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Newsletter - September 2000
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Click here
to access the CIFFA newsletter archives.
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| B2B
or Not 2B |
Submitted by Tony Young
 Internet
stocks on the NASDAQ Exchange have taken a dive in recent months.
Cyber billionaires (on paper) are now mere
multi-millionaires, (if they can unload all their stock before the
price drops even further, that is).
What happened to all the Dot-Com hype?
As more and more Dot-Comers fold, venture capital for new
start-ups seems all but dried up.
The virtual gold rush seems to be no more than a flash in the
pan, a fool’s gold.
Does
this mean E-Commerce is dead?
Don’t be fooled by the stock market trend.
What we are seeing is not only a stock market correction
(for, in reality most Dot-Comers haven’t really made any money)
but an industry wake up call as well.
Precipitated by the IPO phenomenon of the likes of Amazon.com
and e-Bay, upstarts sprang up overnight offering a cyberversion of
everything in the real world.
Information itself became a hot commodity, regardless whose
information it is. Freight
forwarding was no exception to the would-be merchants of info.
Get-a-Rate.com,
Auction-Your-Freight.com, Sell-Your-Space.com, Send-Your-Documents.com,,
etc., etc. There is a
Dot-Com company for virtually every aspect of freight forwarding.
Indeed information is power.
The more, the better and the faster, even better.
A shipper with a container load of lap tops to ship halfway
around the world would simply need to put it on a freight auction
site and the winner of the bids, an unheard of company from nowhere,
picks it up and promises to deliver it at an incredible freight cost
of $1. Guess where the shipment is going? Well, thankfully, there’s Insure-Your-Shipment-From-Thieves.com
for things like that. The
same rules that apply to talking with strangers on the Internet
chat-rooms ought to apply to doing business with strangers on E-commmerce
sites.
Indeed
information can be as valuable as the goods themselves.
Should it be placed in the hands of third parties not
actually part of the logistics chain? Consider the code of ethics in which the forwarder is
contractually and legally bound to keep clients’ sensitive trade
information confidential. Consider
the Internet Privacy Act and the Website operators’ pledge to hold
all client information strictly confidential.
Now, consider Toysmart.com, a failed on-line toy store (owned
by Disney, no less) that put its client data base up for sale in the
Wall Street Journal as part of its liquidation of assets.
So much for client confidentiality, but a sigh of relief by
those unwittingly disclosed clients that it was only a toy store!
What if it is your business data and your clients’
confidential trade information that was being put up for sale by a
defunct Dot-Comer? The
Privacy Act does not protect beyond personal privacy.
The
wake up call to our industry is to realize that the Internet is a
wonderful medium and E-commerce, a powerful tool.
As such, it can be dangerous but equally beneficial. It is something every freight forwarder should acquire as the
latest tools of the trade.
Every freight forwarder should become a Dot-Comer in its own
right with its own Website on the Internet show window, with an engine
behind it, to process data.
The fax machine made the telex machine obsolete.
Now the Internet is poised to do the same to the fax machine.
Correspondence is already being conducted by email for the most
part. Yet, most
commercial documentation is still being faxed or couriered among
shippers and agents. Web technology is the answer to processing information
and moving documentation digitally from B2B cheaply and efficiently.
And B2B does not mean B2B2B.
Those critical functions should not be outsourced to third
party Dot-Coms, just as it would be unthinkable to outsource one's
operations or documentation department to another firm.
In the so-called “New Economy”, each freight forwarder will
have to operate its own site to service its own clients or fall by the
wayside and lose its clientele to those who do.
In a recent article in the Journal of Commerce, it was reported
that “business-to-business e-commerce will total $2.7 trillion [US]
by 2004. Some 93%
of all corporations surveyed plan to conduct business over the
Internet by 2002.” When
inputting the query words <international
freight forwarder> the Internet search engines list about 14,000
related sites. With
an estimated 40,000 firms in the industry, it is a wake up call for
the stragglers still wondering what E-commerce is all about.
©2000 Tony
Young is vice-president of the Canadian International Freight
Forwarders Association and owner of LCL Navigation; a Toronto based
NVOCC, and Novonet Data Systems, an industry specific IT company.
