The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) developed the ISPM 15 in response to the global threat of the wide spread transportation of timber pests and diseases. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FOA) administers the IPPC, which is an international treaty implemented by subscribing governments worldwide. ISPM 15 states a set of criteria that must be met when using any wood as packaging, such as a box, crate, pallet, dunnage or drums when shipping products internationally.

The ISMP 15 regulations require that all non-exempt wood packaging material, (be it hardwood or softwood), must be heat treated to the core for 30 minutes at 56 degrees Celsius or be fumigated with Methyl Bromide. Only then may the quality treatment mark be applied, but only by a business which has been previously approved by an accredited inspection agency.
In compliance with ISPM No.15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures), please be reminded that ALL shipment with wood packaging (or wood materials) must be fumigated.

To prove the wood packaging is fumigated:
1) Certificate of Fumigation shall be attached.
2) A mark on packaging shall include:
a) the symbol
b) a country code
c) a producer/treatment provider code
d) a treatment code using the appropriate abbreviation (HT or MB)

The current edition of the Hong Kong Imports and Exports Classification List (Harmonized System) (HKIECL) will be amended and the amendments, published in the Gazette on November 11, 2016, will take effect from January 1,2017. Import and export declarations for shipments on or after January 1, 2017 must be completed in accordance with the amended classification list, namely Hong Kong Imports and Exports Classification
List (Harmonized System) 2017 Edition.

HKIECL 2017 Edition
The bilingual Hong Kong Imports and Exports Classification List (Harmonized System) 2017 Edition, comprising two volumes, is published in electronic version and can be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Census and Statistics Department(www.censtatd.gov.hk/trader/declaration/index.jsp) as from mid-November 2016.

Coverage of Amendment
The amendments have fully incorporated the amendments to Harmonized System recommended by the World Customs Organization. The amendments cover most of the Sections in the HKIECL. There are different levels of amendments in 16 Sections out of the total of 22 Sections, with total of around 350 commodity items being affected. Those amendments mainly relate to the agricultural sector, chemical sector, wood sector, textile sector, base metal sector, machinery sector and transport sector. The summary of the changes to the HKIECL and the Hong Kong Harmonized System correlation tables for the affected commodity codes can be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Census and Statistics Department

Effective April 1, 2016, more stringent regulations were issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the transport of Lithium Batteries that are packed and shipped as loose/bulk (UN3480/PI965).

A wide variety of electronic goods powered by Lithium Batteries are affected by the new regulations, regardless of whether they are rechargeable (Lithium Ion) or non-rechargeable (Lithium Metal). The regulations apply when:

• Lithium Batteries are packed and shipped as individual items (loose/bulk).  Example: Loose Batteries/Power bank
• Lithium Batteries are packed separately but shipped with equipment in the same box.  Example: A cell phone with a replaceable Lithium Battery
• Lithium Batteries are contained or installed in equipment and therefore shipped in the same box.  Example: A computer tablet with an integrated Lithium Battery within the device that cannot be removed or replaced by the user

Due to increasing safety concerns raised by the aviation industry, the IATA regulations governing the shipping of Lithium Batteries have been tightened and airlines consequently have to enforce these regulations more rigorously.

Please note that the safe transportation of such contents by air and the full compliance to IATA regulations is the legal responsibility of the Shipper. In view of this fact, IATA has produced a guide to help Shippers understand and comply with the regulations.

Maersk Line, the largest shipping enterprise in the world, decided to stop operation in 10 Chinese ports to save costs, including Chizhou, Luzhou, Yingkou, Jinzhou, Rizhao, Yueyang, Lijiao, Taiping, Jiaoxin and Nansha old port.

“The purpose is to focus on the ports that we could offer the most benefits that in the end create growth, better service and opportunities for our customers,” Maersk Line said in a statement.

Maersk Line is currently represented in 41 locations in China, which has been recognized as the world’s factory since the late 1970s. In recent years, Chinese growth has slowed.

Please be informed about the upcoming public holidays:

Hope you have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival & National Day!

AIR CHINA operates a direct flight from Shenzhen to Frankfurt, Germany, as of May 20. Shenzhen is Air China’s seventh Chinese city to be served by a direct flight to Frankfurt. It is also the first direct flight from Shenzhen to Europe by then.

Shenzhen – Frankfurt – Shenzhen will provide 270 tons capacity per week.

With this Shenzhen – Frankfurt cargo route being operated, air freight between Shenzhen and Europe will not need to be going through transit anymore.

With immediate effect we are offering train services from/to Europe and China. The transit times are much faster than sea freight, but pricing is still significantly below air freight. Transit times range between 2 and 3 weeks. Your sales representative will be happy to explain you the details.

General Cargo Asia presented itself on the annual meeting of the Pacific Power Network 2013 as a partner for air- and seafreight services specialized on China and Germany.

Xaver Rinkenbach, General Manager, had several fruitful conversations with existing and potential logistics partners. General Cargo Asia continuously aims to strengthen its international network and intensify its global footprint.

If you should be interested to work with us together, please contact our General Manager, Xaver Rinkenbach.

On 1 June 2013 General Cargo Asia will move to a new location. With a larger warehouse and offices you will find us here:

8/F, Wong’s Factory Building
368 – 370 Sha Tsui Road
Tsuen Wan, N.T., Hong Kong

General Cargo will offer:

• More space for your growth
• Facilitated procedures thanks to the larger warehouse
• Shorter ways to the airport guaranteeing extremely quick handling

All orders will be handled in the new location from now on.

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