Peruvian authorities introduced provisions regarding the digitalization of foreign trade operations and payable concepts and terms in contracts for the international maritime carriage of goods. It has been enacted without a prior publication for comments nor has it included in its publication an explanatory statement.

We are currently evaluating the implications of this law in the international treaties entered by the Peruvian State regarding international contracts and related topics. In the meantime, we strongly recommend that all Import shipments to Peru use the option of issue OBLs at destination.
 

In accordance to the recently announced legislation by the Government of People’s Republic of China on “the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution” into China, we would like to inform you that we will stop accepting solid waste cargo into China. This will be effective September 1, 2020 (cargo arrival date).

This legislation is applicable to all solid waste cargo such as wastepaper, waste plastics, waste metals, waste chemicals etc.

To avoid any unnecessary disruption to you, we appreciate your assistance and cooperation as any violation will result in a Customs ordered return of shipment and possible fine may be imposed.
 

To support the announced Inland Container Depot (ICD) initiative by the Shanghai Port Group (SIPG), we are happy to inform you that we will participate in the three months trial program for the EC1 service as from July 1, 2020 until September 30, 2020.
During this trial period, customers are required to send all containers (except for dangerous goods containers, special containers, reefer containers and empties containers for export) of the EC1 service to the ICD container yard at the following address:

Wharf: SIPG Shandong Branch (Yangshan Wharf Phase IV)
ICD Address: 585 Tongshun Avenue, Shanghai,
Luchaogang Railway Center Station ICD

1st Effective Voyage: EC1 SEASPAN FALCON Voyage 002E ETA Shanghai July 5, 2020
For Dangerous goods containers, special containers, reefer containers and empties containers for export, these are still to be delivered directly to the port by customers.
For more detailed information on the program, please refer to the below SIPG websites:

• EIR website: https://eeir.sipg.com.cn/
• Terminal website: http://www.hb56.com/
• ICD service website: http://icd.chinalogisticscenter.com

To avoid unnecessary disruption to your shipments, we ask for your assistance to
inform your vendors and truckers on the required arrangements based on this guideline.
 

In an attempt to ensure smooth experience in working with us, we have an important update for you. We request you to kindly read this article carefully and take appropriate actions to avoid any disruptions.

Invoices raised by HAPAG-LLOYD AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT for the services rendered to you during the period April 2019 to March 2020, we wish to highlight the below GST Sections as it will matter to you / your organization:

“Section 34 (2) of CGST Act prescribes that credit notes issued against invoices raised during the period April 2019 to March 2020 cannot be reported in the GSTR 1 after filing the return for September 2020 or the annual return for FY 2019-20; whichever is earlier.”

Therefore the credit notes, if any, pertaining to invoices raised during the period April 2019 to March 2020 should be raised and reported in the GSTR 1 return of September 2020. Accordingly, any errors or omissions in the invoices or credit notes as raised to you/your organisation need to be reported to us so that necessary action can be taken in the GSTR 1 return of September 2020. Kindly note we would be requiring sufficient time to rectify the errors as our system will close with the end of the month of September 2020.

To adhere to the above timelines we request you to kindly revert with your GST related queries on or before 15th August 2020 (EOD) at mail ID india.tax@hlag.com

Kindly note any query received after August 15, 2020 will not be accepted and Hapag-Lloyd AG will not be liable for any GST loss that may occur to you / your Company.
 

Due to the partial removal of travel restrictions imposed on the Wilayat of Mutrah, we are happy to announce that our Jibroo Delivery Order Office has now reopened.
You can now resume the surrender of Original Bills of Lading at our Jibroo office in addition to our Sohar office.

All other operating procedures relating to the prevention of spread of COVID-19 will continue as announced in our circular dated March 24, 2020.
Please continue to send your documents to one of the following email addresses and they will be attended to promptly:

● edomuscat@bhacker.com

● edosohar@bhacker.com

The timings for both of our Delivery Order Offices will continue to be as follows:

8:00 AM till 2:00 PM Sunday to Thursday

For any enquiries outside of the official working hours you can contact us by email and on the following telephone number: +968 - 72311183
 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) clearly states that the shipper is responsible for verifying the gross mass of a container containing the cargo when loaded on board.
We now found several examples of VGM missing or misreported, either fraudulently or negligently.
This is a very serious situation as it poses risks to the safety of our colleagues on ships and of employees at the terminal level, so that we immediately implement stricter governance around VGM.

a) The teams will ensure 100% adherence to the “No VGM, No loading on the boat” policy.
b) We carry out audits on declared weights to detect prior loading problems. All containers with unverifiable cargo weights will be blocked during loading.

