Enhancements to Cargo Handling Announced

For immediate Release

19 July 2001

Enhancements to Cargo Handling Announced

Effective from today lower value inbound cargo items can be cleared for customs purposes through electronic cargo lists.

The change is targeted at airfreight entering the country, and will improve the speed that freight clearance is handled by Customs before it lands in New Zealand. Unnecessary paperwork time delays incurred with present manual processes will be removed.

The scheme which was announced by the Tomorrow's Cargo Logistics Group chaired by Garth Wyllie of the Employers' and Manufacturers Association has been piloted with selected courier companies by Customs. It is now available to all cargo under $1000 in value and is particularly suited to the consolidated freight handled by airlines.

"The scheme is similar to those available for sea freight via a number of ports around New Zealand as an extension to a range of initiatives being developed by the group," Mr Wyllie said.

"The Tomorrows' Cargo Logistics Group includes all major business and governmental organisations involved in the import, handling and transport of freight in New Zealand.

"The Group's aim is the seamless processing of cargo in and out of New Zealand with the least regulatory impact and utilising all available technology.

"Other expansions of electronic processing under development are for export documentation, and for Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries requirements.

"Further out the processes required by New Zealand's major trading partners would also form part of the dialogue with those countries using the developments pioneered in New Zealand."

For more information Garth Wyllie Executive Officer, Employers and Manufacturers Association Chairperson Tomorrows' Cargo Logistic Group. Telephone: 09-3670913 Mobile: 021-649900 A/H: 09-4733523

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