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Coming To Grips With Free Trade Agreements

Despite obvious benefits such as tariff reductions, regulatory harmonisation and efficiency, free trade agreements have not led to Utopia for many importers and exporters because each agreement brings its own complex rules of origin and documentary requirements for preference claims.

Importers and exporters must make the effort to understand bilateral agreements relevant to their trading operations to ensure that they maximise the benefits from reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as modifications in customs procedures.

In the interests of competitiveness, firms should also keep a watching brief on the other bilateral and regional agreements which might benefit rival suppliers in other countries.

See Tanda's opinion article in Asia Today International Magazine(Asia 2007 edition).

Priorities For Regional FTAs

Do you face problems with tariff or non-tariff barriers, technical barriers to trade, behind-the-border issues or other competition or market access issues in the Asia-Pacific region?

Tanda lobbies ministries and other government agencies responsible for formulating trade policy, negotiating FTAs and regulating, facilitating and securing trade in the region.

Harmonised System Tariff Nomenclature

Amendments to the Harmonized System (HS) Convention accepted by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2004 came into force on 1 January 2007.

This is the third major revision of the HS Convention since it was approved by the Customs Co-operation Council (the WCO's predecessor) in 1983.  It includes 354 sets of amendments.  The principal sources of the recent changes include:  

• Technological progress 
• Changes in trade patterns 
• Clarification of texts to ensure uniform application 
• Adaptation of the nomenclature to reflect trade practice
• Amendments related to social and environmental fields

Traders should review the tariff classification applying to their goods to ensure compliance with the amendments.

Companies Caught Out By Anti-Dumping Laws

Anti-dumping mechanisms are employed widely today and the use of marginal costing to gain access to new markets can expose the products to substantial anti-dumping duties.

Understand how anti-dumping actions can help or hinder your business. [email]

Customs Valuation Methods Not Compliant With WTO

Despite recent accession to the WTO by countries such as China and Vietnam, the transaction value method of valuing goods for Customs purposes is not uniformly applied across the Asia-Pacific region. Non-WTO-compliant methods such as 'reference', 'minimum' or 'published' prices are still practised by Customs administrations in many key ports.

Let Tanda argue your case for WTO-compliant Customs valuation. [email]

Export Controls On High-Tech Dual Use Products

An increased global focus on terrorism and international trade is sharply increasing the impact of export control laws on business. Penalties for breaching relevant legislation are high. Are you exposed? Read more about Export Controls.

Contact Tanda now for advice on the controls applying to your markets. [email]

Planning For Pandemics

Growing concern about the spread and impact of H5N1 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) on global trade is warranted. Does your organisation have a business continuity plan in place that covers:

• Alternative supply strategies in the event of disruption of normal supply by a pandemic
• Managing relations with government regulators
• Staff communication, movement and quarantine

Contact Tanda to discuss how prudent planning can minimise your risk. [email]

Country Of Origin Labelling for Foods In Australia

Country of origin and related labelling requirements in respect of food are imposed in Australia by the Trade Practices Act 1974, the Imported Food Control Act 1992 and the State and Territory Fair Trading Acts and Food Acts.

Country of origin labelling provides consumers with information on the countries in which their food is grown, produced, manufactured or packaged.

As of December 2007, all packaged food must be labelled with a statement on the package that clearly identifies where the food was made or produced.

From December 2006, unpackaged fresh and processed pork products had to be labelled with their country of origin.

From 8 June 2006, all unpackaged fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, nuts and seafood had to carry labels that clearly stated which country they came from, including Australia.

In March 2006, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced a new country of origin labelling standard for processed and unprocessed food. (The new standard did not apply in New Zealand.)

Contact Tanda for advice on the detail of these recent changes to labelling requirements and the appropriate action to ensure compliance. [email]

Fumigation Standards for Imports

Since 1 January 2006, all pallets and other timber materials used in container packing and imported into Australia that are not compliant with international fumigation standard ISPM 15 have been required to be treated on arrival or be re-exported or destroyed.

Each of these alternatives is undertaken at the importer's expense. They are avoidable, however, and trading and cash flow will not be affected if proper pre-shipment planning and systems are in place. Opportunities also exist for expedited shipments.

Contact Tanda now for planning advice and implementation guidance. [email]

Supply Chain Security

Since 9/11, trade regulators around the world have become increasingly concerned to ensure that traders can guarantee the security of the international supply chain. Initial national programs such as the United States’ Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) are now being supplanted by regional (APEC) and global (WCO) frameworks to secure and facilitate trade.

These frameworks require additional investment by operators in the supply chain in order to qualify as 'low risk' operators and become entitled to a range of benefits.

Tanda can advise on the actions required for a company to become an 'Authorised Economic Operator' and the benefits which can flow from that authorisation. [email]

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