- CBFCA News Update
- Training and Professional Development News
- Customs News
- Biosecurity News
- Maritime News
- Aviation News
- Around the Regions
1. CBFCA News Updates
Regional CPD Events
The CBFCA will be providing you with a fantastic opportunity to obtain 30 CPD points via two Regional CPD events throughout the year.
Registrations for the
Queensland,
New South Wales and
Western Australia events are now OPEN!
Please see below for all of the respective dates for the Regional CPD events and mark your diaries!
New South Wales
Saturday 2nd May – Novotel Hotel, Brighton Le Sands
Saturday 17th October – Sheraton on the Park, Sydney (2nd day of National Conference)
Victoria
Saturday 30th May – Crown Promenade, Southbank
Saturday 15th August - Crown Promenade, Southbank
Western Australia
Saturday 16th May – Rendezvous Hotel, Scarborough Beach
Saturday 1st August – Rendezvous Hotel, Scarborough Beach
Queensland
Saturday 13th June – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Saturday 29th August – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
South Australia
Saturday 20th June – Lakes Resort Hotel, West Lakes
Saturday 19th September – Lakes Resort Hotel, West Lakes
2. Training and Professional Development
New training offerings available
- Mid-semester enrolments for units starting in April are now open. This is particularly relevant for anyone who wanted to enrol for this semester and though they had missed the opportunity to do so
- Diploma of Customs Broking available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). CBFCA creates a simple but effective method for currently licensed customs brokers, or experienced industry personnel, to achieve the latest Diploma through RPL
- Compiler/classifier Skill Set released that recognises key role and provides targeted, nationally recognised training and assessment for compiler/classifiers
Upcoming CPD events
- Revised CPD Scheme started on 1 April and incorporates now just two Streams making the process for attaining CPD points much simpler
- Critical update on the TCO Scheme is a must-see presentation in April given the concern expressed by members and clients about this process
- Regional CPD events coming up for members in May and June. These events will deliver a minimum of 15 CPD points
3. Customs
CBFCA Board of Directors meeting 6 March 2015
Development of policy work for presentation to the ACBP as to:
- Trusted Trader Industry Advisory Group
- Corporate and individual customs broker licensing issues linked to continuing professional development, acquired experience, professional indemnity insurance, and strict liability offences
- Customs and AusCheck legislation (organised crime and other measures) Act 2013, Customs regulation (1 April 2015) and Customs Administration Act (1 July 2015) replacement
- Customs legislation reviews and the submissions of comments to Senate enquiries
- Review of existing ACBP policy and process on refund applications on import declaration lines (other than those related to the refund) and legislative authority as to such action
- Tariff Concession Orders as to change in practice, revocation arrangement, interpretation of Administrative Appeals Tribunal decisions, meetings with ACBP Industry Engagement and information session for members
- Redraft of Trading Terms and Conditions for Business member use
- Joint Review of Border Fees, Charges and Taxes – 17 September 2014
CBFCA commentary was provided via submissions to Customs and Border Protection addressing key issues on behalf of members.
4. Biosecurity
- Department of Agriculture Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC)
(DCCC) is a committee for the Department of Agriculture (The Department) and international trade and international logistics service providers industries to consider practical and strategic biosecurity related international trade/logistics issues. The DCCC was previously known as the AQIS/Industry Cargo Consultative Committee (AICCC).
CBFCA is a DCCC member and we work with other key stakeholders to ensure that effective biosecurity outcomes are delivered without unnecessary impediments to trade by facilitating efficient and effective biosecurity regulation across the biosecurity continuum.
- Inquiry into the Biosecurity Bill 2014 and Related Bills – January 2014
- Minimum Documentary Requirements and Non-Commodity Information Requirements Policy Review – January 2015
CBFCA commentary was provided via submissions to the Department addressing key issues on behalf of members.
- Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS)
CBFCA representatives participated in the development, testing and implementation stages of this new system that aims to improve the visibility and efficiency of entry management and processing.
