Below is a quick overview of customs and shipment requirements around the world that may cause delays to the delivery of your international shipments.
GREECE - Customs on Strike - 14th October 2011
The union of Greek Customs servants have announced a strike starting on Friday the 14th of October and finishing on Sunday the 23rd of Oct 2011.
This action affects all exports from Greece to R.O.W with both low and high value shipments, and all imports with high value shipments,
which will face more than 10 days delays.
Customs are expected to be back on duty on Monday the 24th of October but we will provide any possible update on any of their union decisions
during next week, if something changes from the official announcements already made.
China - 29th August 2011
Post Codes and town names in China
As a result of changes to some post codes and town names in China, we will update addresses in our shipping tools such as myTNT (including ExpressImport). These changes are planned starting 5 September, 2011.
For TNT customers using myTNT, no action is required, as we will update your address book automatically with the changes. TNT customers using ExpressShipper, ExpressManager will be offered a little tool to help you update your Chinese addresses in your address book. Any other TNT shipping tools, will be provided instructions to update addresses stored on local systems.
Pakistan - 12 August 2011
Clearance delay update
The customs strike is over and clearance activity has returned back to normal.
Indonesia - 09 August 2011
Food Supplement, Cosmetics and Chemical Products
New requirements with regards to Food Supplements, Cosmetics and Chemical Products importation are in place by Indonesia Customs, effective from the 1st August 2011:
- Required a full set of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or COA (Certificate of Analysis) must attached to the consignment and available at PACS.
- Should the documentation be unavailable in PACS, the system will be updated with the 'IX' status code.
- Should the documentation be unavailable in the physical form (hardcopy), the system will be updated with the 'OR' status code.
Failure to comply with these regulations will lead to clearance delays.
For more information on the regulations, please refer to the following Customs/goverment website:
http://www.beacukai.go.id/index.ikc?page=faq/kiriman-dan-paket.html
Iran - 09 August 2011
Incorrect Product codes - Import Consignments
Further to the broadcast made on 13th April 2009, please be informed that the issue of receiving XPS(15N) consignments under DOX (15D) product is continuing, and Iran customs have delayed all our document bags clearance, which is eventually affecting the transit time of document consignments into Iran.
We kindly request you to please use the correct product for XPS (15N) consignment. Consignments received as DOX(15D) instead of correct product XPS(15N) will attract penalty.
Pakistan - 08 August 2011
Clearance Delay
Please be advised that the Pakistan customs have been on strike since the 5th August 2011. All customs activities have been affected especially import clearance.
Please expect delays in clearance and deliveries.
Further information will be broadcast as it becomes available.
Croatia - 29 July 2011
New Computerised Transit System
Effective from Monday 1st August 2011, Croatian Customs will be implementing a New Computerised Transit System/NCTS with a forecasted adaptation period of two weeks.
During this time there will be delays at customs, so it is advised to keep all escalations to a minimum. All affected shipments will be updated accordingly
Indonesia - 26 July 2011
Addressing of Master Airway Bills
From today onwards, all inbound consignments (Express, Economy or Airfreight/WEF) destined for Jakarta, Indonesia, must clearly state on the Master Airway Bill, the consignee's name and address and the information must be transmitted via EDI FWB with the following details:
PT SKYPAK INTERNATIONAL (TNT EXPRESS)
SUMMITMAS I, 7th FLOOR
JL JEND SUDIRMAN KAV 61-62, JAKARTA 12190
INDONESIA
TEL: 55911771 / FAX: 55911770
Non-compliance of the above requirements, will result in an amendment to the ID Customs manifest system and will result in unnecessary delays and a penalty of USD 100.00 for every Master Airway Bill amended. These costs will be ICR back to the origin Gateway.
Please comply to the above requirements to avoid any delays.
Fiji - 26 July 2011
Customs Clearance
As per the Fiji customs regulation , it is stipulated under section 107 (1) (C) that any consignment exported/ imported on commercial basis MUST accompany a commercial invoice. The invoice must be computer generated
As previously advised Hand written invoice for personal shipment to individual is acceptable by Fiji Customs.
The document must have the following information :
· Invoice date
· Name and address of the consignor ( shipper) and consignee( receiver)
· Description, quantity and origin of the goods
· Value of the consignment
· Reason for export.
Japan - 18th July 2011
Documents into Japan
Japan can accept only PURE DOCUMENT as 15D. Therefore CD's, DVD's, Plastic cards, Bankbooks, Passports and this kind of documentation are not acceptable as 15D. They must be shipped as 15N with an invoice.
