PLATINUM® FREIGHT ANNOUNCES INDIAN BUSINESS FOCUS
Leading Australian Customs clearance agency Platinum® Freight Management will reach further into the international market this month with the appointment of Kumar Karuppusamy to lead the development of new Indian Region business services from the company’s Sydney office.
Notice to Importers: Changes to container shipment process
From July this year, all container shipments will be assessed by Port authorities under new conditions. Called Container Weight Verification, the process checks the weight of contents of all shipping containers before they are cleared to load onto ships and leave port. This change was designed by authorities to improve safety standards on container ships.
China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) – what it means to Australian businesses
The China Australia Free Trade Agreement that came into force on December 20 last year represented a massive advantage to Australia, according to DFAT, “by securing markets and providing Australians with even better access to China across a range of our key business interests …”
How to avoid trip ups at customs
What happens when your import arrives, is assessed by Customs and found to be inconsistent with its paperwork, or inconsistent with Australian trade requirements?
To better understand the Customs process and where delays (and costs) stack up, we’ve put together this infographic to explain things simply, using a footwear shipment as the example. But the same principles can be applied to imports across all consumer channels.
Fraud and non-compliance together spells fire
Over Christmas we saw a huge surge in hover-boards flooding the market. They were flying through the mail centres, shipping yards are air freight terminals across Australia. But the result was dangerous.
Suppliers and importers have acted fraudulently to import these goods, declaring low value to avoid tax. Plus, knowing this would mean the goods suffered less scrutiny than more expensive imports, some – in fact, many – haven’t acquired an import permit from www.infrastructure.gov.au.
Fast-forward to the Victorian house fire. When importers act fraudulently and don’t gain the relevant certificates checking safety, people can get hurt. It also leads to a higher overall cost to taxpayers. In the end, we’re all the losers.
Platinum® Freight celebrates 22 years and 100% client growth year on year
Leading independent Australian Customs clearance agency Platinum® Freight Management today celebrates 22 years of operation. The company has undergone impressive geographical and financial growth in this time, and this month was named one of the top brokers in the country.
Platinum® Freight named one of Australia’s top customs brokers
Platinum® Freight Management boss Peter McRae was last week named one of the top Customs Brokers for 2015 at the Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards when he was shortlisted for this important industry accolade.
Christmas Importing: Onus is on the Importer
Importing is tricky to manage well, and at this time of year the system is fraught with additional setbacks that can end in cost and time blow-outs for the unsuspecting importer. We have put together three major considerations for importers at this time of year, as well as suggestions on how to avoid paying more, or having stock caught up in unhelpful delays.
CASE STUDY: Poultry Australia Enters Platinum® Freight Management Young Entrepreneurs Program
The Platinum® Freight Management Young Entrepreneurs Program awards qualifying recipients under the age of 25 valuable commercial benefits including free advice on best importing and exporting practice as well as a series of free and discounted Customs Clearances which Platinum® Freight covers costs of on their behalf.
Undisclosed Australian port charges cost importers a premium
Leading Australian Customs clearance agency Platinum® Freight Management warns of a growing trend for global manufacturers and their shipping partners to over-charge importers on Australian port charges for sea freight shipments. “The Australian importer is paying a premium for a service without knowing there are alternatives that may be just as effective and far less expensive.”
5 ways to reduce importing/exporting costs
The Aussie dollar is low. Retailers are hurting.
Now is the time to health-check your importing/exporting processes and save.
The Customs process is one of the great unknowns for most businesses, even regular importers or exporters. Retailers can easily save thousands of dollars in extraneous charges just by better understanding the system and working smarter within it.
Brokers & Forwarders feature: Crisis Leads SME’s To Misbehave
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are under threat on so many fronts.
Equally, the customs clearance system is under extreme strain due to increases in importing statistics.
Let’s look first at the freight forwarding and customs clearance systems. Why are they under increased pressure now?