned that shipping lines will be overbooking, due to the high demand, which will result in cancellations and transfers, which ICAL will have no control over. We would like our clients who export to be mindful of the potential delays. For further information, please see below website link. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus

Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement

On February 11th 2020 the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement (PAFTA) entered into force, introducing a new chapter in the economic relationship between Australia and Peru. A Certificate of Origin is the basis for a claim of preferential treatment under PAFTA. This document can be completed by the exporter or an authorised representative of the exporter or producer. For further information on the agreement and determining the originating status of goods and materials, please see below website link. https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/free-trade-agreements/peru

Coronavirus – Further update to extension of Chinese New Year Holiday period

After receiving updates last week of the Chinese government extending their new year holiday until Feb 9, we have now received confirmation that date has been extended again to Feb 17th. We anticipate their return to work and normal operations to be a slow process over the coming weeks, as news reports suggest business’s will be keeping everyone’s health as their main priority. Where possible, employee’s will be allowed to work from home to keep interaction with others, and possibility of infection, to a minimum. Whilst employee’s return to administration work, it is still expected that those involved with physical movement of the cargo will return at a slower rate and this will have a flow on effect to movement of cargo ex China worldwide. As it stands, we anticipate lower capacity and volumes of cargo to last into mid-March. Further updates to follow

Coronavirus update

As you will no doubt be aware, the coronavirus has now been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). A host of provincial governments in China have announced an extension to the Lunar New Year Holiday, which at this stage is Feb 9th, with most returning to work on Feb 10th. Please note this date could change at a moment’s notice, depending on the outcome of the next few days. As the virus spreads, it is impacting the freight industry on a global scale, with both airlines and shipping lines announcing measures to attempt to lock down the virus. For sea freight consignments, the Australian Government has announced that any vessel that sailed from China on or after Feb 1st, must be on the water for a minimum of 14 days before being allowed to berth at any Australian port. You can find up to date information from Maritime Industry Australia in the following link https://mial.com.au/our-work/novel-corona-virus-update For Air freight to / from China, 11 major airlines, including Qantas, have announced they will either cease or reduce their flights to mainland China over February and March Dates may vary between carriers so please contact us if you require more advice around a particular route or carrier. ICAL will continue to monitor the situation and provide relevant updates once known. If you require further information or would like any assistance with reaching your Chinese suppliers, please do not hesitate to contact your ICAL representative.

Chinese New Year Holiday Extended to February 9th

The Chinese government has expanded its effort to contain the coronavirus, extending the Lunar New Year Holiday, in order to keep the public at home. At this stage, the date is extended to the 9th of February. We advise our clients to get in contact with their suppliers in China to confirm there working arrangements during this time. Terminal operations are normal, with the exception of Wuhan, however, we have been advised some factories may delay resumption of work past the 9th of February. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further information as the situation changes.

January Newsletter

Chinese New Year Holiday Jan 24th – 30th

The Chinese New Year Holiday is approaching, with celebrations being held from Jan 24th-30th. Whilst the holiday officially begins on Jan 24th, we expect operations will be winding down at the end of this week, as people begin to head home for the week long holiday. If you have plans to move cargo before the holiday, please let us know now so we can start the booking process.

Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement

The Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (A-HKFTA) will enter into force on 17 January 2020. Whilst Hong Kong does not impose tariffs on Australian products, it has a legal right under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to introduce tariffs on a range of products (including gold) which is the largest export from Australia, valued at $7 billion in 2018. The A-HKFTA provides certainty for Australian exporters that Hong Kong will continue to provide duty free entry. To be able to claim preferential rates under A-HKTA, goods must be entered on or after January 17th 2020. A Declaration of Origin will be the bases for a claim of preferential treatment. We will advise of further developments, as they become available. However, in the meantime, for further information, please see below website link. https://www.abf.gov.au/free-trade-agreements/Pages/hong-kong.aspx

Changes to NICNAS from July 1st 2020

There is now a new Australian Industrial Chemicals Law – Industrial Chemicals Act 2019. This law creates a new regulatory scheme for the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals in Australia (to replace NICNAS). If you do have a registration with NICNAS, please ensure you are aware of the new regulatory scheme. For further information, please see the following website link- https://www.nicnas.gov.au/New-scheme-1-July-2020

Christmas Newsletter

Wishing you a festive holiday season!

The team at ICAL would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your support in 2019, we look forward to continuing to do business together in 2020. If you require any assistance storing your cargo over the Holiday period, please contact your ICAL representative to see how we can assist you. Please note our office will be closed December 25th & 26th and will re open on Friday 27th. We will be closed on January 1st and will reopen January 2nd.