From July 15, 2020 we will check and compare the declared weight.

The 3 Checks that we will perform are as follows:

1. The difference between VGM and weight in the shipping instructions must not exceed 5000 kg.
2. See if the declared VGM exceeds the authorized payload according to the CSC plate (excluding SOC)
3. The VGM Declared is less than the Weight of the container (the container tare).

Any failure of these controls will result in a weight difference fee of EUR 100 per booking.

We encourage you to declare the correct weight of your containers via your preferred channels and we count on you to respect the safety instructions and adopt the right behaviors.

To further improve communication with our Hapag-Lloyd offices, we would like to provide you with our updated contact details as outlined below.

Effective July 15, 2020, the e-mail address RMEAGBOOKING@hlag.com that is currently operative for booking related queries and the e-mail address RMEAGDOC@hlag.com that is currently operative for Documentation related queries will no longer be functional. We are consolidating general export related queries into one mailbox noted below.

We kindly request you to use the below coordinates to get in touch with us based on the type of query and to kindly update your internal address books and distribution lists.

With effect from July 3 2020, we will change the demurrage collection policy in Penang, Malaysia. Demurrage invoices for Penang terminal will be issued and collected directly by Hapag-Lloyd, with no Involvement from Penang terminal prior releasing of delivery order / laden containers for import shipments.

The said process change will be applicable for all container that needs to be gated out from Penang terminal effective 3rd July 2020. Please be advised that the Demurrage will be calculated and invoiced based on HL Standard Demurrage Tariff, which can be viewed on our website (Malaysia Import Demurrage).

The remittance advice with detail of the invoice numbers should be e-mailed to the attention of, email address MYPENEDO@hlag.com. If payment advice is not received, Delivery Order / laden containers will not be released.
 

Regarding booking requests for a shipment originating in a foreign country. To expedite your request, you can have your local origin forwarder submit the booking request online. Your shipment is then reviewed by the origin export customer service team and processed.

If you are submitting a foreign originating booking (excluding USA) here in Canada, we will need the following information in order to send notification to our overseas office to complete your booking.

This process can take a minimum of 24 hours.

• Valid Rate Filing for the requested booking details
  
• Local origin forwarder including name and contact information
• Local origin shipper including name and contact information
  
• Complete routing, including correct vessel, schedule voyage number and schedule dates
• Merchant’s haulage: Pick-up date(s) and, if applicable, indicate shipper’s owned equipment and provide the relevant container number(s)
• Carrier’s haulage: Positioning date(s) and mode of transport (not accepted as free text); Loading references in case of need. Please cover the complete transport chain, including:
  - full address of the "place of receipt",
  - contact parties (name and phone ),
  - reference # if needed
• Quantity and Container Size Type
• Cargo weight, description

Requirements for special cargo:

Reefer: temperature settings
Out-Of-Gauge: over dimensions (L/W/H)
Dangerous Goods "DG" Details: Complete data of DGD form in compliance with IMDG Code

It is our aim to continuously improve our products as well as our service to you which includes the correct and timely preparation of invoices. In order to avoid misunderstandings and resulting invoice corrections, we kindly ask you:

• To refrain from using INCO terms instead of payment terms in your shipping instructions
• To add specific information regarding payment terms in the remarks field of your shipping instructions and stipulate precisely, particularly for Terminal Handling Charge Destination (THD) and Destination Landfreight (DLF), whether the charges shall be prepaid or collect.

This information will help us ensure correct invoicing. In the absence of specific instructions and precise payment terms, we will set the terms as outlined below:

Following the issuance of Circular 1 of 2020 by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC), we hereby advise that effective as from March 15, 2020, we adjusted our free periods for hinterland locations accordingly.

Tariff update details can be found here.
 

As part of our efforts to control the COVID-19 situation and to follow Local Government restrictions, we have reinstated our previous alternate solution to collect payment at Umm Qasr BGT terminal as all banks are closed in Basrah due to a health curfew through July 4th.

We are seeking your support to comply to these guidelines in order to assist us to serve you safely.

