Content

A.J.BROWN MOVES TO NEW PREMISES

As at March 07th 2011, A.J.Brown will be located in new premises just around the corner at: Unit 6, 17 Airpark Drive, Airport Oaks, Auckland International Airport, Auckland. All other contact details remain the same. Please feel free to visit us when you're out this way.

MAFBNZ UPDATE WOOD PACKAGING STANDARD EFFECTIVE 01st NOVEMBER 2009

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has issued the following Import Health Standard as final: Wood Packaging Material from All Countries. This amendment of the Import Health Standard is dated 01st November 2009, and replaces the previous version dated 01st May 2006.

The IHS can be viewed at the following website. You can access it via this link:

FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF SEA CONTAINER AUDITING TO COMMENCE ON 09TH FEBRUARY 2009

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has been conducting Level 1 (Baseline) import sea container audits for the past three years, to establish and monitor biosecurity contamination rates, wood packaging compliance and cargo tariff code compliance associated with imported sea containers.

FROM 09th FEBRUARY 2009 if biosecurity contamination is found on a sea container; or wood packaging or cargo are found to be non-compliant during a Level 1 audit, an increased audit regime will be put in place.

The increased audit level will be 100% and will remain in place until five successful audits have taken place or a period of 12 months has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

100% auditing is targeted at the overseas exporter/supplier. This means that more than one NZ Importer may be affected by a single audit failure and incur increased costs.

MAFBNZ activites relating to 100% (enhanced level) sea container auditing will be fully cost recovered. Level 1 (baseline) auditing will continue to be funded by MAF through the sea container levy.

Where a low level of contamination is detected MAFBNZ inspectors have the discretion to decide if an audit failure has occured or if the contamination is to be recored and no further action taken.

Audit failures relating to transitional facilities and accredited persons will continue to be referred to MAFBNZ Biosecurity Officers for further action.

Examples of Non-Compliance that may lead to a 100% regime include:

- the presence of internal or external contamination that, in the opinion of an inspector, would render the container quarantine declaration invalid.
- undeclared wood packaging material
- wood packaging that is not clean and pest free
- wood packaging that does not meet the requirement of the Import Health Standard for Wood Packaging Material from ALL Countries. (ISPM15)
- prohibited packaging material
- undeclared cargo.

For more information please visit the MAFBNZ website. You can access it via this link:

MAF TO INTRODUCE SECOND PHASE OF CONTAINER AUDITING

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) are to start their second phase of Auditing Imported Sea Containers in New Zealand. This will effect all of you whom currently and may in the future Import your shipments in a FCL Container. Please go to the below link and read the information that has been circulated by MAFBNZ. Some of you may have already seen it if you you subscribed yourselves to receive MAFBNZ newsletters. For more information please visit the MAFBNZ website. You can access it via this link:

PROPOSED STANDARDS FOR IMPORTERS OF FOOD

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is inviting all interested parties to make submissions on two new proposed standards. The Standards will apply to importers of food for human consumption that is to be sold. The Standards are intended to be the first step to the implementation of recommendations, adopted by Government, in response to the NZFSA 2004 Imported Food Review. For more information on the details and background to the review see the NZFSA website. You can access it via this link:

NEW FOOD IMPORTS PROGRAMME FOR NEW ZEALAND

Government recently approved the release of information on NZFSA's new imported food programme. The new programme will be implemented over the next two years and brings the process of importing food more into line with the proposed new domestic food regime. The imports portfolio section of NZFSA's website has been updated and contains more information on the new imports programme. You can access it via this link:

MAF CONFIRMS INCREASED CHARGES

Further to earlier advice MAF has now confirmed increased charges for MAF inspections, levies, etc. effective September 7th. This CBAFF notification (pdf 89kb), and this NZ Customs Fact Sheet (pdf 508kb) have details.

NEW RULES OF ORIGIN FOR NZ AND AUSTRALIAN EXPORTERS

NZ Customs has recently advised that exports between the two countries will use "change of tariff classification" (CTC) rules for determining Origin (and hence Duty) in preference to the current "50% local content" rules from January 2007.

The CTC rules are being adopted in preference to the 50% local content rules in the formulation of the increasing number of preferential trade agreements being negotiated by New Zealand, recent examples being with Thailand, Brunei, Chile and Singapore. A major advantage of these CTC rules is that the origin status is not at risk of being affected by price and exchange rate movements. Input costs will have no effect on the origin.

