Below is a quick overview of events around the world that may cause delays to the delivery of your international mail.
KSA Causeway Clearance Update - 30th May 2011
Customs Authorities at the Causeway have amended the import clearance process and tightened up the controls under which shipments are cleared, leading to increased inspections and spot checks, making it more time consuming. The increased work load on senior Customs Officers is adding further delays as shipments require their follow up when a junior officer decides he is unsure whether to clear the item.
All express companies have been affected by this and as a result there is severe traffic congestion on the causeway between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia caused by backed up road network trucks, which is having a severe impact on door to door transit times.
These delays are mainly impacting low value shipments - those with a value below US$13,250. High Value shipments are being cleared with little or no delays after they negotiate the road congestion.
We have put in place additional resources to manage the shipments that are delayed by these Customs actions, however increased inspection time by the Authorities is outside of TNT’s control, and all we can do is try to keep delays to a minimum.
We would like to emphasise the increasingly important part you and your suppliers play in the clearance process by making sure shipments have permanent “Made in” labels, and are accompanied by the correct paperwork.
This will include but is not limited to, Certificates of Origin; Original Invoices; SASO certificates; and Authorisation Letters. But please note we are finding Customs Officers are sometimes insisting goods go to the Government Labs for checking even when correct documentation is supplied.
Updated information will be made available as we have it. You are able to see the status of any shipment at www.tnt.com or alternatively our Customer Service team will also be able to assist if you call 800 2442222.
United Kingdom - 24th May 2011
Volcanic Ash - Icelandic Volcano 'Grimsvotn' Eruption
Following the eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland on Saturday 21 May, UK air space has begun to be affected by the subsequent ash cloud. This has meant that our aircraft operating to and from Edinburgh airport was diverted to East Midlands this morning which has resulted in the implementation of our contingency plan to complete the linehaul leg by road to Scotland.
To 'track & trace' your consignments please click here.
More information is available at the volcanic ash section of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website at www.caa.co.uk/news
The UK CAA is the UK's specialist aviation regulator which activities include ensuring that the aviation industry meets the highest technical and operational safety standards as well as planning and regulating all UK airspace. The CAA has confirmed that new arrangements have been put in place since last year's volcanic ash cloud. These would ensure high levels of public and industry safety while helping to limit any disruption in the event that volcanic ash reaches UK airspace this week.
UK national press are reporting that a number of airlines are choosing not to fly through Scottish airspace at the moment. There is a currently an expectation that Edinburgh and Glasgow airports will be clear by afternoon today, and northern Scottish airports by Wednesday morning
The Met Office said the ash had already reached northern Scotland and would spread to Wales, northern England and Northern Ireland by midday and across much of the UK by the end of the day. However, forecasters have said changing wind patterns make it hard to predict its exact path and concentrations would vary between regions.
The ongoing impact of volcanic ash on aviation would depend on weather patterns, and the nature and density of ash present in the airspace. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and up dates will be issued accordingly.