Non compliance would cause delay in customs clearance , not only with the particular consignment but with the whole freight it was consolidated with.
Botswana - 18th July 2011
Mandatory documentation requirements
All international material destined for Botswana must be accompanied with the following documentation:
Air waybill - Fully completed with all relevant detail
Suppliers invoice (no pro-forma invoice will be accepted)
The Supplier invoice must contain the following:
Clear description of goods
Correct value of goods (Under declared values will result in Customs penalties)
Sender name and address
Receiver name and address
Freight amount must be on the invoice
If shipment is from ZA to BW invoice must have Exporters code and VAT registration number on the invoice)
Serbia - 1 July 2011
Please note that the import of medicines into Serbia for personal use is forbidden, with immediate effect. Individuals are no longer permitted to import medicines or drugs shipments - only licensed importers are permitted.
Pakistan - 17th June 2011
New Customs Requirements
As per the new Customs Regulations in Pakistan, any non-document consignment must have an Invoice and copy of the AWB attached to the consignment. Failure to comply with these regulations will lead to clearance delays and penalties being levied on the consignment.
Singapore - 1st June 2011
Medical Devices Branch (Health Sciences Authority of Singapore)
New requirements with regards to medical devices importation are in place in Singapore, effective June 1, 2011:
Medical devices with risk classification C and D will be impacted by the new requirements.
Prior to importation of medical devices with risk classification C and D, importers license and relevant permits need to be approved by the local health authority.
During import customs declaration, the below information is required:
Valid importers license's number
Valid device registration no/ transition list no/ approval no
HS Code
Product Code
Quantity to be imported
HS Quantity Unit of Measurement
For more information and documents requirements, refer to:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_products_regulation/medical_devices/tradenet.html
For further clarification, please contact the Medical Devices Branch at +65-6866 3560 or hsa_mdb_tradenet@hsa.gov.sg
Myanmar - 23rd May 2011
Effective today, Monday the 23rd of May, 2011, TNT has suspended all trading to and from Myanmar.
This means that the Myanmar country website has been closed down and the country removed as a location option from TNT shipping tools, so that Myanmar can no longer be selected during a booking or quotation from TNT customer service.
Shipments made to Myanmar prior to the 23rd of May will be delivered until the 31st of May at the latest. Shipments received in Myanmar after the 31st of May will be returned to sender as undelivered.
Saudi Arabia - 16th May 2011
Customs - New rules have been implemented by the Saudi Arabian Customs Authorities which take effect from the 16th May 2011.
All brake parts must have an "asbestos free" certificate in addition to SASO certification. Samples of commodities arriving without the certificate will be transferred to the laboratory for testing which may cause a delay in customs clearance.
All shipments coming from Japan must be certified as "radioactive free".
If you require further clarification regarding these requirements please contact the Saudi Arabian customer service on 800 244 2222.
Indonesia - 13th May 2011
Indonesia, Hatta Airport
Implementation of Regulated Agent for Security Screening/X-ray at Cengkareng (CGK)/Soekarno - Hatta Airport.
Please be informed that the Director General of Aviation has issued a new regulation, with effect on 16 May, 2011, that all Import and Export Cargo and Post which will be transported/travel by air via the Cengkareng (CGK)/Soekarno Hatta Airport, will need to be screened/X-Rayed by the appointed Regulated Agent.
To avoid any delays due to long queues, the cut off times will be moved up a minimum of one (1) hour from the current schedule, and will be adjusted accordingly.
As a result of this new process, please expect delays of export shipments.
Vietnam - 13th May 2011
Vietnam - Import of Mobile phones, Cosmetics and Liquor
Effective from 1st June 2011 until further notice, except for personal belongings, Mobile phones, Cosmetics and Liquor are prohibited to import into Vietnam by air and road services, included courier.
Any violation to this regulation will lead to customs fine and return freight charge which will have to be covered by the origin.
For more details you can read up the regulations on the restriction at the following website : http://www.moit.gov.vn
Lebanon - 12th May 2011
Japanese products to Lebanon
Please be informed that Lebanese Government had put in place a new clearance regulation on products originating from Japan and / or Made in Japan originating from anywhere in the world. They can be imported into Lebanon subject to the following process/ procedures/ paper works.
1. Radiation Control Certificate from Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission (www.cnrs.edu.lb) to detect Gamma Radiation permissible level.