While these rules are expected to benefit New Zealand exporters, it can be very difficult to gain sufficient documentary evidence to qualify for the preferential classifications. Every party in the supply chain contributing to the cost of an article must supply to NZ Customs very detailed information regarding their own cost inputs, which they may not be able to do, or may not wish to do.

The new rules will not apply to men's and boys' structured clothing, eg. suits, jackets and trousers. Traders can, if they wish, continue to use the 50% rule until January 2012 if it suits them.

More details are currently being formulated and will be made available later this year.

This NZ Customs web page contains all the information so far released.

Please feel free to call your AJ Brown Customs Broker if you would like to discuss this matter.

WOOD PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS NOW IN FORCE

MAF has announced that effective May 1st, 2006 New Zealand has adopted the International Import Health Standard ISPM15 designed to avoid the introduction of pests via wood packaging used in air and sea freight shipments. Non-compliance could result in significant cost to you so please ensure the packaging manufacturers you and your overseas suppliers use are approved and now complying with these Standards. Please also refer to our previous article on this issue. This MAF website explains actions MAF will take with non-complying cargo.

NEW AND INCREASED MAF CHARGES PROPOSED

MAF is inviting comment on it's proposed new and revised charges, which will increase costs for all affected Importers and Exporters. Submissions close on May 24th, 2006, so it would pay to at least have a read of the Summary which you can find here.

If you would like to attend a seminar on the proposals, MAF is arranging them in each of the main centres during April and May. Auckland's are at 10am and 2pm on April 27th at The Heritage on Hobson Street. For more details of these please email larissa.banks@maf.govt.nz .

HAVE YOUR SAY ON NEW WOOD PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS EXPECTED MAY 1ST, 2006.

MAF has asked affected parties to have a say on the amendments to the Import Health Standard covering Wood Packaging requirements, currently being revised in accordance with recent international practices.

These new requirements are expected to be implemented on May 1st, 2006 and will require all importers and exporters to consult with their freight providers well ahead of this date to ensure their shipments will be packaged in accordance with the new rules. Any consignment (containerised or non-containerised) arriving in New Zealand after that date will need to have had it's wood packaging treated, or the shipment may be reshipped or destroyed, entirely at the discretion of MAF.

So please read the information provided by MAF at this web site (article at bottom of that page) and email your comments to plantimports@maf.govt.nz by April 18th, 2006.

Exporters should also read the information linked to our earlier Wood Packaging news article (below) if they haven't already done so.

NEW ZEALAND CUSTOMS TO INCREASE COSTS TO IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS?

New Zealand Customs is currently reviewing the way its operations are funded, specifically with regard to the prospects of further increases in levies to Importers and Exporters.

Earlier this year you were invited to complete a brief on-line survey which closed February 20th, 2006. Although the survey is no longer available you may still be interested in the discussion. This NZ Customs web page has more details ...

DO THE NEW WOOD PACKAGING RULES AFFECT YOU?

New Wood Packaging requirements may see your shipments rejected outright and returned to you by the country of destination, at your cost.

The latest ISPM15 anti-pest international standard has been adopted by 13 of New Zealand's major trading partners so far, and requires higher levels of documentation and branding of timber materials used in packaging international consignments.

It affects all shipments entering or leaving New Zealand, and covers items as pallets, crates and any pieces of wood used as bracing, packing, etc. You should at least read our brief summary on the topic and speak to your AJBrown Customs Broker any time you have any concerns about how this affects you.

A brief summary is available to view/download here (367k pdf)

For more detailed information follow these links:

MAF’s web page listing our major trading partners and their current practices

MAF’s web page discussing requirements for wood packaging entering New Zealand

List of registered manufacturers of ISPM15 compliant wood packaging material

Technical Details of ISPM15 (including mark requirements and packaging definitions)

The US Customs and Border Control web site on this topic

NEW SECURITY SCREENING CREATING DELAYS AT NZ PORTS AND AIRPORTS

The NZ Customs Service has recently commenced x-ray screening of many import and export shipments (both containerised and non-containerised) at NZ ports and airports. These inspections have introduced further delays into the goods clearance process (often a day or two) and sometimes extra cost, so it is important for both importers and exporters to bear in mind the possibility of these delays and costs when planning their shipments. This NZ Customs web page has more details of the new inspection services ...

NZ FOOD AND SAFETY AUTHORITY REVIEW UPDATE

In April 2004 the NZ Food and Safety Authority published an update regarding their ongoing review of the rules surrounding New Zealand's importation of food and food-related products. This NZFSA web update has more details ...

