Advisories Tags: advisory

Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) Effective 1st February 2025 

Please be informed that an Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) as per below; will be imposed based on the Very Low Sulphur fuel price of between US$500 to US550 per ton with effective from 1st February 2025. 

The Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) will be reviewed monthly for necessary adjustment in line with below Matrix and implemented with an advance notice to customers. 

 Please contact our local Sales and Customer Service team for bookings and any further assistance. 

Revised THC (THL/THD) – effective from 1st January’25 – ALEXANDRIA & SOKHNA 

Please be informed that with effective from 1st January’25 (Sail and Discharge) the quantum of TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGES (Export and Import) at ALEXANDRIA & SOKHNA terminals will be revised as below: 

** The effective date for THL to be based on “ETD from POL and the effective date for THD to be based on “ETA at POD” 

If you have any questions or seek further clarification, please contact our local Sales and Customer Service Representatives for details and bookings.

New Mandatory Certification Requirements for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

We would like to share the new import regulations in Saudi Arabia effective from 1st January 2025. To avoid cargo rejection, please take note of the following information:

Mandatory Certification Requirements
Starting January 1, 2025, all import shipments to Saudi Arabia must be accompanied by two mandatory certificates:

1. Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)

  • Validity: One year
  • Purpose: Ensures products meet Saudi safety, quality, and environmental standards

2. Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)

  • Required for each individual shipment
  • Validity: 60 days or until customs clearance

Key Points:

  • These certificates are part of the SABER electronic certification system
  • Certificates must be obtained before shipment
  • Shipments without proper certification will be refused entry

Thank you.

Revised THC (THL/THD) – effective from 10th January’25 – CHENNAI – CCTL TERMINAL 

 Please be informed that with effect from 10th January 2025 (Sail and Discharge) the quantum of TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGES (Export and Import) at CHENNAI – CCTL terminal will be revised as below: 

** The effective date for THL to be based on “ETD from POL” and the effective date for THD to be based on “ETA at POD” 

 If you have any questions or seek further clarification, please contact our local Sales and Customer Service Representatives for details and bookings. 

Change of Security Deposit Policy in Saudi Arabia

We would like to announce a new policy aimed at enhancing the experience we provide to our valued customers in Saudi Arabia.

Effective January 1, 2025, we will no longer require security deposits from the consignees. Instead, consignees will need to provide a Letter of Indemnity (LOI) duly attested by the Chamber of Commerce.

This change is designed to streamline import release process and provide greater convenience to our customers. The LOI ensures that we continue to safeguard the Line’s interests effectively. In the event of any default or dispute, we will seek assistance from the POL and the shipper to ensure we recover the overdue revenue and/or costs.

We trust that this policy change will be greatly appreciated by our customers, and we look forward to your continued support of ESL.

Thank you!

Shipping Dangerous Goods (DG) to Riyadh – Saudi Railway Organisation Circular

Attached herewith is a circular from SAUDI RAILWAY ORGANIZATION (SRO) with regards to DG shipments to Riyadh. Below are the key points for your reference and compliance.

1. Prior approval – before loading:
Customer needs to obtain a separate approval from SRO before the cargo is loaded from the Port of Loading for any DG shipment to Riyadh.

2. Required MSDS and MMDG:
Approval request must be enclosed with MSDS and MMDG documents for the cargo be shipped.

3. Clearance prior arrival:
Consignee should obtain clearance / approval from customs at Riyadh prior shipment arrival.

4. Co-loading not acceptable:
Due to the risks involved, co-loading more than one HAZARDOUS commodity is not allowed / not acceptable.

Thank you for your support and partnership.

***

Ref: 42-1824
Date: 30/04/1442h
Corresponding to: December 15, 2020
Saudi Railways Organization (226)
Operation affairs

Sub: further notice to suspend sending joint hazards containers

M/s. Shipping Agents Further to the letter No: 21/93/49 from the organization that comprises suspension of dangerous goods of joint containers effect from 21/6/1442h corresponding to 3rd February 2021 due to the severe risks they may cause with other shipments in the same container and the negative affect to environmental works at the dry port, and since the Saudi Railway Organization is keen to apply the maximum safety measurement in transporting and managing the DG, kindly requested to adhere to the following:

  1. Not to ship DG to the dry port without prior permission according to the stipulation in article Second of importing chemical items regulatory that issued by the royal decree No: (38/m) on 16/6/1427h (29.01.2021) and to provide the dry port with the prior permission before loading such items.
  2. Complete the clearing procedures before the arrival of the DG to the dry port as per article eleven of the royal decree No: 38/m) on 16/6/1427h (29.01.2021), therefore, any shipment without prior customs declaration shall not be transported to the dry port.
  3. To comply attaching safety leaflet (MSDS) with those items and writing the United Nation’s Number and the CAS No: and warning guidance.

Best regards,
Vice president for operation affairs.
ENG/ BADR Ali A.