He can be reached at tyoung@lclcan.com
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| U.S.
Customs – Facsimile filing of SEDs for CP/CN transborder moves not
extended to October |
An agreement has been reached with US Customs and the Bureau of
Census that faxed copies of the Shipper Export Declaration (SED) may
continue to be accepted until October 31. Customs, who is collecting
SEDs on behalf of Census, had initially set the date of August 4 as
the deadline for accepting faxes. This extension is only valid
for cargo moving through US ports.
Both
CP and CN have declined to get involved in any extension. CP
continues to receive loads in and hold for proper documentation
while charging grounding and storage.
The
requirement to file ‘originals’, in lieu of fax copies, has
created operational bottlenecks and some considerable turmoil at
inland rail terminals such as Chicago and Detroit. As a consequence,
earlier cut-off times were implemented and ‘grounding’ charges
of USD 50/day applied to any container that could not be processed
due to the lack of original documentation or proper AES number.
Thus,
for Canadian Forwarders with US Midwest cargo via Montreal to Europe
requiring the use of CP/CN Rail at USA rail interchanges, SED
originals or AES numbers are the only alternative.
This
can be as simple as using a US Agent or Partner firm to cut and file
the SED or making the necessary arrangements to file through the AES
– Automated Export System or AESDirect. The official Website
is: http://www.customs.treas.gov/impoexpo/news.html
or http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/
We understand from some members that it is, however, an onerous task
to get it set-up and accepted!
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| CCRAs
Drug Interdiction Program – Feedback requested |
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We are all aware that once a container/shipment fits a certain
profile, the likelihood for interdiction and examination increases
exponentially. But long established importers, and their forwarding
firms, do rightly question this modus operandi when they become
subjected to such examination on an almost ongoing basis! This, along
with the onerously high costs imposed, may effectively cut out any
reasonable profit margin for the importer in question or alternatively
force the importer to pass these additional costs to the consumer.
Whilst
we all are sympathetic to the system in place, we cannot possibly
condone such excessive practices to the detriment of bona-fide
importers, long- established and in good standing. Various members are
also of the opinion that the charges of some $600 – 700.00 per
container/inspection are excessive. This particularly in view of the
fact that many inspections consist simply of drayage to the designated
terminal, breaking the seal, opening the container and giving it a
cursory look without actually discharging and re-stuffing the unit!
Freight
Forwarders, as a consequence, are often caught in the middle. Either
the importer refuses to pay as these additional costs were never part
of the initial quote submitted, or, in some cases, the importer
refuses acceptance outright leaving the Freight Forwarder with the
mess of disposing of an unusual cargo in an attempt to recover the
outlays.
As
a result of the complaints and comments received by member firms, we
are contemplating tackling the issue with the CCRA to see what
reasonable measures could be developed to level the playing field
somewhat.
But prior to doing so, we would appreciate
receiving more input/comments/complaints from our membership at large.
Please share your experiences with us. Do it by phone, by fax or by
Email to our office. Thank you.
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| CCRA
- Programs and Services |
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The Communications Branch of Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has
just recently published a guide to the services and information
available through the CCRA. It is called 'Our Programs and
Services 2000'. This guide can be ordered from:
Canada
Customs and Revenue Agency
Communications Branch
555 MacKenzie Avenue
Ottawa ON - K1A 0L5
Fax: 613-954-6441
The
guide is free of charge and elaborates informatively on where
individuals and businesses can find what programs and services.
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| National
Board of Directors |
Due to the by-law changes voted on during the AGM 2000, permitting
only Regular Member Companies to be represented
on our National Board, various associate members have retired.
Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go to all of them for
their invaluable services rendered and time devoted to our industry
interests. Peter Jones of the law firm Paterson,
McDougall in Toronto, for some fifteen years on our Board and legal
mentor to many of us; Norm Loiseau of Canada Maritime
Agency and our expert on Dangerous Goods; Karl-Heinz Legler,
a past President of our Association and long time member of our
board and finally Gerry Giroux, President of Canada
Maritime Insurance who was always willing to keep us informed on
transport related insurance issues. It speaks highly of each
individual that they all expressed interest and willingness to
continue with their ongoing support of our Association. Thank you
again, Peter, Norm, Karl and Gerry!