For Payments/Security deposits to collect Delivery Orders or Original Bills of Lading, please follow below guidelines:

• Step 1- Customer will collect invoice from Hapag-Lloyd Basrah Office
• Step 2- Customer will make payment at Umm Qasr BGT terminal in cash
• Step 3- Umm Qasr BGT Terminal will confirm payment receipt to HL Basrah Office
• Step 4 – HL Basrah office will release delivery order or Original Bill of Lading.
  

Link to local page - https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/offices-localinfo/middle-east-india/iraq.html

Please contact our local team in Iraq for any guidance required.
Hyder.AlMudafar@hlag.com
Ammar.Almubarak@hlag.com
saadoon.alsaadi@hlag.com

Better protection and safety for your cargo during transit is of utmost importance to Hapag-Lloyd. One aspect of protection and safety is covered under our Container Seal Policy.

All full containers moving under a Hapag-Lloyd Bill of Lading must be delivered with a High Security Seal (HSS) complying with the current applicable versions of ISO 17712 standards.
If a container arrives at the port of loading or sails from origin without a high security seal, Hapag-Lloyd reserves the right to pass on additional costs / fines associated with this to the customer.

Supply chain security begins at the point of origin, including application of a high security seal immediately upon completion of the stuffing operation.
We, as carrier, may also provide high security seals at the empty depots however, the customer is fully responsible for the seal pick up and affixing to the container.

After securely stuffing and sealing a container, please make sure that the seal number is provided on the shipping instructions forwarded to Hapag-Lloyd.
 

According to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (sayi: 39665741-325.13-E.180499) a veterinary border control may be requested for animal products for transit shipments via Turkey (even if final destination is still Turkey). Therefore, we might ask you to provide the related documents and application, such as commercial invoices (including content & detailed cargo type).

In case local authorities request the veterinary control, following charge effective July 1, 2020 will apply:

• XVC / VPI – “Veterinary / Phytosanityra Control” – USD 70, per B/L
  (Including veterinary application fee)

The new tariff can be viewed by clicking on the link.
 

Please be advised that the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture and the New Zealand Governments Ministry of Primary Industries have issued revised measures regarding fumigation against the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.

Please note the effective date of September 1, 2020, running through to May 31, 2021, ex the US and Canadian East and West coasts and the US Gulf coast ports of load.
Effective dates are based on the following criteria:

• Begin date - Vessels departing at USA or Canadian ports on or after September 1st 2020
• End date - Vessels arriving at Australia or New Zealand ports on or before May 31st 2021

Further note per prior years, we have established a requirement that for high risk containers, special equipment, ie. open tops, flatracks and breakbulk cargo, a fumigation certificate for
“BMSB” will be mandatory for submission by customers prior to loading, in line with
requirements of the “Department of Agriculture and Water Resources” (DAWR).
In case fumigation certificate is not presented accordingly, related booked shipments will
not be loaded.

Please note that fumigation is the responsibility of cargo interests. The requirement extends to cargo loaded in consolidated shipments as well as for full container loads.

Should you have questions regarding applicability of the rule to specific cargo that you
may be shipping, please contact the relevant Australian and New Zealand authorities for
clarification/ruling. You can also view the below links which describes effective
treatments as well affected cargo descriptions for each country.

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs#target-high-risk
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/responding/alerts/brown-marmorated-stink-bug/
 

We would like to inform you that we joined the partnership with MATCHBOX Exchange for Singapore, effective from the July 13, 2020. Our aim is to provide a more efficient supply chain solution for Re-use and Exchange of containers. Through a seamless innovative digital sourcing platform, customers in need of containers can simply send a request for reuse and exchange with an instantaneous approval for export bookings.

Since March 2019, we have been working closely with MATCHBOX Exchange to perform on street turn requests in Australia and New Zealand leading to many successful triangulations (re-use/exchange) to date.

The platform offers two valuable options:

1. Re-use function – this provides opportunities for customers to directly re-use an import container for export bookings without the container transiting through a container park.
2. Exchange function – this provides opportunities for customer to exchange an empty import container with another customer holding an export booking.

*Rate applies: $20/per re-use and $10/per exchange function per party

The key benefits:

• Lower operation trucking costs
  
• Decreased waiting time and congestion at depots
  
• Better control with improved transparency
  
• Access 24/7 on requests and instant approvals
  
• Reduction on global carbon footprint

To learn more and sign up please visit via website at www.matchboxexchange.com

For further enquiries, please reach out to your nearest location of Hapag-Lloyd customer service, or contact MATCHBOX Exchange customer service team at help@matchboxexchange.com.

