Tomax Logistics (M&D Jones Customs Pty Ltd) are very proud to announce that we have become an Accredited Trusted Trader with the Australian Border Force. To become a trusted trader a company must go through an arduous approval process and demonstrate that security and compliance systems are at an excellent standard. Tomax Logistics was one of the very first companies to participate in the Trusted Trader Program and were pioneers in some of the quality systems that are now expected of all Trusted Traders. One of only 18 brokerages in Australia to be accredited, Tomax is now able to provide our clients with priority services and benefits relating to Customs only open to Trusted Traders. For more information please contact Paul Watson on 1300 186 629.

In a shock move, coming only a week after the ACCC advised they were looking into the manner in which container terminals were implementing infrastructure fees, DP World have announced that they are increasing their levies in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. DP World point to rising rental and energy costs as reasons for the increases which will be applied from 1 January 2018. The new surcharges will be as follows, but will be subject to an admin fee added on by transport operators who have to pay the levies up front:
Melbourne: $49.20 + GST per container
Sydney: $37.65 + GST per container
Brisbane: $38.75 + GST per container

John Nguyen has been with Tomax Logistics for almost 7 years, but next Friday 24th November will be his last day here. John is moving on to pursue a career in a different industry and we wish him all the best!! We will miss Pork Roll Thursdays and your easy going nature John!! Replacing John will be Karen McDonald who started with us this week. Karen has vast experience with container transport and is a welcome addition to the team. Karen can be reached via email to karen@tomax.com.au.

The last few weeks have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of air cargo arriving into Australia. Terminals such as QANTAS and Menzies will usually process a flight within 4-6 hours, but as at today the check-in process is taking up to 3 days. Serious delays in deliveries are being experienced as a result. We will continue to push the airlines and their handling terminals for quickest possible outturn of cargo, but please keep these delays in mind when planning your consignments for the next few weeks.

We are seeing an increased number of cases where clients are receiving LCL cargo from China or other global origins on a freight prepaid basis, and are getting severely ripped off on Australian local charges. Clients are often paying more than a $1,000 too much for local charges to the forwarder handling on behalf of the shipper. Please remember, when you have LCL consignments to bring in, if the supplier offers you cheap freight, free freight, or even standard freight, you will still be liable to pay heavy surcharges on the Australian local charges because you do not have a relationship with the forwarder selected. Please speak to Tomax prior to allowing your supplier to arrange your LCL cargo on a freight prepaid basis, and we will show you how you can save serious $$$ by making the right decision. For more information on this please speak to Chris Chalmers or Marc Regan on 1300 186 629.

The new Tomax Live system is now up and running and provides a raft of new features, including 100% live status updates, access to invoices and statements online, and detailed information on your consignments. Your client login credentials have not changed, and you can continue to login via the Tomax website. To access the new system please click here and REFRESH your browser. If you would like a demonstration on how the system can help you closely track your cargo, please email our sales team at sales@tomax.com.au.

Here are a few funnies to help get you to the weekend.

1. A man walks into a bar and says, "Give me a beer before the problems start!"
He drinks the beer and then orders another saying, "Give me a beer before the problems start!"
The bartender looks confused. This goes on for a while, and after the fifth beer the bartender is totally confused and asks the man "When are you going to pay for these beers?"
The man answers, "Now the problems start!".

2. Bob left work one Friday evening. But it was payday, so instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying with his mates and spending his entire wages.
When he finally appeared at home on Sunday night, he was confronted by his angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions. Finally his wife stopped the nagging and said to him, "How would you like it if you didn't see me for two or three days?"
He replied, "That would be fine with me."
Monday went by and he didn't see his wife.
Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results.
But on Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.

3. My friend says to me: "What rhymes with orange". I said: "No it doesn't!"

4. How do you get two whales in a car? Start in England and drive west.

5. What's the difference between a good joke and a bad joke timing.