2. Permit formality on this certificate by Ministry of Economy and Trade (www.economy.gov.lb)
3. Documentation will be then forwarded to Head of Lebanese Customs for permit approval
4. If not approved, re-export has to be done. TNT will incur re-export (customs formality and shipping) charges.
5. If approved, clearance process will resume accordingly.
6. Additional clearance days needed.
7. Additional cost that are involved will be charged to consignee accordingly
Myanmar - 6th May 2011
TNT will suspend trading to and from Myanmar effective as of Monday 23rd May, 2011.
This means that the Myanmar country website will be closed down and the country removed as a location option from TNT shipping tools, so that Myanmar can no longer be selected during a booking or quotation from TNT customer service.
Shipments made to Myanmar prior to the 23rd of May will be delivered until the 31st of May at the latest. Shipments received in Myanmar after the 31st of May will be returned to sender as undelivered.
As a result of changes to some post codes and town names in China, we will update addresses in our shipping tools such as myTNT (including ExpressImport), These changes are planned starting 5 September, 2011. For TNT customers using myTNT, no action is required, as we will update your address book automatically with the changes.
TNT customers using ExpressShipper, ExpressManager will be offered a little tool to help you update your Chinese addresses in your address book. Any other TNT shipping tools, will be provided instructions to update addresses stored on local systems.
FIJI - Customs Clearance
As per the Fiji customs regulation , it is stipulated under section 107 (1) (C) that any consignment exported/ imported on commercial basis MUST accompany a commercial invoice. The invoice must be computer generated
As previously advised Hand written invoice for personal shipment to individual is acceptable by Fiji Customs.
The document must have the following information:
Invoice date
Name and address of the consignor (shipper) and consignee (receiver)
Description, quantity and origin of the goods
Value of the consignment
Reason for export
Kuwait Customs Update (Imports into Kuwait)
For all non-document shipments, a commercial invoice must be provided, containing at least the following information:
To be valid, it must contain at least a number of elements:
1. Senders name and address, on their letterhead
2. Receivers name and address, with contact details
3. Complete and meaningful description of the goods
4. HS Code (Harmonised Tariff Code)
5. True value of the goods (price per item, total value per type of goods, total value and currency)
6. Under what conditions the cargo is shipped to the receiver (Incoterms)
7. Origin of the goods
8. Statement of veracity, signature and date
Please ensure all commercial invoices have a truthful value, statements as "value for customs purpose only" should be avoided at all times. They lead to re-evaluation and fines. Fines will be allocated to offending countries.
Lack of compliance will also result in delays.
Australia - Customs Intervention Low Value Goods
On the 18th January 2011 Australia broadcast advise that the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) were increasing intervention in the profiling and screening of low value goods as detailed below.
Despite this advise there are still shippers proving customs declarations that are undervalued and when challenged provide invoices on new values and are still not accepted as these are also considered false. Customs declarations do not provide adequate descriptions of goods personnel effects shipments do not contain the correct paperwork as detailed in TWIG/ Commodity Checklist are declared as proforma invoices are not in English claim samples with "NCV" or a nominal value
As a result paperwork supplied to customs is rejected and requires further follow up with origin country which results in escalations and rework for TNT and customs. The result of this is increased delays , more files to review and the inability to maintain updates in track and trace and respond to emails.
Despite TNT (SYD ) and customs providing additional support to this process there are delays and these are increasing.
Origins can assist by ensuring correct documentation and values are provided by shippers and if not DON'T ship.
Απαραίτητα έγγραφα εκτελωνισμού για Σαουδική Αραβία
Προκειμένου να αποφύγουμε μεγάλες καθυστερήσεις στις τελωνειακές διαδικασίες προς Σαουδική Αραβία, λόγω μη συμμόρφωσης των τελωνειακών διαδικασιών της Σαουδικής Αραβίας, παρακαλούμε επιβεβαιώστε ότι τα απαιτούμενα έγγραφα για τον εκτελωνισμό των αποστολών προς Σαουδική Αραβία έχουν συγκεντρωθεί πριν την παραλαβή των αποστολών ή πριν την προώθησή τους στον τελικό προορισμό. Οι αποστολές που δεν συνοδεύονται με τα απαιτούμενα έγγραφα, θα υπόκεινται σε διαχείριση σύμφωνα με την πολιτική των απαράδοτων αποστολών.
