Better treaty for importers over sea container storage charges

01 Jun '06

2 min read

Importers and brokers will benefit from a new deal between Customs and stevedores to increase free storage time for shipping containers that are screened at major Container Examination Facilities (CEFs) around Australia.

From 1 June at Patrick Terminals, and 1 August at P & O terminals, shipping containers that are returned from CEFs to these operators with less than 24 hours free storage time remaining will be entitled to one additional free storage day.

This new arrangement applies to containers in the ports of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle. Customs inspects approximately 133,000 Twenty Foot Equivalents (TEUs) (about 100,000 shipping containers) each year at its CEFs.

Customs Chief Executive Officer, Michael Carmody, said the change was another example of Customs and stevedores working together to minimize the impact of CEF operations on storage arrangements.

Mr Carmody said Customs had negotiated the change with Patrick and P & O in response to industry concerns about storage charges.

"What this means is that importers and brokers will have at least 24 hours free storage to collect their container once it is released from the CEF and returned to the terminal.

"This is a win for the importing industry. It shows that Customs and stevedores are listening to industry and acting on their concerns."

Mr Carmody said Customs would continue to work closely with stevedores to ensure that all containers were handled in the most efficient manner.

"This is shown by the fact that during the last 18 months, more than 94 per cent of loaded import containers were delivered to our CEFs with at least 24 hours free storage remaining.

Australian Customs Service

More Australian Customs Service News... More Textiles News - Australia...