[040111.EN.SEA] Maersk Delays EU Customs Manifest Fee From January 1 to 15

DENMARK's Maersk Line has announced that it will postpone the collection of a fee from January 1 to January 15 for added costs in complying with new European customs rules demanding advanced manifests.

The US$25 fee per bill of lading will be applied later to allow customers to acclimatise themselves with the new rule, that demand carriers provide entry summary declarations to the first EU port of call 24 hours before cargo is loaded on EU-bound ships.

But Maersk also announced it will levy a $40 per bill of lading cargo declaration amendment fee as of February 1 for EU-bound cargo. The fee is applicable "every time a transport document is amended," the line said.

Other lines planning to make similar charges are French shipping giant CMA CGM with a $25 charge per bill of lading and the Danish Unifeeder Line, which will levy a $30 charge on the same basis.

Said CMA CGM: "This regulation generates additional costs, as it will have an impact on its day-to-day operation and administration. CMA CGM bears the fixed IT and administrative costs of interfacing with EU customs, either directly or through third-party providers."

Said Unifeeder: "The vessel operator is responsible for lodging an entry summary declaration (ENS) for all goods discharged in an EU port, including transhipment goods and those remaining onboard. This demand will have a considerable cost impact on the feeder operator[s]." 

Source : HKSG, 04.01.11.