Συγκεκριμένες κατηγορίες αγαθών απαιτούν SASO Certificate (Saudi Arabia Standards Organization) και HS Codes (δασμολόγιο και εμπορικά τιμολόγια).
Δώρα-Νορβηγία
Σας ενημερώνουμε ότι τα δώρα σε ιδιώτες και εταιρείες στη Νορβηγία υπόκεινται σε εκτελωνισμό, το οποίο σημαίνει ότι οι παραλήπτες θα χρεωθούν με δασμούς εισαγωγής.Η μόνη εξαίρεση είναι τα δώρα από ιδιώτη σε ιδιώτη, όταν η αξία των δώρων δεν υπερβαίνει τα NOK 1000 και όταν ο αριθμός κοινωνικής ασφάλισης αναγράφεται πάνω στο τιμολόγιο. Τα στοιχεία αυτά πρέπει να είναι εμφανή στο εμπορικό τιμολόγιο, προκειμένου να υπάρξει ομαλή διαδικασία εκτελωνισμού καθώς και οι αντίστοιχοι δασμοί εισαγωγής.Είναι σημαντικό επίσης η λέξη «δώρο» να αναγράφεται στο εμπορικό τιμολόγιο, για μια πιο λεπτομερή περιγραφή των προϊόντων.
Προειδοποιήσεις σχετικά με τις αποστολές σας
Παρακάτω θα βρείτε μια συνοπτική περιγραφή γεγονότων ή συμβάντων ανά τον κόσμο τα οποία δύναται να προκαλέσουν καθυστέρηση στην παράδοση των αποστολών σας.
Διαδικασίες εκτελωνισμού και δείγματα για εκθέσεις και εκδηλώσεις
Για την ενημέρωση σας, οι εισαγωγές προϊόντων που προορίζονται για εκθέσεις, κρατούνται στο τελωνείο, άσχετα με την αξία ή το περιεχόμενο τους.
- Ο παραλήπτης της αποστολής πρέπει να είναι επίσημα καταγεγραμμένος σε κάποια περιοχή της Ρωσίας.
- Η αποστολή για την έκθεση δεν μπορεί να εκτελωνιστεί εάν αφορά ιδιώτες, ξένους πολίτες και εταιρείες εάν δεν είναι επίσημα καταγεγραμμένοι στη Ρωσία.
- Το ξενοδοχείο, όπου λαμβάνει χώρα η έκθεση ή διαμένουν οι καλεσμένοι δεν μπορεί να είναι ο παραλήπτης της αποστολής.
- Τα απαραίτητα χαρτιά / έγγραφα για τον εκτελωνισμό πρέπει να προετοιμαστούν από τον παραλήπτη καθώς και να πληρωθούν οι τελωνειακές επιβαρύνσεις.
- Η λίστα των απαραίτητων εγγράφων και το ποσό των τελωνειακών επιβαρύνσεων
εξαρτάται από την ποσότητα και αξία των προϊόντων.
Απαραίτητα στοιχεία τιμολόγησης - Ρωσία
Το τιμολόγιο πρέπει να συμπληρωθεί στα αγγλικά.
- Όνομα, διεύθυνση και τηλέφωνο επικοινωνίας του αποστολέα
- Όνομα, διεύθυνση και τηλέφωνο επικοινωνίας του παραλήπτη
- Ημερομηνία και αριθμός τιμολογίου
- Όροι παράδοσης, (χρεώσεις για βαριά φορτία) πρέπει να αναφέρονται στο τιμολόγιο
- Σκοπός της αποστολής (δείγματα, συμβόλαιο, έκθεση, κ.λ.π.) πρέπει να αναφέρονται στο τιμολόγιο
- Χώρα προέλευσης
- Λεπτομερής περιγραφή των προϊόντων για κάθε αντικείμενο (γενικές περιγραφές, όπως δείγματα και δώρα δεν είναι αποδεκτές).
- Συσκευές και ανταλλακτικά πρέπει να πρέπει να έχουν τον δικό τους κωδικό
- Αριθμός προϊόντων και δειγμάτων
- Σε κάθε τιμολόγιο θα πρέπει να αναφέρονται οι δασμοί των εισαγομένων προϊόντων
- Η αξία ανά τεμάχιο
- «Μηδενική εμπορική αξία» δεν είναι αποδεκτή από το τελωνείο
- Νόμισμα
- Για προϊόντα, τα οποία αποστέλλονται ως δωρεάν δείγματα, πρέπει να αναφέρεται η λέξη «δωρεάν» στο τιμολόγιο