		News
		A.J.BROWN MOVES TO NEW PREMISES As at March 07th 2011, A.J.Brown will be located in new premises just around the corner at: Unit 6, 17 Airpark Drive, Airport Oaks, Auckland International Airport, Auckland. All other contact details remain the same. Please feel free to visit us when you're out this way. MAFBNZ UPDATE WOOD PACKAGING STANDARD EFFECTIVE 01st NOVEMBER 2009 MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has issued the following Import Health Standard as final: Wood Packaging Material from All Countries. This amendment of the Import Health Standard is dated 01st November 2009, and replaces the previous version dated 01st May 2006. The IHS can be viewed at the following website. You can access it via this link: FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF SEA CONTAINER AUDITING TO COMMENCE ON 09TH FEBRUARY 2009 MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has been conducting Level 1 (Baseline) import sea container audits for the past three years, to establish and monitor biosecurity contamination rates, wood packaging compliance and cargo tariff code compliance associated with imported sea containers. FROM 09th FEBRUARY 2009 if biosecurity contamination is found on a sea container; or wood packaging or cargo are found to be non-compliant during a Level 1 audit, an increased audit regime will be put in place. The increased audit level will be 100% and will remain in place until five successful audits have taken place or a period of 12 months has elapsed, whichever occurs first. 100% auditing is targeted at the overseas exporter/supplier. This means that more than one NZ Importer may be affected by a single audit failure and incur increased costs. MAFBNZ activites relating to 100% (enhanced level) sea container auditing will be fully cost recovered. Level 1 (baseline) auditing will continue to be funded by MAF through the sea container levy. Where a low level of contamination is detected MAFBNZ inspectors have the discretion to decide if an audit failure has occured or if the contamination is to be recored and no further action taken. Audit failures relating to transitional facilities and accredited persons will continue to be referred to MAFBNZ Biosecurity Officers for further action. Examples of Non-Compliance that may lead to a 100% regime include: - the presence of internal or external contamination that, in the opinion of an inspector, would render the container quarantine declaration invalid. - undeclared wood packaging material - wood packaging that is not clean and pest free - wood packaging that does not meet the requirement of the Import Health Standard for Wood Packaging Material from ALL Countries. (ISPM15) - prohibited packaging material - undeclared cargo. For more information please visit the MAFBNZ website. You can access it via this link: MAF TO INTRODUCE SECOND PHASE OF CONTAINER AUDITING MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) are to start their second phase of Auditing Imported Sea Containers in New Zealand. This will effect all of you whom currently and may in the future Import your shipments in a FCL Container. Please go to the below link and read the information that has been circulated by MAFBNZ. Some of you may have already seen it if you you subscribed yourselves to receive MAFBNZ newsletters. For more information please visit the MAFBNZ website. You can access it via this link: PROPOSED STANDARDS FOR IMPORTERS OF FOOD The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is inviting all interested parties to make submissions on two new proposed standards. The Standards will apply to importers of food for human consumption that is to be sold. The Standards are intended to be the first step to the implementation of recommendations, adopted by Government, in response to the NZFSA 2004 Imported Food Review. For more information on the details and background to the review see the NZFSA website. You can access it via this link: NEW FOOD IMPORTS PROGRAMME FOR NEW ZEALAND Government recently approved the release of information on NZFSA's new imported food programme. The new programme will be implemented over the next two years and brings the process of importing food more into line with the proposed new domestic food regime. The imports portfolio section of NZFSA's website has been updated and contains more information on the new imports programme. You can access it via this link: MAF CONFIRMS INCREASED CHARGES Further to earlier advice MAF has now confirmed increased charges for MAF inspections, levies, etc. effective September 7th. This CBAFF notification (pdf 89kb), and this NZ Customs Fact Sheet (pdf 508kb) have details. NEW RULES OF ORIGIN FOR NZ AND AUSTRALIAN EXPORTERS NZ Customs has recently advised that exports between the two countries will use "change of tariff classification" (CTC) rules for determining Origin (and hence Duty) in preference to the current "50% local content" rules from January 2007. The CTC rules are being adopted in preference to the 50% local content rules in the formulation of the increasing number of preferential trade agreements being negotiated by New Zealand, recent examples being with Thailand, Brunei, Chile and Singapore. A major advantage of these CTC rules is that the origin status is not at risk of being affected by price and exchange rate movements. Input costs will have no effect on the origin. While these rules are expected to benefit New Zealand exporters, it can be very difficult to gain sufficient documentary evidence to qualify