Turkey Customs Advanced Cargo Regulation

This rule requires all ocean carriers to submit a list of customs-defined manifest data to Turkey Customs at least 24 hours prior to cargo loading at Port of Loading. The regulation is applicable to all import and transshipped cargo to/via Turkey.

Freight remaining on Board (FROB cargo) is not covered by this regulation.

Deadlines

The regulation requires the carrier to declare the cargo within specific time limits:

Short sea cargo (ports of Mediterranean and Black Seas): 2 hours before arrival at first port of entry in Turkish Customs Territory. In order to comply with this requirement and handle customs responses and time differences, shippers are required to submit complete and accurate shipping instructions at least 12 hours prior to vessel departure from the port of loading
Deep sea cargo: 24 hours prior to loading at Port of loading In order to comply with this requirement and handle customs responses and time differences, shippers are required to submit complete and accurate shipping instructions at least 48 hours prior to vessel departure from the port of loading

Cargo information to be submitted

The mandatory data elements to be included in the transmission are:

Shipper’s full style name and address
Consignee ’s full style name and address + VAT registration number
Notify party’s full style name and address if the consignee is “to order” + VAT registration number
Container number(s) • Seals number(s) • Cargo gross weight (goods + tare)
Net weight (goods)
Number of packages
Package type
HS code
Goods description
UN dangerous goods code for shipments containing hazardous goods

We would like to advise our customers that the following Advanced Manifest Filing charge will be applicable for all shipments with the ETD of 1st Feb 2025:

DescriptionCharge Amount
Advance Manifest Filing ChargeUS$25 per B/L

Should you have any inquiries relating to this regulation, please feel free to contact our local customer service representatives. Thank you.

Kuwait Customs Regulation – CARGO ON PALLET

Please be informed that Kuwait Customs has implemented new regulation of CARGO ON PALLET with effective from 01 August 2024.

Below is the rough translation of rule for your easy reference. Please ensure to strictly comply with the Kuwait customs requirement for smooth export and import formalities. Any consequences of incompliance will be on customers’ account.


Rough translation of Kuwait Customs’ new requirement:

Recently, it has been observed that many consignments arrive without adhering to the security and safety conditions stipulated in Customs Instructions No. 95 of 2017, as many of the cargoes are arriving loose. Therefore, the regulations are not observed as stated, i.e. the goods are packed randomly and unpalletized, which makes their handling difficult. In addition to the consequences, it entails delays and occupying a large space of yards, in addition to the exposure of the goods to damage during their inspection. This is thereby leading to difficulty of the process of extracting, inspecting, and returning these random goods, which has a negative impact on the integrity of the inspection and obstructs the employees of the Customs Administration from carrying out their duties and exercising their right to inspect, audit and inspect in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Hence for security purpose, Kuwait port authority has decided the following:

Item (1) –

  • All cargoes to be carefully and neatly palletized.
  • If cargo found NONE palletized upon custom inspection, the container/cargo will be stopped by customs.
  • Customs will issue a memo of penalizing of KD 80/- to the customer directly.
  • Only when the penalty of KD 80/- is paid, the container/cargo will be released by customs.

Item (2) –

  • Some goods are excluded from the conditions mentioned in item (1) above, which cannot be placed on pallet because of its own nature i.e., which weighs more than 2 tons or more than 2 meters in length, cargoes included but not limited to: (Pipes -heavy equipment – Cars and Vehicles – used car parts – animals and livestock – Steel -iron scrap – Prefabricated houses).

Item (3) –

  • In the event of non-compliance and violation of the provisions of Article (1), a fine of KD.80 shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions of Article (31) of the Implementing Regulations items (3-6).

Item (4) –

  • If repeated violation and non-compliance with what was stated in Item 1, a fine of KD 400 – shall be imposed in accordance with the text of Article (30) of the Executive Regulations, Clause (11), where non-compliance with the conditions contained in Clause (11) shall be considered “First” i.e., Obstructing Customs Administration employees from carrying out their duties and exercising their right to inspect, audit.

Additional remark – Number of Pallets should be manifested.
Therefore, managers are requested to inform and instruct their specialists to adhere to the above.

Issued on 24 Jul 2024
Director General of the General Administration of Customs

Notice on List of SOC Banned Prefixes

Update as of 1st July 2024

ESL complies with Economic Sanctions and International Trade Controls (“Sanctions”) adopted, administered or enforced by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, the United States of America, or any other applicable competent authority or government (the “Sanctioning Authority”) including the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) Regulations https://ofac.treasury.gov/.  

To safeguard the integrity of our services, ESL stands firm in the non-acceptance of the containers that are owned by any entity subject to Sanctions by any Sanctioning Authority and the containers bearing following prefixes: 

AGIU, AKKU, ALXU, BANU, BGCU, BYTU, CBKU, CGVU, CILU, DAMU, DLRU, FCCU, FESU, FMCU, FURU, HDXU, IRSU, KGNU, KGSU, LCTU, LSLU, MAAU, MIOU, NMKU, PAPU, PARU, PESU, RSPU, RZDU, RZZU, SBAU, SSFU, SSGU, TDIU, TKRU, TPPU, TRZU, VDXU, WOSU, XANU, XBIU, XNIU

In compliance with the recent directive issued by the Malaysian Government, ESL requests its shippers that containers with the following prefixes – ZCLU, ZCSU, ZIMU, ZMOU, and ZWFU are not to be loaded onboard ESL operated vessels, with immediate effect to/from Malaysian ports.