But
when 'one door closes, another opens' and we are delighted with the
high caliber of people we have been able to attract to our Board. A
sincere Welcome to all of you and may you find your time at the helm
of our Association a most rewarding and beneficial one:
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Anders Fisker
President
FCI - Fisker Cargo Inc., Toronto
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Peter Schwerdt
President,
GeoLogistics Inc., Toronto
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Pat Cullen
Vice
President, Rodair Inc., Toronto
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John Brett
Manager,
Federated Freight Services, Toronto
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John DiCorpo*
Vice
President, Tower Group International, Montreal
(* John DiCorpo replaces Joe Kachami, Montreal
who had to resign due to work
pressures.)
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| ICC
Air Cargo - a new All Canadian Freighter Service |
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As of mid June, ICC International Cargo Charters Canada Ltd. has begun
all- freighter services with nightly domestic flights between the
cities of Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The services are
offered through a converted Airbus AB300B4 with a payload of close to
45 tons and 408 cubic meters of volume. The flights are operated on a
daily basis between Mondays and Fridays.
More information can be gleaned from their
WEBsite: http://www.iccgateway.com
or by calling 905-672-7223 in Eastern Canada and 604-244-8000 in
Western Canada
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| INCOTERMS
and Insurance under CIF and CIP |
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Unfortunately, Incoterms 2000 has not addressed a major flaw under the
above mentioned terms. It is still a fact - and too often missed -
that under the Incoterms - past and present - the seller needs only to
arrange for Insurance coverage under the 'Institute Cargo Clauses C (ICC-C)
- or of a comparable scheme of conditions'. This means that the seller
only needs to guarantee minimum cargo coverage. Minimum insurance
coverage means that it only covers the total loss of the shipment and,
in the case of CIF, requires insurance to arrival port only!
It
is thus highly recommended that member companies double-check with
their customers whether or not the Insurance coverage arranged through
their sellers is on an 'all risk, door-to-door basis'.
The
Incoterms 2000 book can be purchased from the Canadian Council of
International Business, #501, 350 Spark Street, Ottawa, K1R 7S8
Tel. 613-230-5462 fax 613-230-7087 www.ccib.org
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| Probability
high on imposition of trade requirements for Solid Wood Packing
Material (SWPM) |
The international concern with the proliferation of insect pests and
fungi has intensified substantially. Alone in Canada, the CFIA has
found the intrusion of 40 insect pests and fungi contained primarily
in or on solid wood packing material. Various countries (EU and
Russia, China, Brazil, Australia/New Zealand) have already imposed
trade requirements for SWPM and the likelihood of more joining
within the next months is very high.
Members
are urged to draw their client’s attention to the issue at hand
and to pay particular attention to SWPM being free of bark and grub
holds. Adherence today may well prevent tougher rules in future!
It
is in the best interest of Canadian exporters to ensure that they use
wood packaging material that is of high quality and is free from
insects, disease and bark. With these simple requirements Canadian
exports will continue to be welcome worldwide!
There
are two informative CFIA web sites for those that require more
information:
www.agr.ca
and www.cfiaacia.agr.ca/english/plant/forest/home_e.html
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| Avoid
L/C dealings with the International Commercial Bank of Cathay (Canada) |
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In a more recent incidence, the above mentioned bank rejected the
submission of a FIATA Bill of Lading as a Marine Bill of Lading under
a Letter of Credit transaction. This despite the intervention of FIATA
in Zurich and our suggestion to further clarify the issue with the
Canadian Bankers Association as well as our reference to the UCP 400
& 500 of the International Chamber of Commerce!
The
bank has steadfastly refused to engage in a constructive dialogue with
the Canadian Bankers Association, or to simply acknowledge the
authority of the ICC and their ruling. Under the circumstances, we
advise all members to strongly suggest alternative banks to their
clientele that do employ staff sufficiently knowledgeable in dealing
with FIATA Bills of Lading.
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| Filing
Your GST/HST Returns by Phone |
A fast, free, and easy way to file your Goods and Services /
Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) returns is coming your way.
Beginning May 1, 2000, GST/HST TELEFILE will be offered in
the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency will pilot this new
service allowing selected business clients to file their GST/HST
returns that have a nil balance or refund of $10,000.00 or less, by
telephone.
