Customs-related delays raise hackles

A fight is brewing over port stoppages on the Far East route as border police deny they are to blame and more fingers are being pointed at shipping lines. While port stoppages on the route are nothing new – especially in light of authorities struggling to control illegal and questionable imports into South Africa – there has been a definite increase in stoppages often resulting in delays of up to two weeks. Colin Atkins, managing director of World Cargo Services, one of the regular NVOs serving the Far East routes, says it is not uncommon to find up to 15 clients’ cargo in a single Far East groupage container and all will suffer the delay and additional costs if just one client’s cargo is identified for inspection by border police. But, says Atkins, these delays and costs need to be carefully looked at since it would appear some players are milking the system for their own financial benefit at the expense of importers – and the border police are taking the blame. “We all have to acknowledge that Sars’ systems have improved dramatically over the years and stoppages from their side, while still frequent on cargo from the Far East, are generally quite efficient,” he says. “Border police stoppages on the other hand have caused tremendous frustration as cargo can be held for up to two weeks, with exorbitant storage and other costs being incurred.” He said in October the Durban border police had called a meeting with role-players in the industry where they took the f lak from all sides. “NVOs and freight forwarders were very vocal in their complaints, with the single biggest complaint raised at the meeting being the selection of licensed unpack depots for stopped cargo. SAPS clearly said they would happily inspect at any Sarslicensed unpack depot,” said Atkins. “It followed that while we have all been venting our frustration towards SAPS for exorbitant charges levied as a result of stoppages, in fact there may just be service providers out there who are milking the system for their own financial benefit.” Atkins said the meeting with the border police clearly showed that the excuse regularly offered to NVOs and freight forwarders – that SAPS stoppages were uncontrollable – was not really valid. “The lines’ selected unpack depots happily list the costs as the days tick by while SAPS carries the blame for the delay and the subsequent incurred costs – when SAPS was happy to inspect at a Sars-licensed depot. Of course not all the lines are at fault and many have happily supported the request to move stopped containers to NVOs’ licensed unpack depots of choice where it all goes quickly and smoothly and charges are limited.” Atkins says while the border police are by no means blameless, they admitted their own faults and he walked away from the meeting understanding the border police’s position much better. “They admitted there were faults and asked for help from affected parties on how to improve the situation. That should be commended,” he said. INSERT & CAPTION There has been a definite increase in stoppages, often resulting in delays of up to two weeks with exorbitant storage costs. – Colin Atkins