If any containers bearing the aforementioned prefixes are found on board vessels owned or operated by ESL, we will take immediate action to have them discharged. 

Any damages, fines, costs, claims, expenses and any consequences resulted therefrom or caused through the handling of such container/s with said prefix will be solely on the slot user/ container operator’s account and full responsibility. 

Throughout this process, we aim to give as much clarity and notice as possible, but please continue to visit ESL’s website for all the latest updates. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local customer service representative.  Thank you for your full attention and compliance. 

India Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR) – Update 

 Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has recently announced the execution of parallel run Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment (SCMTR) with current manifest process effective 1st June 2024.

Starting from 1st July 2024, parallel testing must be strictly conducted for all filed manifests and any incompliance or deviation may result customs delay and penalties. Therefore, we need your immediate attention and cooperation to provide timely and accurate Shipping Instruction per below requirement with immediate effect.

Scope of SCMTR

  1. Apply to all cargoes intended for discharge, loading or transshipment at any Indian ports, and to the cargoes transiting through any Indian ports (i.e., foreign cargoes remaining on board). 
  2. Customs filings as per SCMTR regulation will also apply to any Shipping Line cargoes transiting via Indian ports on vessels without any loading or discharge in Indian Ports. Therefore, all requirements applicable in this scenario must be fulfilled, including the filing of the manifest for foreign cargo remaining on board in such cases. 

Sea Arrival Manifest (SAM) – For all containers into India:

  1. SAM must be filed in customs before vessel getting departed from Last Foreign Port of call. Example of last foreign port call per proforma schedule: Port Klang for KCIS westbound / Dar Es Salaam for GIA northbound / Dammam for SGI northbound. 
  2. In any circumstances where omission of proforma last foreign port of call, the previous port of call becomes the last foreign port of call. 
  3. Shipping Instruction must be provided at least 72 hours before departure of last foreign port of call, or the SI Cut off time provided by our POL office per local practice. 
  4. For ALL containers discharging for local or transhipment or retain on board at any Indian Ports. 
  5. Harmonized (HS) Code of 6 digits is mandatory. Only one major HS code per container is required. 
  6. Consignee and Notify Party’s IEC Code (10 digits) is mandatory for Indian actual importer (not applicable for Forwarder or NVOCC), to be shown on BL Body. 
  7. Consignee and Notify Party’s Permanent Account Number (PAN with 10 digits) is mandatory for Indian actual importer, Indian Forwarder and NVOCC, to be shown on BL Body. 
  8. The local legal identification is required wherever an Indian party is involved (as Shipper, Consignee or Notify party). 
  9. For personal goods, consignee’s Passport number instead of IEC is mandatory. 
  10. Cargo Invoice value is currently OPTIONAL on Manifest and NOT NEEDED ON OBL. 

Permission for Amendments:

General Amendments: 

  1. All amendments related to an import shipment must be received prior to 48 hours before the departure of the vessel from the last foreign port of call. 
  2. Any changes in the bill of lading information after the filing of the Import manifest with Indian customs would necessitate an amendment to the manifest and subject to approval from the Customs authorities. Such manifest amendments attract customs fines and penalties. 

Switch B/L:
The issuance of Switch B/L is permitted, but it must be completed before 72 hours of the vessel’s sailing from the last foreign port of loading before India. However, it is important to note that the Switch B/L is not feasible for containers loaded from the last foreign port of call before India due to time constraints. 

Change of destination (COD): 

  1. Change of destination (COD) will be allowed only 72 hours before the vessel departs from the last port of call. 
  2. Any changes in the bill of lading information after this deadline will lead to discrepancies in the arrival manifest. 
  3. In such cases, customs manifest amendment is inevitable, and it attracts customs fines and penalties. 
  4. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that any change of destination requests must be made within the specified timeframe to avoid complications and penalties 

Remark: Above timelines are to Indian customs. All requests are subject to the acceptance of ESL by evaluating the internal and external amendment process with customs approval. Customs amendment charge is subject to final decision by customs. 

House BL (HBL) Filing arrangement 

  1. Deadline for submission of house BLs by forwarders in India should be 72 hours prior departure of the vessel at last foreign port. 
  2. DPD, DPD/CFS, switch details to be informed to the carrier by local forwarders or consignees prior departure of the vessel at last foreign port. 

For ensuring smooth process, we will keep close liaison with concerned parties for system and process integration. We are looking forward to your kind support and get familiarized with the Regulations. Please contact our local agencies if any assistance is required.