GST/HST
TELEFILE is a secure and confidential service that is being offered
to business clients on an invitation only basis. Registrants must
have at least a one year GST/HST filing history, among other
criteria, to be selected to use the service.
If you are selected you will be provided with a GST/HST
TELEFILE Access Code, which will be preprinted on the personalized
GST/HST return that is mailed to you.
Filing
your GST/HST return with GST/HST TELEFILE is as easy as making a
1-800 phone call. To
use this service you must have the use of a push-button
(tone-signaling) phone with touch-tone service.
Then all you need to do is simply complete your GST/HST
return and call the toll-free number. From there, you follow the automated voice directions to
enter the information from your return using the telephone keypad.
GST/HST TELEFILE confirms all of your calculations. When you
have finished entering all your data, and you indicate that you want
to file your GST/HST return, GST/HST TELEFILE gives you a
confirmation number.
The
GST/HST TELEFILE service is available six days a week.
From Monday to Friday, the hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to
8:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time in
the participating provinces. GST/HST TELEFILE is not available on Sundays or Federal
Government Statutory Holidays.
For
more information on GST/HST TELEFILE, visit the Canada Customs and
Revenue Agency web site at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/gsthst-telefile
or telephone: 1-877-322-7849
(English) 1-877-322-7852
(French)
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| The
History of FIATA - Part VI |
The FIATA Congress Antwerp 1930
The FIATA Congress in 1930 took place in
Antwerp. From the reports in our hands we noted amongst others the
following details:
The organising committee under the
leadership of Mr de Ryckere was very active in the preparations of
the Congress. It was noted with pleasure that a delegation of the
French Federation with President, Mr Hector L'Herbier will
participate the first time in a FIATA Congress. It was expected that
the participation of the French freight forwarders will improve the
activities of the Federation through the input of new ideas and
assist to stimulate its attractiveness for the few, still
outstanding organisations.
At the meeting of the Board of the
Federation on June 5, 1930, Mr Paul Lehmann (Denmark) as President,
and Messrs. Josef Albert de Ryckere (Belgium), Hans Blum (Germany),
Dr. Paul Dumont (Switzerland), and Stefan Karpeles-schenker
(Austria) as Vice-Presidents and all Board members have been
reconfirmed for another term of office of 2 years.
At the 3rd General Assembly which followed
the Board meeting, the FIATA President, Mr Paul Lehmann opened the
congress by speaking the French language in recognition of the
Belgian organiser. He stated that since its foundation four years
ago a lot has been reached but there is still a lot to do especially
as regards the duties of the federation to find the relevant
satisfactorily solutions on various points.
In the deliberations it was decided to
leave unchanged the level of the annual subscriptions. Furthermore
the "Verein Rigaer Spediteure", "Vereinigung der
bulgarischen Spediteure" and the "British Association of
Shipping and Forwarding Agents", London (to replace the London
Shipping and Forwarding Agents' Conference) were definitely admitted
to FIATA.
Then the question of international
applicable freight forwarders conditions elaborated by the Secretariat
of the Federation was raised. A very interesting discussion arised
regarding this draft. It was decided to submit them to the member
associations for discussion but also requesting that each organisation
is elaborating national condition, which shall be in line with the
submitted proposal. All local conditions shall be sent to the
Secretariat and then submitted to the next General Assembly. A
presentation regarding the uniform definition of the freight forwarder
services was very welcome. It was decided that each association
establishes a Committee to collect the definitions already used in its
country, in order to define the final wording and its services offered
behind them. The results shall be submitted to the Secretariat to
reach a uniform definition.
A proposal regarding a negotiable rail
waybill found a special interest. Based on this submission the
federation, after longer discussion, denied this idea because based on
the services of the banks and the freight forwarders, railway bill of
ladings are unnecessary and they will be an additional burden for the
railways and additional work. Another delegate referred to a decision
of the League of Nations made in 1923 regarding the simplification of
customs clearance which has not gone further than being a piece of
paper. The General Assembly decided to participate in this task under
condition that also the interest of the freight forwarders will be
taken into account. At this occasion it was also stated that the
central government shall refrain from intervening in the activity of
the freight forwarders. Instead it is expected that the public bodies
are taking the necessary steps to protect and support the important
industry of the freight forwarders.