for the preferential classifications. Every party in the supply chain contributing to the cost of an article must supply to NZ Customs very detailed information regarding their own cost inputs, which they may not be able to do, or may not wish to do. The new rules will not apply to men's and boys' structured clothing, eg. suits, jackets and trousers. Traders can, if they wish, continue to use the 50% rule until January 2012 if it suits them. More details are currently being formulated and will be made available later this year. This NZ Customs web page contains all the information so far released. Please feel free to call your AJ Brown Customs Broker if you would like to discuss this matter. WOOD PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS NOW IN FORCE MAF has announced that effective May 1st, 2006 New Zealand has adopted the International Import Health Standard ISPM15 designed to avoid the introduction of pests via wood packaging used in air and sea freight shipments. Non-compliance could result in significant cost to you so please ensure the packaging manufacturers you and your overseas suppliers use are approved and now complying with these Standards. Please also refer to our previous article on this issue. This MAF website explains actions MAF will take with non-complying cargo. NEW AND INCREASED MAF CHARGES PROPOSED MAF is inviting comment on it's proposed new and revised charges, which will increase costs for all affected Importers and Exporters. Submissions close on May 24th, 2006, so it would pay to at least have a read of the Summary which you can find here. If you would like to attend a seminar on the proposals, MAF is arranging them in each of the main centres during April and May. Auckland's are at 10am and 2pm on April 27th at The Heritage on Hobson Street. For more details of these please email larissa.banks@maf.govt.nz . HAVE YOUR SAY ON NEW WOOD PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS EXPECTED MAY 1ST, 2006. MAF has asked affected parties to have a say on the amendments to the Import Health Standard covering Wood Packaging requirements, currently being revised in accordance with recent international practices. These new requirements are expected to be implemented on May 1st, 2006 and will require all importers and exporters to consult with their freight providers well ahead of this date to ensure their shipments will be packaged in accordance with the new rules. Any consignment (containerised or non-containerised) arriving in New Zealand after that date will need to have had it's wood packaging treated, or the shipment may be reshipped or destroyed, entirely at the discretion of MAF. So please read the information provided by MAF at this web site (article at bottom of that page) and email your comments to plantimports@maf.govt.nz by April 18th, 2006. Exporters should also read the information linked to our earlier Wood Packaging news article (below) if they haven't already done so. NEW ZEALAND CUSTOMS TO INCREASE COSTS TO IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS? New Zealand Customs is currently reviewing the way its operations are funded, specifically with regard to the prospects of further increases in levies to Importers and Exporters. Earlier this year you were invited to complete a brief on-line survey which closed February 20th, 2006. Although the survey is no longer available you may still be interested in the discussion. This NZ Customs web page has more details ... DO THE NEW WOOD PACKAGING RULES AFFECT YOU? New Wood Packaging requirements may see your shipments rejected outright and returned to you by the country of destination, at your cost. The latest ISPM15 anti-pest international standard has been adopted by 13 of New Zealand's major trading partners so far, and requires higher levels of documentation and branding of timber materials used in packaging international consignments. It affects all shipments entering or leaving New Zealand, and covers items as pallets, crates and any pieces of wood used as bracing, packing, etc. You should at least read our brief summary on the topic and speak to your AJBrown Customs Broker any time you have any concerns about how this affects you. A brief summary is available to view/download here (367k pdf) For more detailed information follow these links: MAF’s web page listing our major trading partners and their current practices MAF’s web page discussing requirements for wood packaging entering New Zealand List of registered manufacturers of ISPM15 compliant wood packaging material Technical Details of ISPM15 (including mark requirements and packaging definitions) The US Customs and Border Control web site on this topic NEW SECURITY SCREENING CREATING DELAYS AT NZ PORTS AND AIRPORTS The NZ Customs Service has recently commenced x-ray screening of many import and export shipments (both containerised and non-containerised) at NZ ports and airports. These inspections have introduced further delays into the goods clearance process (often a day or two) and sometimes extra cost, so it is important for both importers and exporters to bear in mind the possibility of these delays and costs when planning their shipments. This NZ Customs web page has more details of the new inspection services ... NZ FOOD AND SAFETY AUTHORITY REVIEW UPDATE In April 2004 the NZ Food and Safety Authority published an update regarding their ongoing review of the rules surrounding New Zealand's importation of food and food-related products. This NZFSA web update has more details ...