Story Dogs

For the past year, ICAL have sponsored Story Dogs – a nationwide not-for-profit registered charity, helping children in schools improve there literacy. Many wonderful volunteers take dogs into schools to work one on one with children. The accepting, loving nature of dogs gives this program its magic and helps children relax, open up, try harder and have fun while reading to a friendly, calm dog. https://www.storydogs.org.au/

December Newsletter

Increase to the Wharf Infrastructure Fee

Please note for all containers arriving / departing after January 1st 2020 there will be an increase of AUD$49.50 + GST to the Wharf Infrastructure Charge. Whilst we understand these increases are never welcome, unfortunately these charges are incurred at the terminals and are compulsory for ICAL to pay to transit your containers from / to the vessel.

Changes to importing HCFC gas and equipment

From January 1st 2020, the Department of Environment and Energy will introduce changes to the import and manufacture of HCFC gas and equipment. The importation of all types of HCFC equipment (including HCFC aerosols and HCFC fire protection equipment) will be banned, except in certain circumstances, where a licence may be granted. Low volume imports of HCFC equipment without a licence, will no longer be allowed, unless it’s for personal use. There will be no changes to the import of equipment containing synthetic greenhouse gases such as HFCs. For further information, please see the below website link. http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/ozone/publications/quick-facts-hcfc-gas-equipment

Increase to the Biosecurity Fee

The Australian government has expanded the types of biosecurity activities to be recovered under the cost recovery guidelines. The changes will take effect January 1st 2020. Increase to the following charges: Full Import Declaration charge—air from $33 to $38. Full Import Declaration charge—sea from $42 to $49. For further information, please see the below website link. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2019/211-2019

Charity Rally 2019

ICAL recently sponsored one of our clients in a charity event. The car rally is the largest independently run fundraiser for the Cancer Council in Australia. Travelling from Melbourne to Townsville, the event raised more than $2.3 million for cancer research.

https://www.shitboxrally.com.au/blog/box-rallies-shitbox-rally-mystery-box-rally-to-fund-outstanding-cancer-research-projects-nationally/

IMO 2020 Low Sulphur Bunker Adjustment Factor

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will implement a new regulation, effective January 1st 2020, requiring all shipping lines to switch to a cleaner fuel, with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%. Whilst the regulations do not begin until 2020, a major of shipping lines have already begun steps to switch to a low sulphur fuel, or invest in scrubbers for vessels already in service. Scrubbers and exhaust gas cleaning systems are used to remove harmful gasses generated by the vessel engine, in order to minimise environmental impact. As a result of the above, each shipping line will implement a new BAF between early December and January 1st 2020. The price will vary depending on origin/destination, however it is expected to be between USD $150 – $200 per TEU and up to $10.00 per weight / measure for LCL bookings

China National Holiday Notice

There will be a National Holiday in China from October 1st – October 7th, during this time, businesses will be closed. If you are expecting a shipment during this period, please ensure you have received the commercial documents required, in order to avoid any delays.

30th Anniversary

To our valued clients,

We are extremely proud to announce that this month, ICAL celebrates its 30 year Anniversary. Our story began in 1989, as a small start-up company founded by friends and originally set up as a customs broking and consulting firm based in Melbourne. It was, by nature and experience of the founders, designed to deliver a high calibre of professional service in the customs industry. From early on, the company experienced positive growth and 1995 saw the company become a fully accredited IATA Cargo Agent, which was the catalyst that saw the company transition from its traditional holding as a Customs Brokerage to include a dedicated Freight Forwarding operation. Over the course of the next few years, the company began handling large volumes of cargo, which necessitated the establishment of a Customs and Quarantine Licenced Bond Store. The company continued to go from strength to strength through the early 2000’s, with the opening of two interstate offices earlier this decade. Newcastle began in 2011 to service an expanding client base in the Hunter region, and Sydney followed soon after in 2013. Since this time, ICAL has continued to expand its global connections and service offerings, with a vast range covering freight forwarding and logistics management, trade compliance, customs brokerage, warehousing and third-party logistics. This is in addition to also being one of Australia’s leading sellers of plastic pallets, and operating a successful e-commerce fulfilment business from our Melbourne sites. Our aim at ICAL always has been and will continue to be a focus on establishing rich, long-term relationships, and providing the best service for you, your suppliers and your clients, whomever and wherever they are. In July 2019, ICAL acquired Australian owned Smith Lewis & Staff Pty Ltd, a well-run and respected company in the forwarding and customs industry for over 33 years with similar values to our own. This places our team at 55 staff members and with the addition of a second facility in Melbourne, a total warehouse coverage of 6500 sqm. The expansion allows us to further assist our clients and demonstrates our ability to grow with our client’s needs. On behalf of all our staff at ICAL, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support. Warm regards, Mark Coleman & Andrew Grima Company Directors