The General Assembly then was invited to
the town hall by the Mayor of Antwerp, Mr Van Cauwelaert hall for a
drink of honour. He welcomed the participants of the FIATA Congress
and remembered the importance of trade in general and the freight
forwarders in special. He wished the Congress a lot of success which
was answered by many thanks of the President, Mr Paul Lehmann.
Afterwards a tour through the different rooms decorated with
magnificent pictures of Flemish painters and artistic fresco closed
this memorable reception.
The deliberations have then gone on and
reports regarding an uniform transport insurance policy by an
international co-operation of transport insurers have been made. It
was decided to follow carefully the relevant steps. With applause the
delegates on invitation of the Hungarian Association defined as venue
for the next FIATA Congress the city of Budapest. Finally the
President of FIATA thanked all delegates for the participation and the
organising committee for the excellent work done in favour of the
federation.
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| Fiata
Legal Handbook |
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In the next few months FIATA will embark on a rewrite of the FIATA
Legal Handbook on Forwarding.
CIFFA has been asked to contribute to a new chapter,
“Frequently Asked Questions”.
Questions such as “Can I withhold delivery to a consignee on
an express cargo/sea waybill if requested to do so by the issuing
agent?” and “If an importer presents an original ‘freight
prepaid’ B/L, but our foreign agent who issued the B/L has requested
we hold the cargo as freight has not bee paid, can we do so?” are
examples of such FAQs.
Your assistance in supplying some FAQs
would be invaluable. If
members are interested in submitting such questions, please email them
to admin@ciffa.com
by September 22nd .
Please make the questions as “generic” as possible,
avoiding issues that would be regional.
Thank you for your support with this
project.
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| Dates
of Future World Congress Meetings |
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FIATA World Congress 2000 Rotterdam September 24 – 29, 2000
FIATA World Congress 2001 Cancun October 13 – 17, 2001
FIATA World Congress 2002 Istanbul October
2002
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| Virtual
Reality V Physical Presence |
(Abstract from Cargoweek 2000 Presentation delivered in Vancouver on
April 05, 2000 by Rob Morris of SGS Canada Inc.)
Changes that are taking place
revolutionizing the way we do business. To understand this we must
first analyze traditional logistics models super-impose recent
trends and then forecast what the future holds.
Companies that do this well will survive and prosper; others
will survive and show loss of growth whereas other will fall on hard
times. In presenting these views it is necessary to briefly touch on
the evolution of the logistics services groups in general, including
support services such as SGS. This
will include the race to have a global network of in-house offices,
to forming alliance partners.
The term Virtual has two meanings within the context of this
text. One meaning for
project alliances where each company integrates their global network
with the other, (such as SGS with Freight Forwarding companies), and
the other meaning relating to the intangible e-commerce environment.
E-commerce is having a major impact on the supply chain via
Internet Trade Portals highlighting the steps companies need to
consider to enter this new arena. Finally, it is important to
identify the implications of these changes on risk management for
all concerned and illustrate how SGS has adapted to these changes to
emerge as a leader in this mode of trade.
This is where linking the Virtual and the Physical activities
to provide a comprehensive B2B and D2D service truly has benefits to
the customer and seller.
All our business’s are changing rapidly,
putting pressure on us all to innovate, re-engineer and look for new
ways to package our services to stay ahead of the competition.
In to-days global marketplace projects and contracts are not
won by engineering excellence alone, financing arrangements more
commonly win the larger jobs.
The logistics provider and other service providers are the
ones that determine profitability.
Project delivery dates are always tight with penalties for
late delivery increasing in magnitude.
Companies are procuring from none traditional sources adding
unknown factors to production quality and production scheduling.
Added to this, the damage and loss factor can have a
catastrophic impact on the final project delivery date.
More than ever each activity is on the critical path. Any
breakdown in the chain of delivery can cause a cascading effect that
can wipe out profitability for the logistics team in an instant.
