| Headline News Items: |
| Tomax International Logistics Shanghai - NOW OPEN !! |
| GRI sticks for North Asia / South Asia to apply small GRI from 1st May |
| BAF increase set for 1st June |
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Introducing Tomax International Logistics Shanghai |
The Tomax Group is proud to announce the grand opening of our new Shanghai office. This new office located in Northern Shangahi is 100% owned and operated by Tomax and is committed to offering the best possible customer service. Please remember to advise your suppliers to make their North China bookings with our new office in future.
Tomax International Logistics Shanghai
Room 601-602, No. 198 Siping Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai
Phone: (021) 6522 2848
Seafreight Bookings: Mr James Shu - james@tomaxlog.com.hk
Airfreight Bookings: Mr Oliver Shi - oliver@tomaxlog.com.hk
Sales Enquiries: Mr Chris Wong - wongy@tomaxlog.com.hk
Website: www.tomax.com.au/sha
Chinese Website: www.tomax.com.au/sha/cn
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| Shipping Lines apply GRI for North Asia - Eventually |
After several days of delayed decision making, shipping lines have applied a General Rate Increase to the North Asia to East Coast Australia trade lane. The full GRI was set at USD 250 per teu, and has been applied at that level or near to it by all lines. The GRI was applied on sailings varying from 15th April to 24th April. If you have any queries about your current rate levels please do not hesitate to contact Chris Chalmers on 1300 186 629.
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| Industry Downturn |
The Freight and Customs industries in Australia have been hit heavily by the economic downturn. Many companies are moving staff to 8 or 9 day fortnights, or laying off staff through redundancies. Overall, the industry is at an all time low with freight rates and profitability remaining at low levels. A large reduction in the number of imports is the major reason for the downturn in the freight industry, however restricted cash flows has also proved to be an issue in day to day operations. In an effort to avoid the necessity of staff retrenchments, Tomax is working to ensure that client accounts are kept up to date. Please assist to check your account with Tomax and ensure payments are made to keep within your trading terms. We sincerely appreciate your assistance.
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| Duty Rate Reduction - Clothing & Textiles |
Clients in the textile and clothing industries will be aware of the duty reduction set for 1st January 2010. The current duty rate for most clothing is set at 17.5%. This will be decreased to 10% from the 1st January 2010. A further reduction is set for 2015. There has been recent media stories about impacts to industry as a result of this reduction, and also oppostion to the plan. Currently Australian Customs still plan to go ahead with the reduction. If you have any queries on this please contact Les Jennings on 1300 186 629.
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| Smaller GRI set for 1st May from South East Asia |
Lines announced previously that they would increase rates from South East Asia by USD 200 per teu from the 15th April. That GRI has been delayed and now seems to be going ahead at a much smaller level. Announcements last night see the GRI set for 1st May at USD 50 per teu. Further rate updates will be forwarded to you as lines confirm changes.
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| AQIS plans to increase Quarantine Fees announced |
Further to last months newsletter, fears of increases in government charges on import clearances seem to be confirmed. There is speculation firming that Quarantine will increase their import processing fee from $37 up to $51 per import. Further government revenue raising to fill holes in an upcoming budget is expected to continue as the downturn deepens.
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| BAF - on the rise? |
Shipping lines have announced a increase in Bunker (BAF) levels to be applied for cargo from South East Asia from the 1st June. Lines began to separate BAF from their quotations earlier this month in antincipation of the upcoming increase. Current levels are set at USD 255 per teu, and expected to increase to USD 310 per teu from the 1st June. A BAF increase for North Asia is expected to be announced shortly as well and may come into effect as early as the middle of May. Further announcements will be forwarded as they come to hand.
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| Staff News |
Congratulations to Pauline Watson who recently announced that she is 20 weeks pregnant. Pauline and her husband Brian are expecting a boy due in September. Pauline will be working at Tomax until around end of July and will then pursue a future career as a full time mum! We wish her all the best.
Congratulations also to the following staff who have the following milestones coming up; Jai Parikh - 11 years service; Les Jennings - 7 years service; Jun Liang - 2 years service; Shirley Chalmers - 1 year service. Thanks for your efforts !
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| The Lighter Side |
Maybe some of us could sympathise with the gentlemen that posted the following notice. I'm not saying that my cat is a "total pain in the ass", but she was pretty close to it at 3AM this morning when she wanted to be let in and out 3 times. Amen brother.
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