| CBAFF Member Communication |
15 June 2020 |
| |
Hi Paul
Please see below the latest member updates and notifications received by CBAFF.
Regards,
CBAFF Administration Team
|
|
| |
| CBAFF Updates |
| MPI: Proposed update to guidance document on further processing: high-pressure processing |
Received 15 June, 10.12am
The Ministry for Primary Industries has updated the chapter of the Further processing guidance document that deals with high-pressure processing and wants your feedback
Learn more:
Proposed update to guidance document on further processing: high-pressure processing
|
| |
|
| New COVID Cases in China |
Received 16 June, 2.52pm
I’m sure many of you will be aware of the situation developing in China regarding new cases of COVID-19, associated with a wholesale market in Beijing. There are a number of media reports that have references to findings of the virus on a cutting board used in the wholesale market, and therefore some tenuous links to imported salmon. There have also been other reports suggesting other foods including meat as potential sources.
Working with MPI today, the Seafood Standards Council has developed a statement that you can use in response to any importer queries.
In addition if you can please keep me informed if you do receive any queries, or have trouble clearing product at the border or any other issues relating to this, we are monitoring the situation closely.
I will keep you informed as soon as I hear anything further.
Cathy Webb
Seafood Standards Manager - Seafood New Zealand Limited
|
| |
|
| MPI: update Covid-19 |
Received 16 June, 2.59pm
Please see some written updates below, including some material from the NZ Export Credit Office; an update on the Singapore Airfreight project; a link to supply chain reporting from MFAT; and a contact email at MBIE for employers seeking exemptions to border restrictions.
A recap of why NZ Export Credit are relevant to primary sectors right now
- Given all of the global uncertainty we are seeing increased demand from exporters wanting to increase their ability to trade with confidence given the unknown impacts of COVID-19.
- This is particularly relevant to exporters who have had to pivot due to COVID-19 and are now selling to new buyers, who they don’t have a trading history with. Trade credit insurance can be particularly useful when selling to new buyers.
- Trade credit insurance protects a business from losses arising from unpaid invoices, including as a result of a buyer’s bankruptcy. The Treasury’s NZ Export Credit has streamlined its process for providing “top-up” trade credit insurance. Where a private insurer offers a partial limit on an exporter’s buyer, NZ Export Credit can match this limit (up to $1 million) to ensure the exporter is insured for its total sales to its buyer.
- Where a private sector insurer has no appetite to cover a creditworthy buyer, NZ Export Credit can provide its trade credit insurance. NZ Export Credit is also guaranteeing Letters of Credit issued by overseas banks, with particular demand for Asian, Middle East and Eastern European banks. Primary sectors that are seeking NZ Export Credit support include apples, logs, wool, seafood, wine and honey.
References which may be useful:
- We enclose for you a link to our Agritech Flyer; and
- We also attach a brief flyer which provides some triggers in relation to how NZ Export Credit can support exporters.
Update on the Singapore-New Zealand Airfreight Project
- The Singapore-New Zealand Airfreight Project (SNAP) seeks to provide airfreight capacity at Pre-COVID rates for designated essential products, including food, medicines, medical and surgical equipment traded between Singapore and New Zealand.
- As foreshadowed, the webpage for the SNAP went live last week at https://covid19.nzte.govt.nz/page/singapore-new-zealand-airfreight-project-snap
- The webpage details the schedule of the eight remaining Air NZ and Singapore Airlines flights, outlines how the scheme works, and provides frequently asked questions.
- The password to the NZ Exporters folder is: NZSaccess (case sensitive).
Useful reporting from MFAT
- As you will be aware, MFAT has been publishing weekly COVID-19 related trade updates here. On 8 June, MFAT also published a report ‘MFAT Monitoring International Supply Chains’, which may also be of interest.
Border support for businesses
Businesses seeking a border restriction exemption for an inbound non-New Zealand business traveller should contact MBIE at employerborderexceptions@mbie.govt.nz
|
| |
|
| FIATA: Best practices supporting business continuity |
Received 12 June, 6.45pm
COVID-19 has so far had far-reaching effects on the cross-border flow of goods and has proved that cooperation and flexibility are key to overcoming this unprecedented global challenge. The crisis has also proved that that there is a need to rethink and innovate the way we do business. It has also demonstrated that we already have a solid foundation and solutions to build on within, inter alia, the Revised Kyoto Convention, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, and the SAFE Framework of Standards. Therefore, it is important to identify existing gaps as well as best practices and lessons learned to assist governments and businesses alike be better prepared for future crises, allowing for a globally coordinated timely and adequate response.
This outlines some of FIATA’s concrete observations regarding best practices supporting business continuity during and post-COVID-19.
1. Simplified and efficient regulatory and border procedures to facilitate legitimate trade
• Specific facilitations for relief consignments and duty/tax relief
• Green/fast lanes for freight transport to secure the continuity of supply chains
• Delayed payment of duties and taxes
• Extension and flexibility of deadlines for procedures and formalities
• Expedited checking and grating of authorizations
• Coordinated border management mechanisms at policy and operational level
• Optimum use of pre-arrival processing, risk management and NII equipment
• Dematerialised processes, increased use of automation and e-payment
• Increased digitalisation and use of digital copies of official documents/certificates
• Exemptions of local quarantine measures for transport workers
2. Introducing necessary safety measures for authorities and operators
• Ensuring availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and respect social distancing
• Keep physical inspections to the necessary minimum
• Increased use of ICT to conduct business with Customs
3. Safeguarding transparency and up-to-date information
• Setting up of single contact points and/or crisis teams with a clear plan for future actions and decision-making in case of emergency
• Accommodating schedules of workers and extending working hours, taking into account shortages of border officials
• Transparent communication and timely disseminated information regarding changes in safety measures and border procedures
4. Increased cooperation at global and national level
• Raising awareness of the importance of customs and border agencies at political level
• Coordination and collaboration with other neighbouring countries and trading partners, as well as international organizations
• Coordination among government agencies and private sector stakeholders
• Ensuring that capacity building and assistance are provided to countries in need
5. Exit strategy and trade recovery
• Regular monitoring and analysis of measures introduced and their impact
• Extension of relief measures where possible and needed
• Flexible, gradual, and coordinated relaxation of measures
• Creating Customs measures to ease the financial implications for businesses as they recover
• Coordinated exit strategies among border agencies
• Consideration of the positive lessons learned and how certain measures and operational solutions could be continued in the future
FIATA would like to thank the WCO for providing the private sector with an opportunity to share its experiences and participate to the discussion on the Role of Customs in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. FIATA remains at your disposal for any further information and clarification regarding our submission.
|
| |
| |
| |
Published by the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand Inc.,
PO Box 34-149, Birkenhead, Auckland City 0746, 64 9 419 0019, admin@cbaff.org.nz, www.cbaff.org.nz. Contact our office if you wish to be added to our mailing list. If you no longer wish to receive email updates please use the “unsubscribe” function below.
Copyright © CBAFF 2024. All rights reserved. The information contained in this email is intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful. Thank you.
|
|