Total Logistics Services – all commonly used terms in the
industry today
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Global Logistics
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Global Network
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Global Resources
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Global Communications Systems
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Global Procurement
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Global Transportation
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Global Assessment / Verification
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Global Inspection / Certification
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Global Marketplace / Connectivity
Is bigger better?
Is in-house or alliance arrangement better?
Can we be everything, to everyone, everywhere, every-time?
The answer is clearly NO.
Large Projects or contracts appear quickly requiring short
mobilization periods and equally short demobilization periods when
the contract approaches completion.
This adds strain and resource costs to the operations of
Freight Forwarders and support service providers such as SGS.
When alliances start or clients thrust two companies together
the courtship can be painful the first time until each company
learns how to work together and play off each other’s strengths.
The old way is to develop the expertise in-house.
Progressive companies have formed alliances with value added
team players. In the
future for some markets the emphasis will change to the client
choosing who and how he wishes to complete transactions.
Companies that do not make this shift will encounter some
hardships in certain marketplaces.
Trends now show Team alliances are winning more of the larger
assignments due to sharing resources, focusing on core activities,
sharing liability and risk. This
is the “virtual project team
the question that must be asked is, can we do this ourselves
better than teaming with a company that specializes in this region
or activity.
Virtual Services
In essence the
“Virtual Services” are the back office functions that support
the Physical tasks to service a transfer of goods.
Project Team Alliances Offline relates to support groups in a
number of offices sharing information through compatible
communications systems, seamlessly.
In this model non- dedicated resources can be utilized on a
global basis. In
an Online environment using an Internet web portal the trade portal
controls the buyer / seller relationship, where as in more
traditional work the Logistics Provider would have this role.
This is a significant change that each and every company has
to assess to understand the impact on their operations.
Physical Presence
Unless someone invents a star trek system
for beaming goods from one location to another all the physical
activities related to handling, storing and transporting the goods
will still be required. Buyers
will continue to want a confidence factor in their seller and to
ensure that the status is on schedule. He will always want
confidence that the company exists and the goods he is buying have
been loaded in compliance with his order.
These factors are fundamental to create trust between all the
parties irrespective of whether the sale is via a traditional mode,
or via an Internet exchange or auction site.
There are some fundamental differences in how this is
achieved in our traditional Offline method of working to that
completed via an online vehicle. Hopefully the text that follows
will illustrate this more clearly.
Traditional Supply Chain
Without going into detail the complex and
congested multi tasking that is required when servicing a clients
needs, with global procurement and emerging markets makes up the
operational functionality of a total logistics provider.
This includes the prime functions of transportation, storage
and handling of the goods supported by insurance, customs brokerage,
inspection, testing and certification services. This is what you all
do and understand so well so there is no need for elaboration.
When you look at the interfaces that exist when goods or
documents are transferred between parties it is not difficult to
understand why controls are required to ensure all the necessary
steps have been completed to the buyers satisfaction.
The system is only as strong as the weakest link.
Any breakdown of communication or service can result in a
total loss of profitability.
When we look at the fierce level of competition resulting in
tight margins and the efforts we all put in to win this work it is
essential that all activities work smoothly.
One area that is becoming relatively common is innovative
methods of financing. This
adds more controls and milestones for release of finances, changes
in liability and changes in custody.
Independent monitoring or auditing is one of the methods of
servicing complex projects of this kind.
Virtual Trade
In
the e-commerce environment there is a shift in the roles each party
plays. Here there is a
completely new party in the transaction “ the trade portal”.
They control the relationship between the buyer and the
seller. A lot has been
written recently on this topic and how this has impacted the supply
chain. With B2B (Business to Business), D2D (Door to Door), or Total
Logistics provider, disinter mediation takes place taking out a
number of the middlemen in the supply chain.
Trade from a non-developed country to a developed nation can
best illustrate this. The
non-developed nation traditionally supplies goods very cheaply to an
intermediary or a number of intermediaries that mark up the price by
factors of 100’s of %.
In the future the supplier will be able to sell direct at a
lower cost to the consumer and gain a significantly higher price for
his goods. Portals
will command large volumes of trade and will be able to form
partnerships with Logistics and support service providers. At this
point it is a form of business that will grow along side our
traditional business. The growth projections however are staggering..
As I have said before each and every one of
us needs to evaluate the impact on our business and monitor it
closely.