In COLS you can:
- Lodge documents for imported cargo online, instead of using email or visiting an office
- Check the status of your lodgement in real time
- Re-prioritise your lodgement without losing your place in the queue
- Request a direction reissue
Benefits of lodging online include:
- Access to a range of services at a time and place that suits you
- Fast secure lodgement
- Consistent and priority based processing
- Electronic record keeping
- Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON)
CBFCA is represented on the BICON Implementation Working Group and has attended numerous national and regional meetings. Some CBFCA members are participating in the assurance testing phases to ensure the system is user friendly upon implementation.
- Review of Non-Commodity Cargo Clearance and AEPCOMM Schemes
CBFCA attended a national workshop held in Canberra by the Department to discuss Training, Continuing Biosecurity Competence for AEPCOMM and NCCC Schemes for customs brokers in the future.
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Emergency measures for break bulk and FCL containerised vehicles, machinery and automotive parts
CBFCA engaged in discussion with the policy division at the Department addressing key logistics issues that impact on industry including the push for revision of tariff items affected by the emergency measures. Regular commentary provided to members via national newsflashes.
5. Maritime
Container Weights
Members should be aware that as of July 2016, the International Maritime Organisation’s adoption of UN convention changes requires shippers to submit a verified gross container weight before loading, without which they would not be loaded. This international ruling, whilst no doubt having a moratorium period, will place extra responsibility already in place with CoR legislation on customs brokers and forwarders to have the necessary paperwork in place in the interest of all in the logistics chain. The CBFCA will keep a watching brief on this matter as it develops to see what requirements might be put in place by Shipping Lines.
Port Representations
Through your Regional Managers and in some states your committee members, you are represented at various Port/Cargo facilitation groups around the country – the West Australian Port Operations Task Force (WAPOTF) and the NSW Ports Cargo Facilitation Committee to name two.
These groups are a forum for Port/Logistics Chain issues to be raised at a level where most associations/regulatory agencies and service providers are represented. If you have issues, raise them at your local level and have them heard at these forums.
6. Aviation
Office of Transport Security
Cargo Working Group 20 February 2015
- United States Transport Security Administration – Australian revalidation process on air cargo security requirements
- World Customs Organisation Technical Experts Group on Air Cargo Security linking customs arrangements and air cargo security initiatives
- Enhanced air cargo examination
- Regulated Air Cargo Agent Transport Security Plan streamlining
7. Around the Regions
Western Australia
- Chain of responsibility legislation issues relating to responsibility for weight determination and provision of data to depots
Queensland
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority Maritime Order 42 referencing gross mass weight of containers, effective 1 July 2016, and a stevedore(s) position as to responsibility of the shipper
Victoria
We are representing and supporting individual and business members in a difficult regulatory environment in dealing with key regulators and industry stakeholders. Regular representation and interface at these regional consultative forums:
- Customs Logistics Chain Consultative Committee
- Customs Service Providers Working Group
- Department of Agriculture / CBFCA Consultative Forum
- Supply Chain Advisory Network
- Port of Melbourne Facilitated Forums
- Supply Chain Advisory Network
- CBFCA Regional Advisory Committee
South Australia
- As the result of the transfer of Ms Jessica Rankin from South Australia to Queensland in her business capacity, effective from 28 March 2015, Jessica has stood down from the position of President South Australia and Director of the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia Inc. (CBFCA). As such, the Board of Directors of the CBFCA, through this expression of interest, is seeking to determine the interest of any member in South Australia, to be considered by the Board, to fill the vacant position pro tem until the Annual General Meeting in October 2015 when the position will be filled by way of the election process of the CBFCA.
If you have an interest in serving and supporting your fellow members in South Australia, please forward your details by 10 April 2015 to: Executive Director, CBFCA at National Office.
New South Wales
We represent and support individual and business members in dealing with key regulators and industry stakeholders, through regular representation and interface at the following regional consultative forums:
- Customs Trade Faciliation Forum
- Department of Agriculture / CBFCA Operational Consultative Forum
- NSW Ports Cargo Facilitation Committee
- Container Movement Road Forum
- CBFCA Regional Advisory Committee