*The rate has yet to inclusive of GST

We would like to inform you that below feeder ports in Pearl River Delta area implemented temporary restriction on reefer container operation until further notice.  

We would like to give you an update on the current situation at Chinese ports regarding reefer container operations.

Chinese customs increased the inspection of import reefer containers. Import container pick-up activities have been severely impacted and as a result reefer plugs are highly utilized especially at the port of Yantian and Ningbo. We seek your assistance to pick-up your container as soon as relesaed by customs.

Given the current situation your reefer container(s) may be discharged at an intermediate or alternative port and held there until it is possible to forward them to the designated port of discharge. Please note that all additional costs, risks and liabilities related to the storage or movement of the cargo after discharge will be for account of the cargo owner.

We regret for any inconvenience that these circumstances may cause.

The terms of this Notice shall be read in conjunction with and without prejudice to Hapag-Lloyd’s Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill terms and conditions and the Hapag-Lloyd tariff applicable thereto.
 

In the last couple of months we all had to endure the consequences of covid19.

This has put some pressure on the supply chains, for one company more than the other. Also with Hapag-Lloyd Rotterdam this has given challenges, one of these challenges was our reachability. Going from one office to working remotely meant that you also had difficulties to reach our staff via the usual phone number(s).
Thank you for your patience, but moreover a big Sorry from our Hapag-Lloyd team for our reachability, in the next couple of days, we will do our utmost to re-earn your trust and strive for improvement!

In order to further improve our service level in line with our Quality Promises, we have therefore introduced our Contact Center for all incoming calls.

As from Monday 13th of July you have been able to reach Hapag-Lloyd (Rotterdam office) via 1 phone number for all your questions which can not be handled via our digital channels:

+31 20 721 9928

When dialing the number you will hear a short selection menu to select the correct department.
After this selection you can also enter (when available) your 8-digit shipment number enabling the system to connect you to the correct dedicated team immediately, if not available, simply press # to get connected.
In both cases you will be transferred to the first available operator.

Using this one phone number for all, will bring more transparency, for both you as a valued customer, and for us to deliver on our Quality Promises, therefore we would like to ask you to use this designated phone number,

Our customer service teams (booking, documentation, import) are also available via the current e-mail address Service.Netherlands@hlag.com

Which as from Monday August 10th will become:

Netherlands@service.hlag.com

We kindly remind you that a big part of your business can be done via our
online channels:

• Quick Quotes (Instant Quotations 24/7)
• Placing Bookings
• Sending Shipping Instructions
• Cargo Insurance
  
• Purchase Additional Freetime
• Manage and follow all your shipments (Hapag-Lloyd Navigator)
   

In the last couple of months we all had to endure the consequences of covid19.
This has put some pressure on the supply chains, for one company more than the other. Also with Hapag-Lloyd Antwerp this has given challenges, one of these challenges was our reachability. Going from one office to many home offices meant that you also had difficulties to reach our staff via the usual phone number(s).
Thank you for your patience, but moreover a big Sorry from our Hapag-Lloyd team for our reachability, in the next couple of days, we will do our utmost to re-earn your trust and strive for improvement!

In order to further improve our service level in line with our Quality Promises, we have therefore introduced our Contact Center for all incoming calls.

As from Monday 18th of May you have been able to reach Hapag-Lloyd (Antwerp office) via 1 phone number for all your questions which can not be handled via our digital channels:
+32 2 6200 905

When dialing the number you will hear a short selection menu to select the correct department.
After this selection you can also enter (when available) your 8-digit shipment number enabling the system to connect you to the correct dedicated team immediately, if not available, simply press # to get connected.
In both cases you will be transferred to the first available operator.

Using this one phone number for all, will bring more transparency, for both you as a valued customer, and for us to deliver on our Quality Promises, therefore we would like to ask you to use this designated phone number,

Our Customer Service teams (booking, documentation, import) are also available via the current e-mail address Service.Belgium@hlag.com

Which as from Monday August 10th will become:

Belgium@service.hlag.com

We kindly remind you that a big part of your business can be done via our online channels:

Quick Quotes (Instant Quotations 24/7)
Placing Bookings
Sending Shipping Instructions
Cargo Insurance
Purchase Additional Freetime
Manage and follow all your shipments (Hapag-Lloyd Navigator)