SGS E-commerce Trade Portal Partners
Each of you has read up on this new
phenomenon and you have seen the high volume of venture capital that
is being injected into e-commerce initiatives.
Figures in the range of
$20 - 50M USD for such a venture is not considered abnormal.
Some of you are already extremely active in this field or
eager to play a role. SGS
launched their E-commerce initiative at Davos in January 2000.
Below you can find some information in the public domain
related to the portals we have already partnered with.
VLINX.com
FasTurn.com
MeetChina.com
i2i.com
Rebound.com
PaperExchange.com
In addition we have in excess of 100 other
B2B portals both Horizontal and Vertical that have registered an
interest to have SGS integrated with their portal site.
Trade Facilitation and Risk Management
Trade Facilitation and Risk Management
remain a fundamental component in the delivery of traditional
services. In the
new e-commerce arena issues related to confidence and trust become
more critical as there will be more players knowing less about each
other. This larger
degree of anonymity has been addressed by SGS through its Vendor
Rating Program. Now more
than ever before independent monitoring and certification is a
component of the trading loop.
Buyers are still looking for all our traditional services to
limit the risks and liabilities that exist in this business.
In the new business environment where buyers and sellers are
doing more themselves and trading through secure auction and exchange
sites, companies and their products need to be identified as having
the capability to trade and deliver the products they product to the
required quality. The steps and developments that SGS has taken to
transfer our traditional services to the web environment are
identified below : www.SGSonsite.com
Please take the time to access the website
of SGSonsite to learn more.
Vendor Rating Program, Seals etc. (Seal classification indicating a level of
quality and capability)
SGSonsite.specsheet(Product Specification Documentation
Verification)
SGSonsite.sample(SGS ensures samples are available for
dispatch to global buyers)
SGSonsite.sampling (SGS will visit vendors globally and obtain
independent samples)
SGSonsite.inspection(SGS verify goods have been produced to
spec and are ready for shipment)
The above set of tools can be ordered
directly through the web portal on an as required basis to suit the
trading transaction needs.
Buyers and Vendors can complete a transaction process knowing
SGS will be present as an independent third party, verifying that the
goods match those declared by the vendor at the time of ordering.
As you can see the detail to operate on these e-marketplace
sites is maturing fast.
Corporate and Canadian Profile
SGS has 30,000 employees in 140 countries
with 1240 offices and 389 laboratories.
Our purpose is primarily to reduce risk and add confidence to
buyers and sellers. In
this role we work closely with other trade facilitation service
providers such as, Freight Forwarders, Warehouses, Suppliers,
Manufacturers, Consolidation Centers, Insurance Companies, Financial
Institutions, Government Customs Authorities, in-fact all parties in
the supply chain. SGS has held a strong presence across Canada since
1948. In Western Canada we have recently invested $1.0M in a
multi-disciplinary Laboratory in Vancouver (on Thursday this week we
are hosting a technical visit tour of this facility for anyone
interested. In addition
we have laboratories and offices in Prince Rupert and Kitimat, and an
Agricultural facility in the Grain Exchange in Winnipeg.
In Ontario we have our Head Office, Exploration and
Pharmaceuticals Laboratories. In
Eastern Canada we have a multi-disciplinary Laboratory in Montreal, a
laboratory in Quebec City, a facility in Point Tupper Nova Scotia
specializing in Oil and Gas and a laboratory in St John New Brunswick.
As you can see we are positioned near all the major ports,
airports and freight forwarder facilities.
For more information please contact Rob
Morris, General Manager, SGS Canada Inc.
Email: rmorris@sgsgroup.com
Website: www.sgs.ca
Tel: 905-676-9595 Fax: 905-676-8391
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| Notice
to Shippers and Consignees - I.F.P. effective 1ST September
2000 |
|
CANADA U.K. AND CANADIAN NORTH ATLANTIC WESTBOUND FREIGHT CONFERENCES
CANADIAN CONTINENTAL EASTBOUND AND
WESTBOUND FREIGHT CONFERENCES
INTERIM FUEL PARTICIPATION (I.F.P.)
The Member Lines wish to advise that with
effect from September 1st, 2000 the following I.F.P. levels will
apply:
20 foot containers US $61.00
40 foot containers US $122.00
Fuel prices will continue to be monitored
and the I.F.P. will be adjusted as necessary.
MEMBER LINES
Atlantic Container Line AB,
Canada Maritime Limited, Cast Group Ltd.,
Hapag-Lloyd Container
Linie GMB, Orient Overseas Container Line (U.K.) LimitedWebsite: http://www.canconf.com
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| CPR
International -
Grain rate levels 2000/2001 |
Please be advised that the inland rate levels effective for the 2000-2001 crop year have been amended as follows:
Effective: August 1, 2000
Expires: July 31, 2001
Charges in Dollars Per Container
| From Station |
To Station |
20 Foot |
40 Foot |
Route |
| AB Calgary IMS |
BC Vancouver Wharf IMS |
527 |
618 |
0001 |
| AB Edmonton IMS |
|
527 |
618 |
0001 |
| SK Regina IMS |
|
841 |
957 |
0001 |
| SK Saskatoon IMS |
|
823 |
937 |
0001 |
| MB Winnipeg IMS |
|
1050 |
1194 |
0001 |
Routing: 0001 - CPRS
Tariff authority: CPRS 7589
The carriers reserve the right to move containers in multiples of Two 20-foot units (or equivalent) per car.
Containers loaded with more than 48000 lbs/20' and 60000 lbs/40' will be subject to excess charge of $129.00 per container.
Rates are exclusive of pick-up and delivery service and rail terminal service charges.
Rates do not apply to CPRS station 9714 "Vancouver IMS, BC"
Charges in dollars per container
| From Station |
To Station |
20
Foot |
40
Foot |
Route |
| AB Calgary IMS |
PQ Montreal wharf IMS |
1486 |
2104 |
0001 |
| AB Edmonton IMS |
|
1489 |
2107 |
0001 |
| SK Regina IMS |
|
1291 |
2266 |
0001 |
| SK Saskatoon IMS |
|
1289 |
2207 |
0001 |
| MB Winnipeg IMS |
|
1010 |
1739 |
0001 |
Routing: 0001 - CPRS
Tariff authority: CPRS 7589
The carriers reserve the right to move containers in multiples of two 20-foot units (or equivalent) per car
Containers loaded with more than 48000 lbs/20' and 60000 lbs/40' will be subject to excess charge of $129.00 per container.
Rates are exclusive of pick-up and delivery service and rail terminal service charges.
Containers destined to Montreal wharf are also subject to a National Harbours Board
(NHB) switch charge of $11.28 per 20 foot container and $22.56 per 40 foot container..
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| Press
Releases |
|
Airline Marketing Group Inc. (AMG) is pleased to
announce that effective April 1, 200 they began representing Singapore
Airlines Cargo in serving the Eastern Canadian Markets.
Through AMG, road feeder service will be available to connect
Eastern Canada with SIA’s wide-body and freight service from both
Chicago and New York. For
more details call 1800-250-7967.
On the news that Canada 3000 has received approval
from Transport
Canada to become a designated scheduled air carrier from Canada
to the U.K. and Germany, Stephen Davis, Vice President of Airline
Marketing Group Inc., Canada 3000's worldwide cargo GSA said,
“We are delighted with the news, as it will enable us to
offer
year-round frequency, and improved capacity to all our British
and German shippers”. For
further information contact
info@airlinemarketing.com
or telephone (905) 672-3000.
China Shipping Container Line Arrives in Canada
China
Shipping Container Line, the newest entrant into the
Canadian-Trans-Pacific trade started it’s container service into
Vancouver with a slot charter agreement with Zim Container Line this
past April. They will also introduce an independent service with the
arrival of 3200 TEUs vessel M/V Edinburgh on July 11th.
TEUs vessels will operate a weekly fixed day service between
Zaimen-Yantin-Hong Kong-Kwayngyang-Long Beach-Vancouver-Yokohama-Zaimen-Yantin-Hong
Kong.
For
more information you can contact Mr. Bernie A. Dumas, G. M. Sales
& Market at Tel. (604) 331-7326 or email bdumas@chinashiping.yk.ca
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Return to
Table of Contents |
| Welcome
New Members |
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| |